Postdoc in Hybrid Energy Routers for Asynchronous SAFEr Grid

At the Department of Energy at Aalborg University (AAU Energy), a position as Postdoc in Hybrid Energy Routers for Asynchronous SAFEr Grid is open for appointment from September 1, 2026, or as soon as possible hereafter. The position is available for a period of 2 years and is based at Aalborg Universitys campus in Aalborg. The position is closely connected to our activities within energy efficiency and smart power converter architecture, and your work will contribute to the development of new knowledge within this field.

The aim is to address the systemic challenges behind current power grid operation by incrementally conceptualizing asynchronicity using power electronics as a fundamental block. Inspired by the structural principles of the internet, the store-and-forward logic to control energy will be augmented into power electronic converters for real-time dynamic response and handling contingencies. As a result, power electronics will sustainably transform the current synchronous, monolithic system into multiple decentralized, modular asynchronous grids.

AAU Energy is dedicated to contributing to the development of innovative concepts and technologies that will not only make future power systems more reliable but also actively facilitate the success of the energy transition. In this position you will conduct research within power systems and power electronics for next-generation grid architectures, with a particular focus on modelling and design of hybrid energy routers enabling asynchronous and decentralized power grids. You will be involved in both independent and collaborative research activities in close interaction with colleagues in the group and external partners in Denmark and abroad.

You will work with the design and execution of research studies, the analysis and interpretation of data, and the dissemination of results in high-quality scientific outlets. Your daily work will typically involve a combination of independent research and collaboration in project teams, where you help develop concepts, methods and solutions that are relevant for the energy sector.

In particular, you will be involved in modelling and designing hybrid energy routers around legacy transformers, developing new control strategies for asynchronous grid operation, analysing energy router topologies and quantifying flexibility from each asynchronous grid across distribution and transmission systems, and validating system performance under unstable grid conditions and contingencies.

You will be expected to contribute to scientific publications in international peer-reviewed journals and to present your work at conferences, workshops and meetings with partners. You will collaborate with researchers across the department and, where relevant, with industrial or public stakeholders, and you are expected to work closely with colleagues from RWTH Aachen and visit their facilities dependent on project needs. The position may include a limited amount of teaching and supervision of students at bachelors and masters level, for example in the form of project supervision or involvement in courses related to your expertise. Depending on project needs, you may also take part in preparing applications for external research funding and in supporting the development of new research directions at the department.

You hold a PhD degree in Electrical Engineering, Power Systems, Power Electronics or a closely related field or can document equivalent scientific qualifications at PhD level. Your research profile is clearly connected to power electronics and future power grid architectures, and you can demonstrate experience with distributed control, cyber-physical systems, smart transformers, machine learning, power systems or systems engineering.

You have solid skills in modelling and simulation using software tools such as MATLAB, PLECS or PSCAD, and programming for system analysis and control design and you are comfortable working systematically with complex technical problems. Experience with interdisciplinary and international collaboration or advanced power system applications will be an advantage, as will a documented ability to publish in international journals.

You communicate clearly in English, both orally and in writing, and you can present your work to both specialists and non-specialists. If you already speak Danish or would like to learn it, this will be an asset in everyday life at the university and in Danish society, and language courses are available locally.

The department is located in both Aalborg and Esbjerg, and this position is based at the Aalborg campus. English is widely used as the working language in research and teaching, which makes it straightforward for international colleagues to integrate.

We offer access to advanced laboratory and workshop facilities and an environment where you can develop your academic profile through research, teaching and collaboration with both Danish and international external partners.

Appointment as postdoc requires academic qualifications at PhD level. Your application must include the following:

• Application, stating reasons for applying, qualifications in relation to the position, and intentions and visions for the position

• Curriculum Vitae (CV)

• Diplomas (master's degree diploma and PhD diploma)

• List of publications, with an indication of the attached publications that you wish to be taken into account in the assessment. You may attach a maximum of five publications.

• Documentation of teaching qualifications if relevant.

• Dissemination qualifications, including participation on committees or boards, participation in organisations etc.

• Additional qualifications in relation to the position

• References/recommendations

The application must be submitted via Aalborg Universitys recruitment system, which can be accessed under the job advertisement on Aalborg University's website.

If you have any questions about the position, you are more than welcome to contact us. For professional questions, please contact Associated Professor Subham Sahoo, sssa@energy.aau.dk, +459940 7088 or Professor Frede Blaabjerg, fbl@energy.aau.dk, Mobil +452129 2454

Selected candidates will be invited for an interview. Interviews are expected to be held during June 2026.