Doctoral Researcher in Power System Dynamics

Aalto University; Espoo; On-site; EUR 32,000 - 38,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Fixed term contract (2+2 model)

Starting salary 3143 €/month

Job summary

Aalto University is seeking a doctoral researcher for the Research Group of Power Transmission Systems in Espoo. You will study interactions between the power grid and turbine-generators, using Olkiluoto 3 as the main case to improve monitoring of subsynchronous resonance.

Responsibilities include PMU data analysis, building grid–generator models, and proposing mitigation strategies for converter-dominated grids. Start January 2027; fixed-term up to four years with probation.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in electrical power engineering or related field.
• Fluent written and verbal communication skills in English.
• Ability to work independently and in a research team.

Responsibilities

• Monitor and analyze PMU data to estimate torsional oscillation frequencies, damping, and amplitudes.
• Analyse long-term measurements to see how oscillation properties depend on grid conditions.
• Develop and validate simulation models of grid-generator interactions, especially with high converter share.
• Assess risks from converter interactions and large loads, such as data centers, for oscillations and resonance.
• Evaluate strategies to prevent or damp harmful oscillations.

Skills

Fluent English

Data analysis

Team collaboration

Education

Master’s degree in electrical power engineering

Tools

MATLAB

Python

Power system simulators

Job description

Aalto University is where science and art meet technology and business. We shape a sustainable future by making research breakthroughs in and across our disciplines, sparking the game changers of tomorrow and creating novel solutions to major global challenges. Our community is made up of 16 000 students and 5 200 employees, including 446 professors. Our campus is in Espoo, Greater Helsinki, Finland.

Diversity is part of who we are, and we actively work to ensure our community’s diversity and inclusiveness. This is why we warmly encourage qualified candidates from all backgrounds to join our community.

About the role

You will work in the Research Group of Power Transmission Systems on a research project investigating interactions between the power grid and turbine-generators, with Olkiluoto 3 nuclear power plant as the main case study. Olkiluoto 3 is one of the largest nuclear power units in the world. The goal is to improve the understanding, monitoring and mitigation of subsynchronous resonance and oscillations caused by grid disturbances. You will work in collaboration with companies, such as TVO and Fingrid.

Responsibilities

• Monitoring and data analysis: Apply and develop methods to estimate torsional oscillation frequencies, damping and amplitudes from phasor measurement unit (PMU) data.
• Analyse long-term measurements to identify how these properties depend on grid operating conditions.
• Modelling and mitigation: Develop and validate simulation models of grid-generator interactions, particularly in power systems with a high share of power converters.
• Assess oscillation and resonance risks associated with converter interactions and forced oscillations from large loads, such as data centres.
• Evaluate strategies to prevent or damp harmful oscillations.

Requirements

• Master’s degree in electrical power engineering or a related field
• Fluent written and verbal communication skills in English
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively as part of a research team

Desired background

• Experience with power system simulation tools, especially dynamic simulations
• Experience with signal processing, time series analysis or machine learning
• Programming skills in MATLAB and/or Python

What we offer

• Fixed term contract: following Aalto's standard 2+2 model; initially two years, with a six-month probationary period, and extended by two further years after a successful mid-term review, giving a total duration of four years.
• Start date: in January 2027 or as mutually agreed
• Salary: The starting salary for a doctoral researcher is 3143 €/month.
• Access to state-of-the-art infrastructure and tools.
• Opportunity to combine academic research and industrial perspective.
• A stimulating international research environment.

Equity and inclusion

Diversity is part of who we are, and we actively work to ensure our community’s diversity and inclusiveness. This is why we warmly encourage qualified candidates from all backgrounds to join our community.

Application deadline

Please apply at the latest by October 18, 2026 at 23:59 EEST.