Doctoral Researcher (2 positions), Electrical Engineering (Building decentralized, distributed and local micro-grids for decarbonization electrification challenge - IDEAL4GREEN-project)

The University of Vaasa creates an inspiring environment for meaningful work as part of a thriving and diverse university community. Our open-minded, multidisciplinary research responds to the challenges of our time and creates a more responsible future. Our internationally respected education gives students the skills and attitude to change tomorrow. The core of our university is made up of high-level expertise in business sciences, technology and administration and communication sciences. Science-specific research is complemented by our phenomenon-oriented research platforms.

University of Vaasa seeks to hire two (2) Doctoral Researchers to work on the Project: “Building decentralized, Distributed and Local micro-grids for Decarbonization Electrification challenge” (IDEAL4GREEN), offering a training program that covers various aspects, such as advanced technical skills and collaborative communication, critical thinking, problem-solving and adaptability.

These are a fixed term positions for 3 years with a start date at the beginning of September 2025. Trial period of six (6) months applies to all our new employees. Applicants should not have resided in Finland for more than 12 months in the 36 months prior to the recruitment date. 

The position is located in the Electrical Engineering department in School of Technology and Innovations and research team Flexible Energy Resources (FER). The doctoral candidates will work to develop their doctoral thesis in a partner institution.  The two topics below are for the University of Vaasa in collaboration with Danfoss Drives Oy (Vaasa) as the industry partner:

• Doctoral Candidate 14 (DC 14) Topic: Advanced Cybersecure Real-time Control and Protection Strategies for Resilient Hydrogen-Based AC/DC Microgrids. 
  • Objectives: To advance the stability, efficiency, and resiliency of hydrogen-based AC/DC microgrids through the development of novel and cyber secure control, protection and fault control strategies. 
    1. Innovate real-time control strategies (e.g. AI-based) for different type (with/without synchronous generation) of AC/DC microgrids with hydrogen electrolysers and varying amount of inverter-based resources with grid-forming and grid-following control schemes. 
    2. Develop advanced fault behaviour / fault-ride-through solutions (special focus on hydrogen electrolysers) as well as compatible protection & fault management strategies for resilient inverter-based AC/DC microgrids. 
    3. Enhanced cybersecurity consideration as part of developments in 1. and 2. without decreasing the operational performance of the control and fault behavior.
• Doctoral Candidate 15 (DC 15) Topic: Optimized Topology and Sizing Principles & Operational Optimization Strategies for RES+BESS+Hydrogen-Based Microgrids. 
  • Objectives: To improve the cost and energy efficiency, and resiliency of hydrogen-based AC/DC microgrids through the development of novel planning, sizing and multi-time scale AI-based optimisation schemes. 
    1. Propose new systemic planning principles, including network topology and coupling with transportation sector utilizing hydrogen-based fuels for resilient and efficient integration of hydrogen electrolysers in AC/DC microgrids. 
    2. Optimized sizing of hydrogen electrolysers and battery energy storages (BESS) in AC/DC microgrids with RES. 
    3. Develop multi-time scale AI-based operational optimisation schemes utilising advanced forecasts to maximize cost- and energy efficient and resilient operation of microgrid with RES+BESS+hydrogen electrolysers.

Information about the project

The objective of the MSCA Doctoral Networks 2025 IDEAL4GREEN-project aims at pioneering decentralized energy solutions to meet global decarbonization targets through innovative microgrid technologies.

• The IDEAL4GREEN -project addresses the urgent challenges of climate change and the global shift towards sustainable energy systems. It focuses on developing and integrating microgrids, which are crucial in managing the variability of renewable resources and achieving decarbonization targets. The project aligns with the EC's commitment to carbon neutrality by 2050 by empowering energy communities and optimizing local supply and demand. The project proposes a comprehensive doctoral training network aimed at developing skilled engineers with interdisciplinary and intersectoral expertise. This network diverges from conventional university-based research, maintaining strong industry links and emphasizing practical implementation. IDEAL4GREEN consists of 8 beneficiaries and 11 partner organizations, recruiting 15 Doctoral Candidates (DCs) to undertake research on microgrids' planning, design, operation, control, and impact assessment. 

• The research encompasses innovative frameworks and methodologies for integrating microgrids and transforming traditional grids into sustainable energy systems. The Doctoral Candidates will engage in a mix of academic and industrial experiences, including secondments and networking meetings, ensuring their exposure to both theoretical knowledge and practical skills.

Read more from University of Vaasa and Danfoss Drives Oy below the add. 

Your role and responsibilities

The Doctoral Candidates (Doctoral Researchers) will actively participate in comprehensive training programs aimed at enhancing both technical and transferable skills. This includes workshops, seminars, and conferences that cover areas such as advanced control systems, resilience strategies, and economic planning for microgrids. Additionally, each Doctoral Candidate will collaborate closely with industry partners through 18-month secondments, where they will apply their research in real-world industrial settings, gaining hands-on experience and refining practical solutions for energy systems. The Doctoral Candidates will also contribute to project reporting, provide regular updates on their research progress, and ensure project milestones are met. Their findings will be communicated and disseminated, e.g. through presentations at international conferences and contributions to peer-reviewed publications.  

