PhD Candidate in Risk-Based Power System Operation and Utilisation of Transformer Capacity

Universitets- og høyskolelektorer/-lærere; Trondheim; On-site; NOK 560,000 - 600,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Mentor programme

Friday coffee

SPK pension benefits

Norwegian language courses

Job summary

NTNU invites applications for a full-time PhD Candidate position in Risk-Based Power System Operation and Utilisation of Transformer Capacity. Join the Power System Operation and Analysis group to pursue doctoral research while contributing to a larger project at NTNU in Trondheim.

The role includes coursework (30 ECTS), publication effort, and opportunities for international collaboration. You will be supported by a strong supervisory team and a collaborative community at IEL and NTNU.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in Electric Power Engineering or closely related field.
• Proficiency in Python programming.
• Strong English language skills (CEFR B2) required.

Responsibilities

• Conduct high-quality research within the framework described.
• Participate in activities of the PSOA research group.
• Complete academic training totaling at least 30 ECTS.
• Contribute to publications in journals and dissemination.
• Participate in international activities such as conferences or research stays.

Skills

Python

English (B2)

Education

Master’s degree in Electric Power Engineering

Job description

This is NTNU

NTNU is a broad-based university with atechnical-scientific profile and a focusin professional education. The university is located in three cities with headquarters in Trondheim.

At NTNU, 9,000 employees and 43,000 students work to create knowledge for a better world.

You will find more information about working at NTNU and the application process here.

Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_KHQjc4ndas&t=41s

About the position

Are you motivated to take a step towards a doctorate and open up exciting career opportunities? Do you have a background in electric power systems and are you interested in risk-based power system operation? As a PhD Candidate with us, you will work to achieve your doctorate, and at the same time gain valuable experience that qualifies you for a further career in higher education and research, in and outside academia.

The Department of Electric Energy (IEL) at NTNUis seeking a highly motivated candidate for a full-time (100%) PhD position for 3 years in “Risk-Based Power System Operation and Utilisation of Transformer Capacity”. You will join the research group Power System Operation and Analysis (PSOA) at IEL, where we foster an open, inclusive, and collaborative working environment.

Our working environment is characterized by a friendly, supportive atmosphere, with regular gatherings such as professional meetings within the research group,weekly research colloquia, shared lunches, and “Friday coffee” sessions to wrap up the week. Formal and informal gatherings provide opportunities to exchange ideas, celebrate milestones, and strengthen connections. PhD Candidates also arrange social activities, open to everyone who wishes to join, creating a welcoming and inclusive community.

Your immediate Line Manager will be the Head of Department.

About the project

The PhD position is a part of the Knowledge-building Project “Increasing Emergency Load Limits for Transformers” (KSP UPLOAD) that is starting up in 2027. SINTEF Energy Research is the project owner. NTNU is a participating partner, together with leading industry partners. Hiring for the PhD position is subject to the final confirmation of funding availability from KSP UPLOAD.

Liquid-immersed power transformers are critical power grid assets. Due to an ageing power grid, growing demand for electricity, and very long lead times on installing new transformers, there is a need to both increase the utilization of existing infrastructure of transformers and to maximise the value of new investments. Increasing the short-term load limits for transformers will free up capacity to accommodate new load and generation, reduce the need for reinvestments, and provide back-up capacity in case of emergency. Improved methods for condition monitoring and prediction, along with better risk criteria can reduce uncertainties and offer a possibility for increasing the transformer loading. KSP UPLOAD will investigate key failure mechanisms for transformers, map the benefits and risks of increasing the load and temperature limits, and pilot new concepts for risk control.

The PhD Position belongs to Work Package 1 of KSP UPLOAD: ‘System-level Benefits and Risks in from Increased Loading’. It addresses the question of how to quantify the socio-economic benefits, as well as the risk with respect to reliability of supply, when operating transformers beyond nameplate limits.

The tasks meant for the PhD work are related to:

• Quantifying how higher loading limits affect the socio-economic trade-off between reliability of supply and making additional capacity available to power markets with flow-based market coupling.
• Developing methods for optimally allocating the additional transfer capability enabled by increased transformer loading limits across day-ahead, intraday, and balancing markets to maximize socio-economic value while respecting system security and reliability constraints.

Different approaches can be explored, such as integrating probabilistic and deterministic reliability criteria with market operation in a single security-constrained optimal power flow model, and combining optimal power flow analysis with reliability analysis methods.

