Ph.D. Positions : 25004_Energy Communities & Local Electricity Markets

Organisation/Company: Universidad Pontificia Comillas

Department: Institute for Research in Technology

Research Field: Engineering » Electrical engineering

Researcher Profile: First Stage Researcher (R1)

Positions: PhD Positions

Country: Spain

Application Deadline: 19 Sep 2025 - 09:28 (Europe/Brussels)

Type of Contract: Other

Extra Information: Full time Annual Contract

Job Status: Full-time

Hours Per Week: 37.5

Offer Starting Date: 24 Mar 2025

Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme? Not funded by a EU programme

Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure? No

Offer Description

We are looking for a highly motivated researcher to join an exciting research project on the design, modelling, and evaluation of participation in local electricity and flexibility markets for energy communities based on Virtual Power Plants (VPPs). The successful candidate will analyse the regulatory framework, develop market models integrating AI-driven autonomous strategies, and validate them through high-performance simulations and hardware-in-the-loop emulations. This is a unique opportunity to work at the intersection of energy systems, artificial intelligence, and market design, contributing to the future of smart energy communities.

Candidates should have, at least, a master's degree in relevant disciplines. The work could easily lead to a Ph.D. degree.

Annual Salary: € 31.472,55 (First year).

Additional benefits: Access to all university services (sports, cultural activities, library, etc.) and a dynamic, innovative working environment.

The work is funded by: Comunidad de Madrid with the project PREDFLEX-CM (ref. TEC-2024/ECO-287) through the R&D Activity Programme "Tecnologías 2024". Order 5696/2024, 10 of December 2024, from the Secretary of Education, Science and Universities.

Brief Summary of the Scientific-Technical Objectives of the R&D Activity Programme

PREDFLEX-CM aims to develop an intelligent system for monitoring and energy management in medium- and low-voltage networks, efficiently integrating renewable sources, storage, and consumption through Virtual Power Plants and Digital Twins of prosumers. The project seeks to ensure effective coordination between the Distribution System Operator and prosumers to maximise benefits from energy exchange, including dynamic modelling, participation in local flexibility markets, and the application of artificial intelligence. Additionally, network planning will be addressed for future scenarios with higher electrification, including electric vehicles and electrolysers, and its feasibility will be validated through hardware-in-the-loop emulations in the consortium’s leading laboratories.

Desired Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

The ideal candidate should have a strong background in energy systems, electrical engineering, or related fields, with knowledge in optimisation and numerical techniques applied to energy management. A solid understanding of decentralised energy resources, Virtual Power Plants (VPPs), and market mechanisms is highly desirable. Experience with modelling and simulation tools such as Python (GurobiPy, PandaPower) is a preferred requirement. Knowledge of the Spanish and European regulatory framework for the electricity sector is also preferred. Strong analytical skills, problem-solving abilities, and the capacity to work independently within a multidisciplinary research team are essential.