Electrical engineer with expertise in programming embedded hardware applications (CPU, DSP, FPGA), with a keen interest in power systems and the energy transition.

Requirements:

Available to work in person in Belgium - main work location Genk.Master's degree in Electrical Engineering or similar through experience. Experience with programming embedded hardware (CPU, DSP, and/or FPGA) and/or experience in real-time simulation for power systems and HVDC grids.Experience with Python (or similar).Some knowledge of power systems.Fluent in English.Desirable:
Experience with power systems, HVDC, and/or digital substations. Experience with communications protocols (e.g. within a control system or for substation applications).Practical experience in real-time simulation and lab testing of control and/or protection systems (OPAL RT, RTDS,…). Experience in EMT simulation tools (e.g. PSCAD) for transient power system studies.

KU Leuven seeks an engineer to contribute to the simulation and implementation of high impact research and development projects relating to the control and protection of HVDC grids and digital substations. The role is suited to applicants with a background in embedded hardware applications, more specifically the programming of CPU, DSP, and FPGA applications and/or with a background in real-time power system simulation. Applicants should have a keen interest in contributing to power systems research with high relevance to the energy transition. According to your experience and interests you would be performing real-time simulation studies with control-hardware-in-the-loop, using both the real-time simulation platforms of RTDS and OPAL-RT, and/or developing control and protection hardware solutions for laboratory use. Therefore, you would be expected to pick up new software environments and tools quickly. Furthermore, given that some tasks require the automation of new testing processes, some level of programming (e.g. Python) is therefore required. This position offers the chance to work within a dynamic team of researchers while also providing the autonomy to manage individual tasks. Your skills will be used in a range of exciting projects, such as working towards HVDC protection relays, HVDC converter controls, automation in digital substations, and more generally in the functional testing of power system controls in a simulated power system. 

The position is initially offered as a 1 year contract, after which there are several optionsfor continuation based on performance, including the possibility for long-term opportunities. The position level will be awarded according to the candidate’s experience and profile, ranging from junior to senior technician.

KU Leuven boasts a rich tradition of education and research that dates back six centuries. The university’s basic research orientation has always been and will remain fundamental research. At the same time, the university remains vigilantly open to contemporary cultural, economic and industrial realities, as well as to the community’s needs and expectations. KU Leuven is currently by far the largest university in Belgium in terms of research funding and expenditure (EUR 455.1 million in 2015). KU Leuven conducts fundamental and applied research in all academic disciplines with a clear international orientation. In the Times Higher Education ranking KU Leuven is ranked as the 12th European university, while in the Reuters Top 100 of the World’s most innovative institutions, KU Leuven is listed as the first European university. The ELECTA research group of the Department of Electrical Engineering (ESAT) of KU Leuven performs research on aspects of generation, transmission, distribution and rational use of electrical energy. Topics covered are smart grids, reliable power systems with high penetration of renewable energy sources, HVDC and LVDC, energy markets, integration of renewable energy sources on transmission and distribution. Seven professors lead the group. They manage the research assisted by a teams of senior researchers, post-doctoral researchers and about 50 PhD students. EnergyVille is an association of the Flemish research institutes KU Leuven, VITO, imec and UHasselt in the field of sustainable energy and intelligent energy systems. EnergyVille brings research, development, training and industrial innovation together under one name, in close cooperation with local, regional and international partners. EnergyVille strives to become one of the top five European institutes in innovative energy research. For that reason, the center was embedded in big national and international networks from the start. Employment based at KU Leuven/EnergyVille with range of benefits (e.g. hospitalisation insurance, group insurance, additional holidays, company bicycle, …). 1 year initial fixed-term contract with expectation for continuation following good performance (possibility of long term).If you are immediately employable in all assignments of this position, you will start in grade 7. Promising candidates who cannot yet take up all assignments immediately or still need to go through a specific training programme will start in grade 6. Grade 8 is exceptionally reserved for candidates who can take on additional responsibilities right from the start, due to extensive knowledge and experience.Opportunity to work in state-of-the-art research laboratories with an enthusiastic team and contribute to the application of high impact research as well as industrial projects.The role should start in 2024.Main work location in Genk.

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