Single and multi-phase PCB coil-based bidirectional wireless power transfer systems

University of Antwerp; Italia; In loco; EUR 20.000 - 26.000; Tempo pieno

Descrizione del lavoro

The BiWPT Doctoral Network on Bidirectional Wireless Power Transfer for Next-Generation Electric Mobility, hosted by the University of Bologna, invites applications for 15 PhD positions. The program trains researchers to advance bidirectional WPT tech for vehicle-grid integration and high-power EV charging.

The doctoral project focuses on developing PCB-based coils, materials, geometries, and thermal management to achieve high current densities while maintaining efficiency.

Competenze

• Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Electronic Engineering, or related field.
• MSc awarded within the last 6 years and meeting admission requirements.
• Excellent English language skills.
• Eligibility to enrol in a PhD program at the host university.

Mansioni

• Participate in two planned secondments (academic and industrial).
• Submit regular progress reports to local and network supervisors.
• Contribute to BiWPT training, dissemination, and exploitation activities.
• Prepare a doctoral thesis and publish scientific articles.

Conoscenze

English fluency

Teamwork

Motivation

Interdisciplinary training

Formazione

Master’s degree in Electrical/Electronic Engineering or related field

Descrizione del lavoro

Department of Electrical, Electronic, and Information Engineering \"Guglielmo Marconi\"

Organisation/Company University of Bologna Department Department of Electrical, Electronic, and Information Engineering \"Guglielmo Marconi\" Research Field Engineering » Electrical engineering Engineering » Electronic engineering Researcher Profile First Stage Researcher (R1) Positions PhD Positions Application Deadline 1 Oct 2026 - 23:59 (Europe/Brussels) Country Italy Type of Contract Temporary Job Status Full-time Offer Starting Date 1 Jan 2027 Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme? Horizon Europe - MSCA Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure? No

Offer Description

The BiWPT Doctoral Network on Bidirectional Wireless Power Transfer for Next-Generation Electric Mobility has a clear mission: to train a new generation of experts who possess the skills and fundamental knowledge required to effectively address the challenges of bidirectional WPT systems for electric mobility, enabling vehicle-grid integration in support of Europe’s energy transition. The network will advance fundamental understanding and practical implementation of efficient, compact, and misalignment-tolerant bidirectional WPT technologies. Expected innovations include novel electromagnetic coupling and converter designs, integrated shielding concepts and real-world demonstrators that enable seamless, efficient, and high-power electric vehicle charging and discharging. The network delivers a training programme to 15 Doctoral Candidates (DC), providing capabilities to become leaders of tomorrow’s R&I in Europe.

Objective of the doctoral position: Developing and validating single- and multi-phase PCB-based coils for bidirectional WPT systems. The DC will identify suitable materials, geometries, and thermal management strategies to achieve current densities above 15 A/mm² while maintaining high efficiency. Using analytical and numerical modeling tools, the DC will design self-resonant PCB coils that minimize or eliminate external compensation capacitors. Experimental validation will be performed on a prototype compliant with SAE J2954 standards to benchmark performance against conventional litz-wire coils.

The DC will participate in two planned secondments as part of the doctoral training programme: an academic secondment at the co-supervising university abroad and an industrial secondment at the mentor’s company. The DC is expected to submit regular progress reports to the local and network supervisors. In addition, the DC will actively participate in BiWPT’s training, dissemination, communication, and exploitation activities. The DC will prepare a doctoral thesis and publish scientific articles related to the research project.

• Master’s degree (or equivalent) in Electrical Engineering, Electronic Engineering, Communication Engineering, Mechatronics, Applied Physics, or equivalent. Master's students in their final year may apply.
• Having earned an MSc’s degree no more than 6 years ago and meeting the admission requirements by the application deadline.
• Transcripts of the master’s degree should be obtained before signing the contract.
• Outstanding academic results. Moreover, applicants must have the necessary academic skills and background to make the success of a doctoral degree.
• Applicants must have the ability to understand and express themselves in both written and spoken English to a level that is sufficiently high for them to derive the full benefit from the network training.
• Motivation and commitment to interdisciplinary and intersectoral training.
• Ability to work both individually and in a team with adequate communication skills.
• Eligible to enrol in a PhD program at the host institution.

Specific Requirements

You must comply with the MSCA Eligibility Criteria:

• Mobility Rule: Applicants must not have resided or carried out their main activity in the country of the recruiting host institution for more than 12 months in the 3 years prior to the recruitment date. Compulsory national service, short stays such as holidays and time spent by the researcher as part of a procedure for obtaining refugee status under the Geneva Convention are not taken into account.
• Doctoral Candidate Rule: Applicants must not already hold a doctoral degree on the date of recruitment. Researchers who have successfully defended their doctoral thesis but have not yet formally been awarded the doctoral degree will not be considered eligible.