Rethinking Converter Synchronization: 2-Year Postdoctoral Position in Battery Energy Storage Systems

Aalborg Universitet; Aalborg Kommune; On-site; DKK 420,000 - 540,000; Full time

Job summary

Aalborg University invites applications for a 2-year postdoctoral position focusing on rethinking converter synchronization for Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS). The project explores acoustic and vibration signals to enhance robustness, scalability, and coordination of multi-converter installations.

You will work within the EMI/EMC In Power Electronics group and engage in cross-disciplinary collaboration, with opportunities for international exchange, conferences, and potential research

Qualifications

• A PhD in Electrical Engineering, Energy Engineering, or a closely related field.
• Documented experience in power electronics, power converter modelling and control, converter synchronization, signal processing, EMI/EMC, or related areas.
• Strong programming and experimental skills using DSP, MATLAB/Simulink, PLECS, hardware-in-the-loop implementation or comparable tools.

Responsibilities

• Develop and investigate synchronization and coordination methods for power electronic converters.
• Develop sensing and signal-processing methods for acoustic and vibration measurements.
• Establish and evaluate relationships between physical signatures and converter switching/operating behaviors.
• Implement and validate the developed methods using real-time control platforms, HIL, and experimental converter setups.
• Assess the proposed approaches under representative BESS operating conditions, including robustness to interference and multi-converter interactions.
• Disseminate results through scientific publications, conferences, and project deliverables.

Skills

PhD in EE

Power electronics

Signal processing

Laboratory experimentation

Education

PhD in Electrical Engineering

Tools

MATLAB/Simulink

PLECS

DSP/real-time platforms

Job description

Rethinking Converter Synchronization: 2-Year Postdoctoral Position in Battery Energy Storage Systems

Are you eager to contribute to a bold experimental research project at the forefront of power electronics and energy storage? We are offering an exciting 2-year postdoctoral position for a talented researcher to investigate advanced converter synchronization and control methods for Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS), with particular emphasis on exploiting naturally occurring acoustic and vibration information. The project combines converter control, sensing, signal processing, and experimental validation to explore new approaches toward simpler, more robust, and scalable BESS operation. This position is expected to start from 1st of January 2027, or as soon as possible hereafter.

About the project The position is affiliated with the VILLUM Experiment project A-choir and the EMI/EMC In Power Electronics research group at AAU Energy. The project investigates new synchronization concepts for multi-converter BESSs by combining power electronics, sensing, signal processing, and control. A particular focus is placed on whether physical signatures naturally generated during converter operation can provide useful information for synchronization and coordination.

You will join a research environment working across power electronics, EMI/EMC, converter control, multi-physics analysis, and experimental validation with applications including battery energy storage systems and other converter-dominated energy systems, with opportunities for collaboration across disciplines. The position also offers opportunities for international scientific exchange, participation in leading conferences, and may include research visits to relevant academic or industrial partners.

Your work tasks You will:

• Develop and investigate synchronization and coordination methods for power electronic converters.
• Develop sensing and signal-processing methods for acoustic and vibration measurements.
• Establish and evaluate relationships between physical signatures and converter switching/operating behaviors.
• Implement and validate the developed methods using real-time control platforms, HIL, and experimental converter setups.
• Assess the proposed approaches under representative BESS operating conditions, including robustness to interference and multi-converter interactions.
• Contribute to the coordination of related research activities, and disseminate results through scientific publications, conferences, and project deliverables.

The position may also include a limited amount of teaching and supervision in areas related to your expertise.

Your competencies We expect you to have:

• A PhD in Electrical Engineering, Energy Engineering, or a closely related field.
• Documented experience in power electronics, power converter modelling and control, converter synchronization, signal processing, EMI/EMC, or related areas.
• Strong programming and experimental skills using DSP, MATLAB/Simulink, PLECS, hardware-in-the-loop implementation or comparable tools.
• Experience with one or more relevant methods, such as synchronization and coordination control, digital signal processing, time-frequency analysis, data-driven modelling, or machine learning.
• Good knowledge of battery storage systems or multi-converter systems; experience with synchronization control, hierarchical control, hardware design, or AI-assisted signal would be an advantage.
• A strong scientific publication record appropriate to your career stage.
• The ability to conduct independent research, collaborate across disciplines, and communicate effectively with academic and industrial partners.
• Excellent written and spoken English.

You are not expected to be an expert in all technical areas covering power electronics, acoustic/vibration sensing, signal processing, or machine learning. Strong competence in power converter control and synchronization, together with solid experimental skills and the ability to work across sensing, EMI/EMC, and system-level interactions, is particularly important. We value scientific independence, critical thinking, strong experimental skills, and a rigorous approach to modelling, implementation, validation, and documentation.

Who we are The position will be based in the section for Applied Power Electronic Systems at Department of Energy in Aalborg University (AAU Energy). AAU Energy is an international research department at Aalborg University dedicated to developing clean and sustainable energy systems across electrical, thermal, and mechatronic energy technologies. We offer an interdisciplinary research environment, advanced laboratory facilities, and extensive collaboration with industry and academic partners. The department has campuses in Aalborg and Esbjerg; this position is based at the Aalborg campus. Read more at www.energy.aau.dk

Qualification requirements Appointmentaspostdoc requires academic qualifications at PhD level.

Aalborg University Knowledge for the world Aalborg University is an international workplace with more than 3,700 employees. We offer real-world-oriented education and create world-class research results through collaboration between researchers, students, and public and private companies. This is how we achieve insights, new solutions to societal problems, and knowledge that changes the world. Our main campus is in Aalborg, but we also have campuses in Esbjerg and Copenhagen.

Aalborg University wants to reflect the surrounding society and has diversity as a core value. Therefore, everyone, regardless of personal background and orientation, is encouraged to apply for the position.

Aalborg University has a policy of parallel language use. International staff are encouraged, with support from the university, to learn Danish during their employment in order to support their integration into the workplace and Danish society.

Danish language courses will be offered as part of the employment.

Do you have any questions? If you have any questions about the position, you are more than welcome to contact us. You will find contact persons at the bottom of the jobpost.

Further information Read more about our recruitment process here

The appointment process at Aalborg University involves a shortlisting process. You can read more about the shortlisting and appointment process here .

The hiring process at Aalborg University may include a risk assessment as a tool to identify potential risks associated with new hires, ensuring the safety, compliance, and integrity of the workplace.

Salary and terms of employment The employment is in accordance with the Ministerial Order on the Appointment of Academic Staff at Universities and the Ministerial Order on Job Structure for Academic Staff at Universities. Furthermore, your terms of employment and salary are in accordance with the collective agreement between the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations and the state (AC collective agreement) and protocol on certain terms of employment of academic staff at universities.

There is a mutual probationary period of 3 months for the position.