PhD Student: Grøn Energiomstilling ved Hybride Kraftværker - DTU Wind

Ph.D., Naturvidenskab Og Teknik / vedvarende energi / vindenergi / bæredygtighed

Would you like to become part of the solution toward green energy transition, by helping develop the methods for modeling renewable power plants and future 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 “Power System Support from Hybrid Power Plants via Technology-Agnostic Control Architecture ”. The research in this section is multidisciplinary, and you will enjoy the advantages of a creative and inspiring work environment. You will get the opportunity to participate and influence the development of advanced renewable power plants in collaboration with top universities and industry in the field of wind energy 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 infrastructure including a fully controllable MW-scale hybrid power plant at our campus, and a collaborative research environment.

Job profile

This PhD scholarship is fully funded through a recently awarded European Doctoral Network (DN) project funded by the European Union’s Horizon 2020 Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions programme. DN programme provides training through doctoral research to talented early stage researchers. The researchers in this project, called WindConnect, will enroll in PhD programmes and be employed for 36 months within a network of universities and industry partners addressing the design, modelling, control, and techno-economic optimization of wind turbines, wind farms, and hybrid power plants (HPPs). Through this program, 15 Researchers will receive cutting-edge technical, entrepreneurial and soft-skill training, benefiting from industrial secondments, co-supervision, and access to a robust network of industrial partners and advanced experimental facilities.  These efforts empower the next generation of highly skilled researchers and engineers to drive technological innovation, enhance energy security, reinforce Europe’s leadership in green energy technologies, support the transition to a sustainable, decarbonized energy future, and help meet climate targets.

Candidates must meet the following eligibility criteria for researcher recruitment:

They must not already hold a doctoral degree at the time of recruitment and should have less than four years of full-time research experience following the degree that qualifies them for PhD studies. Additionally, candidates must not have resided or carried out their main activity (work or studies) in Denmark for more than 12 months within the 36 months immediately preceding the recruitment date.

Project background

The transition to future renewable energy sources-based power systems is crucial for achieving sustainable and environmentally friendly power generation. Hybrid Power Plants (HPPs) combining multiple generation sources, such as wind power plants, photovoltaic systems, and battery energy storage systems behind a single grid connection point are becoming popular due to their capability to provide additional value for both plant owners and power systems compared to individual renewable technology plants.

Modern renewable energy systems are becoming increasingly complex. Integrating and coordinating various renewable energy assets to provide system services introduces additional layers of complexity and poses significant control challenges — particularly when combining multiple technologies, as is the case in HPPs. Traditional control architectures struggle to coordinate fast, local responses with slower, system-wide actions, often leading to inefficiencies. Communication delays and interoperability issues between different vendors add further challenges.

To address this, the objective of the PhD project is to develop a simplified and scalable control solution for next-generation HPPs, using a two-layer control architecture to streamline operations, reduce communication delays, lower costs, and enhance the reliability, efficiency, adaptability, and overall performance of renewable energy systems

As part of the WindConnect research consortium you will interact with researchers and experts across the network. This requires strong collaboration and communication skills, enabling you to contribute to the ambitious goals of the project. You will also have the opportunity to cooperate with leading European research institutes and are expected to undertake external research stays of approximately 6–9 months at other partners within the consortium.

Responsibilities and qualifications

During your PhD studies, you will model and develop a technology-agnostic control architecture for utility-scale HPPs, enabling direct communication with individual assets.

You are expected to model the state-of-the-art control architecture for utility-scale HPPs, identify its challenges in terms of dynamic performance and grid service provision, develop a new simplified HPP controller, address interoperability issues across control and operational layers, and quantify the performance of the developed controller. Your work will involve both theoretical analysis and simulation-based validation of the proposed control method.

As part of your PhD studies, you will publish your work in reputed journals and present it at peer-reviewed scientific conferences. A detailed project plan will be developed with the supervisors within the first two months after enrolment.

You will also play important supporting role in the deliverables of IEA Wind Task 50 on Hybrid Power Plants.

You will also need to assist in the co-supervision of MSc theses and provide teaching assistance in courses taught at DTU for a limited number of hours.

The successful candidate fulfills the following requirements:

• MSc degree in power system engineering, electrical engineering, control systems or closely related fields.
• Strong foundation in power system dynamics, converter control and control theory
• Experience with modeling and simulation of energy systems (e.g., using MATLAB/Simulink, Python, or similar tools).
• Familiarity with renewable energy technologies such as wind, solar PV, and battery storage.
• Understanding of converter-based generation systems (wind, solar, storage).
• Knowledge of grid integration and system services for renewable energy systems.
• Strong analytical skills and ability to conduct independent theoretical and applied research.
• Proficient skills (written and verbal) in English and ability to work across disciplines and cultures.

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 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 .

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. Starting date is 1st April 2026 (or according to mutual agreement). The position is a full-time position. The period of employment is 3 years. The allowance will be agreed upon with the relevant union.

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 Anca D. Hansen (ssaundersysimsjamie56anca@miller-willis.dkgutierrez.dkdtu.dkthompson-kramer.dk ), Associate Professor Kaushik Das (kdasqshawjames17@johnson-anderson.dkdtu.dkhooper-skinner.dk ) and Head of Section Gregor Giebel (grgijacqueline89amandasmithrguerrero@miller.dkjarvis-johnson.dkdtu.dkbrown-ramos.dk ).

You can read more about DTU Wind at www.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 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 than7 December 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.

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** has led wind energy research, teaching, and commercial activities since the 1970s. With approximately 400 staff, it is the world's largest public research institute dedicated to wind and energy systems transition. Internationally recognized for pioneering wind technology and smart energy systems, the department is structured into four divisions: Materials and Components, Wind Turbine Technology, Wind Energy Systems, and Power and Energy Systems. In close collaboration with industry and public authorities, DTU Wind and Energy Systems develops cutting-edge solutions for a sustainable energy future and trains the next generation of engineers.*

***About the Division** : The Wind Energy Systems division focuses the development of a chain of systems that connects Atmosphere-Plant-Grid-Society. The division is home to several large software projects and datasets that help to disseminate this research to the industry and public.*

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.