All tasks are agreed in more detail in the Annual Work Plan. The annual working time for Doctoral Researcher is 1612 hours.

Required qualifications and experience

• Applicants should not have resided in Finland for more than 12 months in the 36 months prior to the recruitment date
• Education: Master’s degree or equivalent in electrical engineering that permits the access to the doctoral studies if eligibility and admission criteria as well as language requirements are fulfilled (see https://www.uwasa.fi/en/education/doctoral-education/admissions-doctoral-studies).
• Excellent academic records
• Professional experience: valuable professional experience
• Specific professional experience/other competencies: a minimum of 3 years of specific academic studies or work experience in one or more areas related to renewable energy, electrical grids, microgrids, electrification, multi-energy systems, smart energy, smart grids, renewable energy sources, energy collection and alike
• Strong ability to manage multiple duties simultaneously, prioritizing tasks and meeting deadlines
• Experience in preparing technical reports and presentations on energy matters
• Good communication and interpersonal skills
• Excellent knowledge of written and spoken English (Level C1-Advanced), preferable knowledge of other languages, such as Finnish/Swedish
• Very good working knowledge of computer programs such as MATLAB, Simulink, C++, Python, etc.
• DC14: Experience about grid-following and grid-forming inverter control schemes (also e.g. AI-based methods), research on AC and/or DC microgrids, inverter fault behavior studies and cyber-security of control schemes as well as working with off-line (e.g. MATLAB and PSCAD) and real-time simulator environments (e.g. OPAL-RT, RTDS or Typhoon HIL) and experience on experimental rapid control prototyping (e.g. with dSPACE) is beneficial
• DC15: Good knowledge of AI-based methods, experience on multi-objective optimization methods and tools, advanced forecasting methods and hybrid (multi-energy) power plant’s operation and sizing as well as experience on microgrids, battery energy storages and hydrogen electrolysers simulation and operational capabilities is beneficial 
• Those selected for the position must be eligible to apply to the doctoral program of the University of Vaasa and receive the right to study in the doctoral program at the start of the employment relationship.  More information about applying for doctoral education: Admission to doctoral studies | University of Vaasa.

We offer

We promote the overall well-being of our employees at work by, among other things, offering fitness and cultural benefits, extensive occupational health care services, and versatile opportunities for continuous learning. Flexible working time arrangements and the possibility of partial remote work also support the balance of work and free time.

The salary is based on both the job requirement and the employee’s personal performance in accordance with the Finnish University Salary System (YPJ). The salary for a Doctoral Researcher is based on demand levels 2-4 (approximately 2225-2775 euros/month). An additional personal salary component is paid based on the experience and skills of the person selected for the position.

Applications

To apply for the position, please use our online application system (using the "Leave an application" button below). The application including annexes has to be in our online application database by midnight 31.1.2025 (Finnish time, GMT +3). Please note! In order for us to process your application, please ensure that you fill in the fields below thoroughly. 

The application should include the following annexes in English:

• CV. Use of CV template is required, see instructions: Application attachments | University of Vaasa 
• Additional attachment 1. Motivation letter
• Additional attachment 2. Research plan (must be fully compatible with DC 14 or DC 15 topic description)
• Additional attachment 3. Degree certificates (including Transcript of study records)
• Additional attachment 4. List of Publications
• Additional attachment 5. Training certificates
• Additional attachment 6. Reference letters

Further information

• Professor Hannu Laaksonen, tel. +358 29 449 8303 
• Dean Raine Hermans, tel. +358 29 449 8622
• Director Kaisu Piirainen, tel. +358 29 449 8428
  • E-mail: firstname.lastname(a)uwasa.fi

Inquiries about the online application system: careers(a)uwasa.fi

Contract conditions

• Employment type: Full-time.
• Project office location: University of Vaasa; Vaasa, Finland - Secondments (18 months) at Danfoss Drives Oy in Vaasa, Finland.
• Contract duration: 3 years (from September 2025) - the employment is subject to a probationary period.

At the University of Vaasa, we study and conduct research to address significant societal challenges. As a part of the largest energy technology innovation and business cluster in the Nordics, we are at the heart of the solution to the energy transition and the transition to a carbon neutral society. We focus on sustainable business, energy and society. Our strategic focus areas are energy transition and technology, business management, and governance and society. Our university is ranked 17th in the world in Times Higher Education (THE) Small Universities Ranking and 73rd in the world in the THE Young Universities Ranking. The University of Vaasa is AACSB accredited and holds the European Commission's HR Excellence in Research (HRS4R) quality label. 

Danfoss Drives Oy is a global AC drives manufacturer and part of the Danfoss Group. Danfoss is one of the world leaders in the drives and power converter market. Overall Danfoss employs more than 42.000 people and has 97 factories in more than 20 countries. Danfoss products are designed for several different fields including industrial use, mobile work machines, commercial vehicles, power conversion, and marine vessels. Currently, Danfoss has significant focus on electrification and power-to-X markets. High power density and efficiency, paired with a compact and light-weight construction allow flexible integration of Danfoss products into different applications.