The main supervisor of the PhD Candidate will be Associate Professor Vijay Venu Vadlamudi (IEL). Co-supervisors will be ProfessorHossein Farahmand (IEL) andSenior Research Scientist Iver Bakken Sperstad (SINTEF Energy Research).

Duties of the position

• Conduct high-quality research within the framework described above.
• Participatein activities of the research group Power System Operation and Analysis (PSOA).
• Complete academic training consisting of coursework corresponding to a minimum of 30 ECTS.
• Contribute to publications in relevant journals and to popular science dissemination.
• Participate in international activities such as conferences and/or research stays at foreign educational institutions.

Career-enhancing work, which is in addition to the research project and doctoral education, may be offered to a candidate who demonstrates clear motivation and ability for such work, and if the Department determines there is a need. Examples of career-enhancing work include, but are not limited to, contributing to teaching, laboratory and exercise teaching, supervision, and examination work within the employee's areas of competence.

Be prepared for changes to your work duties after employment.

Required selection criteria

• You must hold a Master’s degree within Electric Power Engineering, with specialization in electric power and/or energy systems.
• Your course of study must correspond to a five-year Norwegian course, where 120 credits have been obtained at the Master's level. Master's students can apply, but the Master's degree must be obtained and documented before starting the position, and no later than autumn 2026.
• You must have proficient programming skills in Python.
• Employment is contingent upon the candidate’s ability to obtain the required security clearance.
• You must have a strong academic background from your previous studies and have an average grade from your Master's degree study, or equivalent education, which is equal to B or better compared to NTNU's grading scale . If you do not have letter grades from previous studies, you must have an equally good academic foundation. If you have a weaker grade background, you may be considered if you can document that you are particularly suitable for a PhD education, i.e., by having relevant work experience and/or published/publishable scientific papers.
• You must meet the requirements for admission to the Faculty's Doctoral Programme .
• You must have English language skills, both written and spoken, corresponding to the scale B2 in the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR). Applicants who are not native English speakers are encouraged to document their English language proficiency. One of the following test scores could be documented for this purpose:
  • TOEFL internet-based test (iBT) - Score equivalent to the B2 level: 79 - 101.
  • IELTS - Score equivalent to the B2 level: 5.5 - 6.0
  • Cambridge English - Score equivalent to the B2 level: 160 - 179.

Further assessment of both written and oral English language skills and the ability to communicate fluently will be conducted in the continued selection process and during any interviews for all applicants.

PLEASE NOTE: For detailed information about what the application must contain, see paragraph “About the application”.

The appointment is to be made in accordance with NTNUs guidelines for recruitment positions for general criteria for the position.

Preferred selection criteria

• Master’s thesis relevant to the announced position.
• English language skills, both written and spoken, corresponding to the scale C1 in the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR). See which scores are equivalent to the C1 level here .
• Proficiency in a Scandinavian language (Norwegian, Swedish, or Danish), both written and spoken, at B2 level or higher is considered an advantage. The candidate is expected to collaborate with stakeholders in the Norwegian industry and utility sectors, where Norwegian is the working language.

Personal characteristics

To complete a doctoral degree (PhD), it is important that you are able to:

• demonstrate strong motivation, curiosity, and a learning-oriented mindset
• work independently, take initiative, and maintain good structure and discipline in their work
• communicate effectively and collaborate well with supervisors and peers
• show resilience and work constructively when facing challenges or setbacks
• demonstrate integrity and a strong sense of responsibility in their research conduct

Emphasis will be placed on personal qualities.

We offer

• An exciting job with an important mission in society
• Developing tasks in a strong and international professional environment
• Career guidance and follow-up during the PhD period
• Open and inclusive working environment with committed colleagues
• Social activities organized by PhD Students
• Weekly social gathering on Fridays (Friday coffee)
• Working capital that can be used to implement the project
• Mentor programme as a new employee at NTNU
• Favorable terms as a member of the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund (SPK)
• Free Norwegian language training at a basic level (A2)

As a PhD Candidate at NTNU, you will have access to employee benefits .

Diversity

Diversity is a strength, and at NTNU we aim to be an employer that reflects the diversity in society and that makes use of the potential of the population's collective skills. Our vision is Knowledge for a better world and our values are creative, critical, constructive and respectful . We believe that an organization that is equal, diverse and gender-balanced is essential for us to achieve our goals.

We strive to attract employees with different skills, life experiences and perspectives to contribute to even better problem solving of our societal mission in research and education.

