Postdoctoral researcher control

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 team 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.

Within the KU Leuven Electa division and EnergyVille-Etch, the research team led by Prof. Jef Beerten is internationally recognized for pioneering work on HVDC systems, converter modelling, dynamic interactions, grid-forming control, impedance-based stability assessment and future AC/DC transmission networks. The group combines fundamental scientific advances with direct industrial impact and plays an active role in shaping the future of converter-dominated transmission systems.

Responsibilities

The global energy transition is driving an unprecedented deployment of power electronic converters in transmission networks. HVDC interconnections, offshore grids, long underground cable systems and grid-forming technologies are fundamentally changing power system dynamics. Ensuring secure interaction between converters and the surrounding network has therefore emerged as one of the most challenging topics in modern power systems research. We seek an exceptional postdoctoral researcher to develop next-generation methodologies for control design and dynamic stability assessment of converter-dominated AC, DC and hybrid AC/DC systems. Research topics include converter control design, small-signal stability analysis, impedance
- and admittance-based methods, frequency-domain characterization, grid-forming converters, multi-converter interactions, EMT-based validation and scalable modelling approaches bridging EMT and system-level studies. The researcher will contribute scientifically through independent research, supervision of PhD students, publications in leading IEEE journals, participation in international expert groups, and collaboration with industrial partners and transmission system operators.

Profile

You hold a PhD degree in Electrical Engineering or a closely related field and have an outstanding publication record demonstrating scientific excellence. You possess strong expertise in power system dynamics, power electronics, HVDC systems, converter control, stability analysis or related areas. Experience with EMT simulation tools, frequency-domain modelling, real-time simulation or hardware-in-the-loop environments is highly valued. Beyond technical excellence, we seek candidates with intellectual curiosity, scientific creativity and the ambition to become future leaders in the field. You are an excellent communicator, enjoy mentoring junior researchers and can operate effectively in an international research environment.

This position is aimed at researchers who want to define the future of transmission-system dynamics in an increasingly converter-dominated world. The work will place you at the forefront of emerging questions around stability, interoperability and control of large-scale power electronic infrastructures. Outstanding candidates will find an environment that combines scientific freedom, strong industrial relevance and the opportunity to generate lasting impact on the future electricity grid.

Offer

We offer
a unique opportunity to conduct world-leading research at KU Leuven and EnergyVille, one of Europe’s foremost research environments for HVDC technology and future transmission systems. The position provides access to state-of-the-art simulation, real-time and laboratory infrastructure at Etch, close collaboration with industry and transmission system operators, and exceptional opportu