At the Faculty of Engineering and Science, AAU Energy, one or more positions as PhD stipend is available within the general study program. The stipend is open for appointment from September 1, 2026, or soon hereafter. The duration of the position is three years, and it is funded in the new European Research Council (ERC) Synergy grant on Store-and-Forward Energy grid (SAFEr Grid), which unlocks a new power grid architecture. This project will be held in collaboration with RWTH Aachen, Germany.
The position is offered in relation to the research group "Reliability of Power Electronic Converters" and the PhD Student will be positioned to the section for “Applied Power Electronic Systems”.
Your work tasks
Asynchronous grids (a-grids) decouple synchronous power systems into multiple compartments with energy routers acting as the bridge. This fundamentally departs from frequency acting as the global stability metric and instead focuses on energy routed between the a-grids. This requires substantial coordination of signals using cyber-physical modelling theories and internet connectivity integrated into the control of a-grids. However, there will be latency, packet drop-outs in the cyber layer that may trigger instability locally.
This poses the following key research questions for the power grid community:
- Without frequency, how can we ensure local stability of asynchronous grids in coordination with global power systems behaviour?
- How will the control interactions between power electronics within an asynchronous grid be
managed? - How will delay, link failure in communication layer affect local stability of asynchronous grids?
- How to mitigate cyber-induced issues and manage them to organize global system stability?
As this project departs fundamentally from frequency as a global stability metric, the aim of this PhD project is to firstly conceptualize and model new local stability metrics for asynchronous grids. This will require design of new control structures that coordinate power electronics using internet acting as the cyber layer. The control interactions and stability analysis under different delays, link failure and inconsistencies within the cyber layer must be studied with its implications on the asynchronous grid layer. Finally, these studies will be carried out within each and across asynchronous grids to improve the energy routing schemes and forecasting of energy buffers across them. These studies need to be carried out under dynamic as well as contingent conditions in power grids.
Your competencies
Applicants are required to have an excellent academic background with a master’s degree or equivalent in Energy Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mathematics, Control theory, Cyber-physical systems, or any other related discipline, potentially with skills in Power Electronics. Applicants who are in the final phase of their master’s degree are also encouraged to apply but have to complete the master before starting the fellowship.
You have a solid academic foundation in power systems, control theory or power electronics, and an interest in working across disciplinary boundaries, including aspects of communication networks and cyber-physical systems. Experience with modelling and simulation tools such as MATLAB, PLECS or PSCAD is an advantage, as is familiarity with distributed control, communication in engineering systems, or smart energy technologies.
You are motivated to carry out research that combines theoretical development with system-level
understanding, and you are able to approach complex problems in a structured and analytical manner. You take responsibility for your own progress while contributing actively to collaborative research efforts, and you are comfortable working in an international and interdisciplinary environment.
You communicate clearly in English, both in writing and orally, and you are able to present your work to different audiences, including researchers from other disciplines and external collaborators.
Qualification requirements
PhD stipends are allocated to individuals who hold a Master's degree. PhD stipends are normally for a period of 3 years. It is a prerequisite for allocation of the stipend that the candidate will be enrolled as a PhD student at the Doctoral School of Engineering and Science in accordance with the regulations of Ministerial Order No. 1124 of September 19, 2025 on the PhD Programme at the Universities and Certain Higher Artistic Educational Institutions. According to the Ministerial Order, the progress of the PhD student shall be assessed at regular points in time. As part of the PhD study, you are among other things required to complete PhD courses corresponding to 30 ECTS, gain experience with teaching or other forms of knowledge dissemination and complete an external research stay outside of Aalborg University, preferably 3-6 months at a foreign research institution.
Who we are
AAU Energy is a research department at Aalborg University dedicated to the development of clean and sustainable energy systems. Our activities cover electrical, thermal and mechatronic energy technologies, and we work closely with industrial partners and other academic environments to address real‑world energy challenges.
The department is located in both Aalborg and Esbjerg, and this position is based at the Aalborg campus.
AAU Energy employs around 250 staff members at different career stages and from a broad range of national backgrounds. This creates an international and interdisciplinary research environment with many opportunities for collaboration and knowledge sharing. English is widely used as the working language in research and teaching, which makes it straightforward for international colleagues to integrate.
We offer access to advanced laboratory and workshop facilities and an environment where you can develop your academic profile through research, teaching and collaboration with both Danish and international external partners. As a workplace we value a collegial and inclusive culture with room for professional discussion, initiative and mutual support in everyday life. New colleagues, whether they come from elsewhere in Denmark or from abroad, can draw on the university’s support services related to relocation, housing and practical matters.
You can read more about AAU Energy at www.energy.aau.dk.
How to apply
Your application must include the following:
- Application, stating reasons for applying and qualifications in relation to the position
- Curriculum Vitae (CV)
- Diplomas (bachelor's and master's degree diploma, including grades)
- Project description (4-5 pages), that:
describes the applicant’s initial thoughts and ideas related to the specific project applied for. This includes a brief state-of-the-art (including short list of references), a time schedule and how the applicant intends to shed light on the project objectives. - Other relevant documents
The application must be submitted via Aalborg University’s recruitment system, which can be accessed under the job advertisement on Aalborg University's website.
Aalborg University wants to reflect the surrounding society and has diversity as a core value. Therefore, everyone, regardless of personal background and orientation, is encouraged to apply for the position.
Do you have any questions?
If you have any questions about the position, you are more than welcome to contact us. You will find contact persons at the bottom of the jobpost.
For professional questions, please contact Associated Professor Subham Sahoo,
sssa@energy.aau.dk, +45 9940 7088 or Professor Frede Blaabjerg, fbl@energy.aau.dk, +45 2129
2454.
Selected candidates will be invited for an interview. Interviews are expected to be held during June 2026.
Further information
Read more about our recruitment process here.
The assessment of candidates for the position will be carried out by qualified experts.
Shortlisting will be applied. This means that after the application deadline, the head of the department, with the assistance of the hiring committee, will select the applicants to be assessed. All applicants will be informed whether they have been shortlisted for assessment or not.
The hiring process at Aalborg University may include a risk assessment as a tool to identify potential risks associated with new hires, ensuring the safety, compliance, and integrity of the workplace.
Read more about The Doctoral School of Engineering and Science
Salary and terms of employment
When pursuing a PhD at Aalborg University, you'll receive a stipend which includes both salary
and pension benefits. The base salary starts at a minimum of 31.242,75 DKK before taxes, with an
additional 18,07% added for pension contributions. However, the final salary can be negotiated
based on your qualifications and experience, with seniority playing a key role in determining the
main salary.
Read more about pension options here.
At Aalborg University's Doctoral School, engineering PhD students enjoy unique career
development opportunities. These include personalized DISC profile assessments with feedback,
career-focused courses, and networking events with trade unions, employers, and other relevant
parties. Learn more about these initiatives at our Career Hub.
The employment is in accordance with the Ministerial Order on the Appointment of Academic Staff at Universities (the Appointment Order) and the Ministerial Order on Job Structure for Academic Staff at Universities (in Danish).
Salary and terms of employment are in accordance with the collective agreement between the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations and the state (AC collective agreement) (in Danish)
There is a mutual probationary period of 3 months for the position.
Aalborg University - Knowledge for the world
Aalborg University is an international workplace with more than 3,700 employees. We offer real-world-oriented education and create world-class research results through collaboration between researchers, students, and public and private companies. This is how we achieve insights, new solutions to societal problems, and knowledge that changes the world. Our main campus is in Aalborg, but we also have campuses in Esbjerg and Copenhagen.
