HRER2026/329-159 INVESTIGADOR / Researcher

Euraxess; Madrid; Presencial; EUR 35.634 - 43.553; Jornada completa

Descripción de la vacante

CEIMM at the Universidad Politécnica de Madrid invites applications for a fully funded PhD position under the BESCAPE MSCA project, focusing on wireless battery charging for future space missions. The candidate will work with UPM, UMONS, ESA, and industrial mentors to design wireless charging solutions for drones and rovers.

This international program includes secondments at ESA, advanced training in power electronics, and a Joint Degree pathway with UMONS, offering broad research and career

Formación

• Master's degree in Electrical Engineering, Electronic Engineering, Physics, or related discipline.
• Experience in power electronics, modelling and design of magnetic components, energy conversion, modelling and control of power converters, and programming tools (MATLAB/Simulink/Python) is advantageous.
• Strong analytical skills and excellent English communication are valued.

Responsabilidades

• Design and optimize wireless power transfer technologies for space missions.
• Model, simulate, and validate power converters and magnetic components.
• Collaborate with international partners (UPM/UMONS/ESA) and contribute to research training activities.

Conocimientos

Power electronics

Magnetic components design

Energy conversion

Power converters control

Matlab/Simulink/Python

Educación

Master's degree in Electrical Engineering or related

Herramientas

MATLAB

Simulink

Python

Descripción del empleo

Offer Description

About the Project BESCAPE is an Advanced Wide Bandgap-based Power Processing and Management for Future Space Exploration initiative developed in collaboration with the European Space Agency (ESA) and leading European space companies. The project addresses emerging challenges in power conversion, advanced control, and power distribution systems for future human space exploration missions. BESCAPE brings together a highly international consortium comprising 11 Doctoral Candidates distributed across leading European universities and research institutions. The academic beneficiaries include Universidad Politécnica de Madrid (UPM, Spain), Universiteit Twente (UT, The Netherlands), Universidad de Oviedo (UNIOVI, Spain), KU Leuven (KU Leuven, Belgium), Université de Mons (UMONS, Belgium), Ghent University (UGent, Belgium), Università degli Studi di Padova (UNIPD, Italy), and Universidad Miguel Hernández de Elche (UMH, Spain). These academic partners collaborate closely with space-sector stakeholders, including the European Space Agency (ESA, The Netherlands), Leonardo S.p.A. (Leonardo, Italy), IMEC (Belgium), Thales Alenia Space Belgium (TAS-B, Belgium), OHB System AG (OHB, Germany), and CRISA-AIRBUS (Spain), creating a unique research and training environment that combines academic excellence with industrial and space-sector expertise.

The Universidad Politécnica de Madrid (UPM) offers one fully funded PhD position ‘Wireless battery charging Unit for future space missions: drones and rovers’. Host Institution: Universidad Politécnica de Madrid (UPM). Supervisors from Universidad Politécnica de Madrid (UPM, Spain). Joint Degree Partner: Université de Mons (UMONS, Belgium). Industrial Mentors: European Space Agency - ESA (The Netherlands). Objective: This project aims to advance wireless power transfer technologies for future space missions. The selected candidate will design innovative wireless charging solutions, including universal transmitting coils and advanced control techniques, to enable reliable and efficient charging of autonomous vehicles such as drones and rovers. Secondments: ESA (during 3 months): training on the needs and challenges for the Wireless Power technology applied to the coming Space exploration missions. UMONS (during 6 Months): Advanced training in wireless power transfer converter topologies, control techniques, and to follow the PhD courses from UMONS for the Joint Degree.

Where to apply

E-mail [e-mail]

Requirements

Research Field Engineering Education Level Master Degree or equivalent

Skills/Qualifications We are looking for highly motivated candidates with a Master's degree in Electrical Engineering, Electronic Engineering, Physics, or related disciplines. Experience in power electronics, modelling and design of magnetic components, energy conversion, modelling and control of power converters, simulation and programming tools (e.g. MATLAB, Simulink, Python), or related research areas will be considered an advantage. Strong analytical skills, a research-oriented mindset, and excellent communication skills in English are highly valued.

Specific Requirements

1. Candidates must not have resided or carried out their main activity in Spain for more than 12 months during the 36 months immediately prior to recruitment.
2. Candidates must not already possess a doctoral degree.
3. Candidates must meet admission requirements for the PhD programs at UPM and University of Mons (UMONS).
4. Nationality: Open to candidates of any nationality from around the world.

Languages ENGLISH Level Excellent

Research Field Engineering – Electrical engineering Years of Research Experience 1 - 4

Additional Information

Double / Joint PhD Degree Successful candidates will obtain a joint doctoral degree awarded by UPM and UMONS.

International Training Programme Joining BESCAPE offers a unique opportunity to develop a PhD within an international network involving leading universities, ESA, and major European space companies.

Candidates will benefit from:

• International secondments at ESA and leading European institutions.
• Participation in specialized BESCAPE Summer Schools and training events.
• Collaboration with internationally recognized researchers and industry experts.
• Competitive MSCA funding package including Living, Mobility, and Family Allowances (where applicable).
• Full employment contract and social security coverage under Spanish legislation.

Salary & Financial Conditions The position is funded by the Horizon Europe MSCA Doctoral Networks programme through the BESCAPE project (Grant Agreement No. 101312786). The position is funded by the European Union’s MSCA program and includes a competitive salary composed of a Living Allowance (adjusted by the country correction coefficient), a Mobility Allowance, and, if applicable, a Family Allowance. Gross Salary before deductions: 39593.70€ per year.

Eligibility criteria Recruitment will be conducted in accordance with the principles of the Open, Transparent and Merit-Based Recruitment (OTM-R) policy of the European Commission, ensuring equal opportunities, fairness, transparency, and selection based solely on candidates’ qualifications, skills, and merits. The selection process will ensure equal opportunities and non-discrimination and will be based exclusively on the candidates' qualifications, skills, experience and potential. Experience will be valued in:

1. Knowledge and experience in power electronics (10%)
2. Design and optimization of power supplies (10%)
3. Modelling, design and optimization of high frequency magnetic components (25%)
4. Modelling and control of power converters (10%)
5. Skilled in modelling, simulation and programming (e.g. MATLAB, Python, ANSYS, Comsol, FEA tools etc.) (25%)
6. Sufficient training and experience for the optimal performance of the described tasks (10%)
7. Good communication skills; critical and creative mindset, able to formulate your own research questions; excellent proficiency in English (speaking, listening, writing) (10%)

Required Documents Candidates must submit their application by email to [e-mail] and [e-mail] before the deadline. It must be attached the following documentation:

1. Detailed Curriculum Vitae (CV).
2. Academic transcripts (BSc and MSc).
3. Contact details of two academic referees.

Work Location(s)

Number of offers available 1 Company/Institute CENTRO DE ELECTRÓNICA INDUSTRIAL Y SISTEMAS MULTIMODALES (CEIMM) Country Spain State/Province Madrid City Madrid Postal Code 28006 Street José Gutierrez Abascal, 2 Geofield