PhD scholarship on Flexibility Characterization and Its use for Grid and Balancing Services - DTU Compute

We are seeking candidates for a 3-year PhD project “Data-Driven Methods for Unlocking Demand-Side Flexibility”. In the future weather-driven energy system consumers and citizens will play an important role through flexible energy use and matching demand to available renewable energy supply. Nonetheless, technical, economic, and societal challenges currently hinder consumer participation in energy markets.

If you want to contribute to the green transition of society, thrive in collaborative teamwork and have ambitions for an academic research career, then you might be our new colleague in our research section ‘Dynamical Systems’ at DTU Compute, where we offer a vibrant and inspiring research community in methodologies for accelerating the green transition by activating the demand-side flexibility.  Your main supervisor will be Professor, Henrik Madsen, Dynamical Systems, DTU Compute.

Responsibilities and qualifications
In your PhD project entitled “Data-Driven Methods for Unlocking Demand-Side Flexibility” you will use data-driven methods to characterize demand-side flexibility using a set of coupled stochastics differential equations or data-driven digital twins. This leads to the Flexibility Functions for a cluster of end-users. You will also be study how the flexibility can be used for grid and balancing services, with a focus on flexibility in low voltage areas. As an important example we will study how flexibility can be used to provide dynamic transformer rating. This includes optimal use of batteries in distribution grids.

Using the concepts of Smart-Energy OS, which is a hierarchy of methods for aggregation, forecasting and control, you will study collaborate on implementation of methods for demand-side flexibility for both grid and balancing services. The concepts include efficient control-based alternatives to classical electricity markets as well as embedded DSO-TSO coordination.  

Besides this, your tasks may include teaching and supervising master students and participation in outreach and dissemination activities of the department commensurate with research at PhD level.

You must have a two-year master's degree (120 ECTS points) or a similar degree with an academic level equivalent to a two-year master's degree. We are seeking candidates with a master’s degree. Preferably, you have documented qualifications around data-driven digital twins, energy systems modelling, forecasting and control.

Some prior knowledge on distribution grids and methods for grid services is preferred.

Moreover, the following qualifications will be considered in the assessment:

• Strong background and interest in dynamic modelling and control
• Skills and experience with time series analysis and formulation of stochastic dynamical models
• Excellent communication skills, both in writing and oral presentation. Preferably you have good skills in Danish and English.
• Open-minded team player, able to work in multidisciplinary and multinational teams
• A longer-term interest in pursuing a research career

About us:
The Dynamical Systems section is part of the Department of Applied Mathematics and Computer Science at the Technical University of Denmark. We strive to be a leading research group on data-driven and stochastic methods in engineering. In addition, we have a dedicated focus on the next generation of methods for smart grids and for accelerating the green transition. This includes also methods for designing hierarchies of energy markets, which respect the dynamics and stochasticity of physics linked to buildings, industry and cities. We do also take leading roles in suggesting new regulatory aspects like dynamic tariffs and energy taxes for accelerating the green transition.  

Approval and Enrolment 
The scholarship for the PhD degree is subject to academic approval, and the candidate will be enrolled in one of the general degree programmes at DTU. For information about our enrolment requirements and the general planning of the PhD study programme, please see DTU's rules for the PhD education . 

Assessment
The assessment of the applicants will be made by a committee consisting of Professor, Henrik Madsen and Head of Section, Senior Researcher, Razgar Ebrahimy.

We offer
DTU is a leading technical university globally recognized for the excellence of its research, education, innovation and scientific advice. We offer a rewarding and challenging job in an international environment. We strive for academic excellence in an environment characterized by collegial respect and academic freedom tempered by responsibility.

Salary and appointment terms
The appointment will be based on the collective agreement with the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations. The PhD position will be fully funded for three years. The funding comes from several national and international external projects. 

The period of employment is 3 years. 

The workplace is primarily DTU Campus, Lyngby, Denmark.

You can read more about career paths at DTU here http://www.dtu.dk/english/about/job-and-career/working-at-dtu/career-paths.

Further information 
Further information including the project description may be obtained from Professor Henrik Madsen, DTU Compute, + 45 20 83 43 04, [email protected] .

You can read more about DTU Compute”at www.compute.dtu.dk.

If you are applying from abroad, you may find useful information on working in Denmark and at DTU at DTU – Moving to Denmark . Furthermore, you have the option of joining our monthly free seminar “PhD relocation to Denmark and startup “Zoom” seminar ” for all questions regarding the practical matters of moving to Denmark and working as a PhD at DTU. 

Application procedure 
Your complete online application must be submitted no later than 1 April 2025 (23:59 Danish time) . Applications must be submitted as one PDF file containing all materials to be given consideration. To apply, please open the link "Apply online", fill out the online application form, and attach all your materials in English in one PDF file . The file must include:

• A letter motivating the application (cover letter)
• Curriculum vitae 
• Grade transcripts and BSc/MSc diploma (in English) including official description of grading scale
• A short PhD project proposal (maximum 2 pages plus references) describing a possible research objective, theoretical framework and intended methodological approach.

You may apply prior to obtaining your master's degree but cannot begin your employment before having received it.

The interviews will be carried out within 2-3 weeks after the application deadline and employment is planned to start in early 2025.

All interested candidates irrespective of age, gender, race, disability, religion or ethnic background are encouraged to apply.

DTU Compute
DTU Compute – Department of Applied Mathematics and Computer Science – is an internationally unique academic environment with 400 employees and 10 research sections spanning the scientific disciplines of mathematics, statistics, computer science, and engineering. We offer education ranging from bachelor's degrees to PhDs and support continuing education, all rooted in these scientific disciplines. We conduct research, teaching, and innovation of a high international standard – producing new knowledge and technology-based solutions to societal challenges. We have a long-term involvement in applied and interdisciplinary research, big data and data science, artificial intelligence (AI), the Internet of Things (IoT), smart and secure societies, smart manufacturing, and life sciences. We also collaborate with other universities, external organisations, and companies both in Denmark and abroad. At DTU Compute, we believe in a diverse and inclusive workplace with a flexible work-life balance. Read more about us at www.compute.dtu.dk . 

Technology for people
DTU develops technology for people. With our international elite research and study programmes, we are helping to create a better world and to solve the global challenges formulated in the UN’s 17 Sustainable Development Goals. Hans Christian Ørsted founded DTU in 1829 with a clear mission to develop and create value using science and engineering to benefit society. That mission lives on today. DTU has 13,500 students and 6,000 employees. We work in an international atmosphere and have an inclusive, evolving, and informal working environment. DTU has campuses in all parts of Denmark and in Greenland, and we collaborate with the best universities around the world.