Research Assistant/Associate (f/m/d) - DC Systems

RWTH Aachen Elektrotechnik; Aachen; On-site; EUR 60,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

RWTH Aachen Elektrotechnik seeks a research associate to join the High Voltage Technology Teaching and Research Unit. The role centers on developing protection concepts for future power systems, conducting fault analysis, and contributing to PhD-focused research in AC/DC grids.

You will collaborate with industry and academia, supervise student projects, and prepare publications while advancing your own doctoral studies within a supportive, international research environment.

Qualifications

• Master's degree in electrical engineering or related field.
• Fluent in English; willing to acquire at least a B1 level of German.
• Ability to work in a highly motivated research team and develop creative, technically sound solutions.

Responsibilities

• Pursue a doctoral degree through research projects with industry and academia.
• Teach and supervise student assistants and theses, developing leadership and communication skills.
• Contribute to collaboration with national and international partners in the power and energy sector.

Skills

Team collaboration

Technical communication

Presentation skills

Education

Master's degree in electrical engineering or related field

Job description

Institution

High Voltage Technology Teaching and Research Unit

Our Profile

Within the DC Systems team at the Chair of High-Voltage Technology (HVT), we conduct research on the design, analysis, and operation of future AC/DC power systems, with a particular focus on the integration of power-electronic technologies and their interactions with the electrical grid.

A major research focus of our team is AC power system protection, addressing the challenges arising from the transformation of the electrical power system and the increasing integration of grid-connected converters. For this research area, we are looking for a new colleague to strengthen our team and contribute to the development of protection concepts for future power systems. Our research focuses on fault identification, protection performance assessment, and the analysis and setting of protection devices and functions.

Our research questions are addressed using static and transient studies as well as real-time investigations, to develop new ways for analyzing, designing and setting protections in renewable-dominated power systems. Power system modeling is combined with data-driven, probabilistic, and optimization-based methods to develop reliable protection concepts for the future electrical power system.

Through involvement in teaching and in a variety of research and industry projects, as well as by taking on leadership and project responsibility early on, the institute prepares its staff for demanding future roles in the power and energy sector. Join us to collaborate with national and international partners from industry and research on reliable protection concepts for the power systems of the future.

We are looking for research associates who intend to pursue a doctoral degree. If you're interested, we'd love to hear from you.

Your Profile

You hold an excellent university degree (master's degree or equivalent) with the main field in electrical engineering or computer sciences, mathematics, physics or a related field of study. You are fluent in English - both spoken and written - and are willing to acquire at least a B1 level of German.

You enjoy working in a highly motivated research team, analyzing complex problems in a structured manner, and developing creative, technically sound solutions. You are able to organize and carry out work by yourself, synthesizing scientific findings, discussing them, and sharing them with colleagues, industry partners, and the scientific community, both in writing and through presentations.

You are motivated to acquire in-depth technical and scientific expertise to advance your development as a researcher. You have a strong interest in electric power systems and the reliable operation of future electrical power systems. Experience or knowledge in one or more of the following areas is a plus:

• Short-circuit calculation and power system protection
• Control of power-electronic converters
• Statistical analysis, probabilistic methods and optimization methods
• Electromagnetic transient (EMT) simulation and real-time Hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) testing

Your Duties and Responsibilities

As part of our team, you will work on innovative research projects with the aim of a doctoral degree. Through the close collaboration with industry and academia, you will have the opportunity to deepen your expertise in a cutting-edge field of research, contribute your own scientific ideas, and build a strong professional network.

As part of the team, you will be actively involved in teaching and supervision of student assistants as well as bachelor's and master's theses, guiding students through their first research projects. This gives you valuable experience in leadership, communication, and presenting complex technical topics clearly.

What We Offer

The successful candidate will be employed under a regular employment contract.

The position is to be filled at the earliest possible date and offered for a fixed term initially of 1 year.

An extension for 4 years is planned.

The fixed-term employment is possible as it constitutes one of the fixed-term options of the Wissenschaftszeitvertragsgesetz (German Act on Fixed-term Scientific Contracts).

This is a full-time position.

The successful candidate has the opportunity to pursue a doctoral degree in this position.

The salary is based on the German public service salary scale (TV-L).

The position corresponds to a pay grade of EG 13 TV-L.

About us

RWTH is proud to be certified as a family-friendly university. As part of our Campus Health initiative, RWTH offers a wide range of health, counseling, and prevention services, including university sports. Employees under collective bargaining agreements and civil servants also benefit from a comprehensive continuing education program and the option to purchase a job ticket for convenient commuting.

All University employees also have access to the Corporate Benefits online platform, which offers discounts on a wide range of products and services from participating companies.

RWTH is an equal opportunities employer. We welcome and encourage applications from all qualified candidates and make employment decisions without regard to national or ethnic origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, disability or age. RWTH is especially committed to supporting the advancement of women in academia. When women are underrepresented in a university unit, preferential consideration will be given to female applicants among candidates of equal merit and professional standing, unless compelling reasons favor another individual.

In keeping with RWTH's commitment to equality of opportunity, we ask that you do not include a photo with your application.

Please refer to for information about how we collect and process applicant data in accordance with Articles 13 and 14 of the European Union's General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).

Application

Application deadline 16/11/2027