Postdoc Protection and Control of DC Microgrid for Electric Aircraft

Delft University of Technology via AcademicTransfer; Netherlands; On-site; EUR 55,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

Delft University of Technology (TU Delft) invites applications for a postdoctoral position to advance DC microgrid protection, control, and stability for sustainable electric aircraft. The role covers converter-level to system-level design, including a hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) test platform to validate proposed solutions under normal and fault conditions.

The project emphasizes high power density, robustness, and safe operation, with a focus on interaction between protection actions and

Qualifications

• PhD in electrical engineering with strong quantitative and analytical background.
• Strong research record on electronic power conversion and DC systems.
• Experience with HIL tests or power system simulations.
• Excellent written and spoken English.

Responsibilities

• Develop and validate digital models of energy sources and loads and power converters.
• Design DC microgrid architectures for electric aircraft and implement an HIL test platform.
• Investigate DC fault dynamics under pole-to-pole and pole-to-ground faults and propose mitigations.
• Analyze interaction between protection and control to enhance system resilience.
• Validate solutions through simulation and HIL experiments.

Skills

DC microgrid research

Power electronics

HIL testing

English proficiency

Education

PhD in Electrical Engineering

Tools

MATLAB/Simulink

HIL testing platforms

Job description

Delft University of Technology (TU Delft)

Organisation/Company Delft University of Technology (TU Delft) Research Field Engineering » Electrical engineering Engineering » Electronic engineering Researcher Profile Recognised Researcher (R2) Application Deadline 10 Nov 2026 - 22:59 (UTC) Country Netherlands Type of Contract Temporary Job Status Not Applicable Hours Per Week 40.0 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

Join us to advance DC microgrid protection, control, and stability for safe and reliable future sustaibale aviation!

Job description

DC microgrids with integrated energy storage are a key enabler of the electrification of transportation, industry, data centers, and renewable energy systems. However, the high-power, low-impedance, and dynamically varying DC microgrids introduces significant challenges in system stability and fault resilience. These challenges are particularly critical for electric aircraft, requiring high power density, stringent weight constraints, fast electrical dynamics, and demanding safety requirements.

The objective of this postdoctoral position is to develop efficient, stable, and fault-resilient DC microgrids for electric aircraft, addressing challenges from the converter level to the system level. At the converter level, you will investigate power conversion, control, and protection technologies to achieve high power density, robust operation, and effective fault handling. At the system level, you will design DC microgrid architectures that integrate diverse energy sources, power converters, and aircraft loads. A hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) test platform will be developed to validate the proposed solutions. This platform will support research on stability analysis, and the transient and steady-state responses under various faults. A particular focus will be placed on the interaction between protection actions and system control to ensure stable and resilient operation under normal and fault conditions.

What You Will Do

• Develop and validate digital models of energy sources and storage, power electronic converters, and aircraft loads
• Design DC microgrid architectures for electric aircraft, balancing reliability, efficiency, power density, and weight. Implement an HIL test platform for the selected architecture
• Investigate DC fault dynamics by analyzing transient and steady-state system behavior under pole-to-pole and pole-to-ground faults, and propose mitigation measures
• Investigate the interaction between protection and control and develop coordinated protection and control strategies to enhance overall system performance and fault resilience
• Validate proposed solutions through simulation and HIL experiments

What the Position Offers You

• A state-of-the-art power electronics laboratory, equipped with advanced research and testing facilities, including OPAL-RT, PLECS RT Box, and Imperix power amplifiers
• An opportunity to conduct high-impact research on electric aircraft, contributing to the future of sustainable aviation
• Opportunities to contribute to the DC Systems and EV Charging Summer School

About the department

The research in ESE Department is inspired by the technical, scientific, and societal challenges originating from the transition towards a more sustainable society and focuses on four areas:

• DC Systems, Energy Conversion and Storage (DCE&S)
• Photovoltaic Materials and Devices (PVMD)
• High Voltage Technologies (HVT)

ESE Department owns the ESP laboratory is actively used for testing of grid integration of power electronics, battery degradation, hardware in loop simulation (HIL), AC and DC protection, and wide-area monitoring, protection and control.

