PhD Scholarship in Power System Modelling - DTU Wind

Would you like to become part of the solution toward green energy transition, by helping develop the methods for modeling future power and energy systems? The Renewable Plants in Energy Systems (RES) section at DTU Wind and Energy Systems is inviting candidates to apply for a PhD in Modelling of power system balancing for future sector-coupled European energy systems. You will get the opportunity to participate and influence the development of advanced power system models for renewable energy integration in collaboration with the top universities and industry in the field of renewable energy and energy system research in Europe and beyond.

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. We develop talent by offering national/European and global networking opportunities, unique research infrastructures, and a collaborative research environment.

Project background

Future European power systems are expected to be driven by a very high share of renewable power plants and will be extremely complex, uncertain environments with rapidly changing characteristics. Simultaneously, the European energy system is also getting more coupled with other energy sectors like heat, gas, transport and industry. Power systems operating in such a sector-coupled energy system will face major challenges with handling the uncertainties from variable renewable energy (VRE) sources like wind and solar power. The power system operators will need to dimension the reserves for balancing these power systems with manual and automatic reserves such as mFRR, aFRR and FCR. This PhD project will model different balancing principles including MARI and PICASSO for the future sector-coupled European energy system and analyze the role of different technologies in provision of these services.

Your research will be part of two research projects called DTWO: Federated Digital Twins for Wind-Offshore and GREAT: GRid Enhancement for Ancillaries in Tomorrow’s power systems , where you will interact with researchers and experts from TotalEnergies and many other research projects partners. This requires good communications skills but also allows you to co-operate with leading European research institutes.

Responsibilities and qualifications

You will be part of a dynamic work environment with a pleasant team atmosphere, where you will have the opportunity to grow and develop your academic, industrial, and personal skills. Besides cutting-edge research, you will collaborate in an industrial research project (GREAT with TotalEnergies) and a European research project (DTWO) allowing you to develop the necessary skills for the next stages of your career.

As a PhD student, you are expected to carry out high-quality research on the modelling of power system balancing process for future sector-coupled European energy systems. The task will include assessment of reserve requirements and characterize the reserve for the future European power systems needed to handle uncertainties from variable renewable energy sources. You will be a part of an international team developing open-source tool - Balancing Tool Chain.

The Department of Wind and Energy Systems gives high value to collaborating with external partners to strengthen the impact of our research. We are leading and contributing to many international IEA Wind Tasks, cooperation with other universities, industry partners, and grid operators.

We are looking for a self-motivated and team-oriented person who thrives in a collaborative environment and enjoys working with complex, multi-disciplinary topics.

In summary, the main tasks of the PhD position are:

• To perform research in power systems balancing with a focus on European power and energy systems
• To disseminate your research in conferences and high-impact journal papers.
• To contribute to the education and supervision of Bachelor and Master students.
• Strong collaboration with industry and academic partners in Europe and globally.

Candidates with the following qualifications will be preferred:

• Educational background in power systems.
• Documented knowledge in optimization in power and energy systems
• Documented knowledge in power and energy markets preferably Nordic and European markets
• Documented knowledge in dynamic modelling of power system
• Knowledge of mathematical optimization.
• Knowledge of AI/ML will be an added advantage.
• Proficiency with optimization tools and software like GAMS, CPLEX
• Proficiency with programming languages preferably Python, Matlab
• Excellent in communication and reporting in English
• Creative, proactive and independent thinking

Prior experience in research in the form of student projects, and capability to work in an interdisciplinary manner are a plus.

The successful candidate must also fulfill the requirements for admission to a PhD program at DTU.

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.

Approval and Enrolment The scholarships for the PhD degree are subject to academic approval, and the candidates 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 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 PhD Guide . The assessment of the applicants will be made by Associate Professor Kaushik Das, Senior Researcher Matti Koivisto, Postdoc Rujie Zhu and Head of the RES section Gregor Giebel.

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 allowance will be agreed upon with the relevant union. The period of employment is 3 years.

The expected starting date is 1st October 2025.

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 may be obtained from Associate Professor Kaushik Das (evan06yscottkdasjosephfrazier@douglas.dkdtu.dkperry.dkrichardson.dk ), and the Head of the RES section Gregor Giebel (uburtonlleematthew16grgi@dtu.dkrichard.dkmoore-reed.dk ).

You can read more about the department at https://wind.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 - “Zoom” webinar ” 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 30 August 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 now", 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 1-page research statement, including figures and references if deemed necessary (max 500 words). Research achievements (if any), methodological approaches and research objectives relevant to the framework of the PhD study are recommended elements to be included.

In the field “Please indicate which position(s) you would like to apply for”, please indicate which project you are applying for (title from the above list of PhD projects or individual research projects).

Incomplete applications will not be considered. You may apply prior to ob­tai­ning your master's degree but cannot begin before having received it.

Applications received after the deadline will not be considered.

All interested candidates irrespective of age, gender, disability, race, religion or ethnic background are encouraged to apply. As DTU works with research in critical technology, which is subject to special rules for security and export control, open-source background checks may be conducted on qualified candidates for the position.

DTU Wind and Energy Systems,** which used to be a division of Risø National Laboratory (until 2012), has undertaken basic research, teaching and commercial activities in all aspects of wind energy since the mid-1970’s. DTU Wind and Energy Systems is now the world’s largest public research institute for wind energy, with 400 staff members. The department is internationally recognized as being in the forefront of wind energy technology and energy systems research. The department has 4 divisions: i) Materials and Components for Wind Energy, ii) Wind Turbine Technology, iii) Wind Energy Systems, and iv) Power and Energy Systems. At the department, we educate and train the next generation of engineers for a sustainable energy future. We collaborate with global leaders in industry and public authorities around the world to research and develop new technologies and services to power the green transition**.

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.