PhD Position – Exascale Simulation of Power Grids

Your Job:

With the increasing implementation of controllable grid elements in electricity grids, the complexity of the regulation and control of grid operation has increased significantly. In particular, the increased use of converter-based grid elements brings additional flexibility potentials for grid management, the use of which, however, cannot be trivially determined. For instance, powerful HVDC stations based on VSC technology can have a significant (positive) influence on the AC grid not only by controllable active power flows but also by providing reactive power and other grid services. To be able to handle the increasing complexity of grid planning and operation, one promising approach is the massively parallelized simulation of energy grids using (exascale) supercomputers.

Your areas of research will include among others:

• Modelling and analysis of power grids
• Develop/Extent a realistic German transmissions system grid model
• Develop GPU-executable, data-lean grid simulation (load flow) to be run on supercomputers
• Contribute to the development of a high throughput computing framework that serves as a basis for an optimization framework

Your tasks will include among others:

• Modelling of power grids
• Supervision of Master and Bachelor students
• Representation in national and international networks
• Presentation of your research results at (international) meetings and conferences, as well as in the form of publications in relevant journals

Your Profile:

• Excellent Masters degree in electrical engineering or comparable
• Very good programming skills (Python/ C++)
• Fluent written and spoken English and/or German
• Excellent ability to work as part of a team and in a cooperative manner
• Independent and analytical style of working

Our Offer:

We work on the very latest issues that impact our society and are offering you the chance to actively help in shaping the change! We offer ideal conditions for you to complete your doctoral degree:

• A highly motivated research group in one of the biggest research centers in Europe
• An excellent scientific and technical infrastructure
• Participation in project meetings and conferences
• Flexible work (location) arrangements, e.g. remote work to a degree
• Further development of your personal strengths, e.g. through an extensive range of training courses; a structured program of continuing education and networking opportunities specifically for doctoral researchers via JuDocS, the Jülich Center for Doctoral Researchers and Supervisors: https://www.fz-juelich.de/en/judocs
• Targeted services for international employees, e.g. through our International Advisory Service

The position is for a fixed term of 3,5 years, where the first half year serves as orientation and probation period. Pay in line with 75% of pay group 13 of the Collective Agreement for the Public Service (TVöD-Bund) and additionally 60 % of a monthly salary as special payment („Christmas bonus“). Further information on doctoral degrees at Forschungszentrum Jülich including our other locations is available at: www.fz-juelich.de/gp/Careers_Docs

In addition to exciting tasks and a collaborative working atmosphere at Jülich, we have a lot more to offer: https://go.fzj.de/benefits

We welcome applications from people with diverse backgrounds, e.g. in terms of age, gender, disability, sexual orientation / identity, and social, ethnic and religious origin. A diverse and inclusive working environment with equal opportunities in which everyone can realize their potential is important to us.