The DCE&S group is responsible for research and education in the fields of DC systems, energy storage, electronic power conversion (power electronics), electro-mechanics for electric mobility and recently electro-chemical conversion. DC systems is a multidisciplinary field of research, exploring the electronic power conversion of electrical energy for different applications. The group is currently active in applications such as Direct Current distribution grids and microgrids, electrification of mobility (charging of electric vehicles), and renewable generation of electrical energy (such as wind and solar energy) as well as sustainable production of chemicals and fuels through large-scale conversion of renewable electricity into molecular bonds.

Job requirements

Essential job requirements:

• Strong research record on electronic power conversion and DC systems
• Completed a PhD degree in a highly quantitative and analytical discipline (electrical engineering)
• Demonstrable experience with HIL tests or power system simulationsVery good command of English, in both writing and speaking
• You enjoy performing research. You are independent, self-motivated, and eager to learn
• Knowledge of DC microgird control and stability analysis
• Knowledge of electric aircraft

TU Delft (Delft University of Technology) Working at TU Delft means contributing to solutions that really make a difference. For over 180 years, we have been training engineers who make an impact worldwide in companies, government bodies, or as entrepreneurs. Our alumni turn knowledge into concrete solutions for the challenges of today and tomorrow. These challenges are changing rapidly. That is why we focus on themes such as energy, climate, digitalisation, artificial intelligence (AI), and smart mobility every day. Our education and research are directly aligned with what society needs now and in the future. At TU Delft, our people make the difference. With their knowledge and curiosity, our staff provide a high-quality education and conduct pioneering research that extends beyond the campus. You will have the opportunity to take the initiative, work with others, and grow as a professional. Working at TU Delft means join an international community of professionals and students. Together, we create knowledge, innovations, and solutions that help move the world forward.

Faculty of Electrical Engineering, Mathematics and Computer Science

The Faculty of Electrical Engineering, Mathematics and Computer Science (EEMCS) brings together three scientific disciplines. Combined, they reinforce each other and are the driving force behind the technology we all use in our daily lives. Technology such as the electricity grid, which our faculty is helping to make completely sustainable and future-proof. At the same time, we are developing the chips and sensors of the future, whilst also setting the foundations for the software technologies to run on this new generation of equipment - which of course includes AI. Meanwhile we are pushing the limits of applied mathematics, for example mapping out disease processes using single cell data, and using mathematics to simulate gigantic ash plumes after a volcanic eruption. In other words: there is plenty of room at the faculty for ground-breaking research. We educate innovative engineers and have excellent labs and facilities that underline our strong international position. In total, more than 1000 employees and 4,000 students work and study in this innovative environment.

Conditions of employment

• Duration of contract is 2 years and 2 months. Temporarily with a posibility for extension.
• A job of 38-40 hours per week.
• Salary and benefits are in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities.
• An excellent pension scheme via the ABP.
• The possibility to compile an individual employment package every year.
• Discount with health insurers on supplemental packages.
• Every year, 232 leave hours (at 38 hours). You can also sell or buy additional leave hours via the individual choice budget.
• Plenty of opportunities for education, training and courses.
• Partially paid parental leave
• Attention for working healthy and energetically with the vitality program.

Will you need to relocate to the Netherlands for this job? TU Delft is committed to make your move as smooth as possible! The HR unit, Coming to Delft Service , offers information on their website to help you prepare your relocation. In addition, Coming to Delft Service organises events to help you settle in the Netherlands, and expand your (social) network in Delft. A Dual Career Programme is available, to support your accompanying partner with their job search in the Netherlands. .

Additional information

If you would like more information about this vacancy or the selection procedure, please contact Dr. Wenli Shi, via [e-mail]. For information about the selection procedure, please contact Sharmila Rattansingh, Secretary, email: [e-mail].