At NTNU we want to increase the proportion of women in scientific positions. We have a number of measures to promote equality.

Salary and conditions

In the position of PhD Candidate, code 1017, your gross salary will normally be NOK 580 000,-per annum depending on qualifications and seniority. A 2% statutory contribution to the State Pension Fund is deducted from the salary.

The employment period is 3 years, with the possibility of an additional 3 to 12 months of employment related to career-enhancing activities.

The option for career-enhancing work may be offered to a candidate who has clear motivation and ability for such work, and if the Department deems it necessary. This will be clarified with the candidate during and after any interview.

For employment as a PhD Candidate, it is a prerequisite that you gain admission to the PhD programme in Electric Power Engineering within three months of your employment contract start date, and that you participate in an organized doctoral programme throughout the period of employment.

The position is conditional on external funding.

As an employee at NTNU, it is important that you keep yourself up to date with academic and organizational changes and adapt to them.

For the necessary professional and social interaction, it is a prerequisite that you are physically present and available to the institution on a daily basis.

The appointment is carried out in accordance with the principles of the State Employees Act .

About the application

The attachments (including a description of your scientific work) must accompany the application as these documents form the basis of the application assessment. The documents must be in Norwegian/a Scandinavian language or English.

Please note: the application will only be assessed on the basis of the information we have received by the application deadline. Therefore, make sure that your application clearly shows how your skills and experience meet the criteria described above. The application and all attachments must be sent electronically via Jobbnorge.no. If you are invited to an interview, you must bring certified copies of certificates and diplomas upon request.

The application must include:

• A cover letter where the applicant describes personal motivation, summarizes scientific work, and explains how the applicant sees her/his background as suitable (400 words/1 page).
• Project outline containing proposals for an overall description of research questions, theoretical perspectives, methodological design for the project, and progress plan (maximum 1500 words/4 pages, including references).This proposal will be neither final nor binding for the project.
• CV.
• If you have testimonials of work experience, submit them.
• Transcripts and diplomas for Bachelor's and Master's degrees. If you have not yet completed your Master's thesis, you must provide confirmation on your estimated date for the submission of the Master's thesis, or confirmation that your Master's thesis has been submitted.
  • Applicants from universities outside Norway are requested to send a diploma supplement or a similar document , which describes in detail the study programme and grading system.
• A copy of the Master's thesis. If you recently submitted your Master's thesis, you are encouraged to attach a draft of the thesis. Documentation of a completed Master's degree must be presented before taking up the position.
• If you have publications or other relevant research work, submit them.
• You are encouraged to include documentation of English language proficiency if you are not a native speaker of English.
• Name and contact information of three referees.

If all, or parts, of your education has been taken abroad, we also ask you to attach documentation of the scope and quality of your entire education, both Bachelor's and Master's education, in addition to other higher education. If your institution uses “diploma supplement” (normal for most European institutions), you must attach this. A description of the documentation required can also be found here . If you already have a statement from Norwegian Directorate for Higher Education and Skills (HK-dir) , please attach this as well.

Joint work will be considered. If it is difficult to identify your contribution to joint work, you must attach a brief description of your participation.

When assessing the best qualified, we emphasize necessary qualifications such as education, experience and personal suitability. Motivation for the position, ambitions, and potential for research will also count when assessing the candidates.
NTNU recognizes a wide range of academic contributions and has committed itself to The San Francisco Declaration on Research Assessment and CoARA (responsible assessment of research and recognition of a greater breadth of academic contributions in accordance with NTNU's social mission).

General information

A public list of applicants with name, age, job title and municipality of residence is prepared after the application deadline. If you wish to be exempt from entry on the public applicant list, this must be justified. Assessment will be made in accordance with current legislation . You will be notified if the exemption is not granted.

If you have any questions about the position, please contact Associate Professor Vijay Venu Vadlamudi by email at [e-mail] .

If you have any questions about the recruitment process, please contact Head of Office Bodil Wold by e-mail at [e-mail] .

Application deadline: 19.10.2026

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For practical information about working at NTNU, please visit this webpage.

The city of Trondheim is a modern European city with a rich cultural scene. Trondheim is the tech capital of Norway with a population of 200,000.The Norwegian welfare state, including healthcare, schools, kindergartens and overall equality, is probably the best of its kind in the world. Professional subsidized day-care for children is easily available. Furthermore, Trondheim offers great opportunities for education (including international schools) and possibilities to enjoy nature, culture and family life and has low crime rates and clean air quality.