PhD Scholarship in Design optimizer tool and predictive control system of a Megawatt Charging System

1 - Working at the VUB

For more than 50 years, the Vrije Universiteit Brussel has stood for freedom, equality and solidarity, and this is very much alive on our campuses among students and staff alike. 

At the VUB, you will find a diverse collection of personalities: innovators pur sang, but above all people who are 100% their authentic selves. With some 4,000 employees, we are the largest Dutch-speaking employer, in the private sector, in Brussels; an international city with which we are only too happy to connect and where (around) our 4 campuses are located. 

Add to this our principle of free research - in which self-reflection, a critical attitude and an open, creative mind around scientific and social issues are central - and you have a university that is fundamentally groundbreaking and pioneering in education and research. In short: the VUB all over again. 

Moreover, the VUB is a member of EUTOPIA, an alliance of like-minded European universities, all ready to reinvent themselves.

2 - Position description

The Faculty of Engineering, Department Elektrotechniek en energietechniek, MOBI Electromobility Research Centre is looking for a PhD-student with a doctoral grant. 

More concretely your work package, for the preparation of a doctorate, contains: 

You will work in the EPOWERS group of the MOBI Research Centre (Electromobility Research Centre). 

Our Mission as EPOWERS Research Group is to offer and deliver cutting-edge research, provide top-notch designs and developments on power electronics, powertrains and smart green energy solutions with intelligent control systems for tomorrow's mobility, transport and smart green grid applications, with our ever-growing team of top-level researchers and experts.

EPOWERS level of expertise can be seen through:

•    our academic record at the world's most renowned academic journals in relevant fields;
•    our established national and international network of companies and research institutes; 
•    and the content of the ever-growing number of projects we are involved in.

EPOWERS follows local and global trends, bilaterally interacting and collaborating with all varieties of research, technology, business, public, and political entities to contribute to the shaping of tomorrow's transport, mobility and green energy systems. 

EPOWERS is also part of MOBI Core Lab within Flanders Make - Driving Innovation. 

You will conduct research and work towards a PhD.
•    You specialize in the following topic: Development of a design optimizer tool and predictive control system of a Megawatt Charging System and local grid;
•    You work on projects independently;
•    You will present your work at international conferences and publish your work in Q1 or Q2 journals.
 

For this function, our Brussels Humanities, Sciences & Engineering Campus (Elsene) will serve as your home base. 

3 - Profile

What do we expect from you?

• You have a master's degree in Electrical Engineering or an equivalent diploma.

• Enthusiasm and motivation to work on highly challenging research topics, and the talent to contribute to the progress of science and technology.

   

  • Good knowledge of MATLAB/Simulink;
  • Good knowledge and experience in Power Electronics converters and their control system;
  • Basic knowledge of simulation of hybrid micro/nano-grid modelling (multi-source topologies either DC or AC);
  • Good knowledge of metaheuristic design optimization of power electronics systems;
  • Strong analytical and research capabilities;
  • Ability to independently organize your own work, to solve problems, to achieve the desired goals and to cooperate;
  • Good scientific writing and documentation skills;
  • Excellent communication skills.  You are fluent in written and spoken English, knowledge of Dutch is a plus;
  • Work experience in an industrial environment is a plus;
  • Project management skills are a plus.
     

• You have not performed any works in the execution of a mandate as an assistant, paid from operating resources, over a total (cumulated) period of more than 12 months.

The VUB wants to be a reflection of the society where everyone's talent is valued, regardless of gender, age, religion, skin color, migration background, disability and neurodiversity.

4 - Offer

Are you going to be our new colleague?

You’ll be offered a full-time PhD-scholarship, for 12 months (extendable up to max. 48 months, on condition of the positive evaluation of the PhD activities), with planned starting date 01/12/2024. 

You’ll receive a grant linked to one of the scales set by the government.

IMPORTANT: The effective result of the doctorate scholarship is subject to the condition precedent of your enrolment as a doctorate student at the university.

At the VUB, you’re guaranteed an open, involved and diverse workplace where you are offered opportunities to (further) build on your career.

As well as this, you will also enjoy various other benefits:

• Extensive homeworking options, a telework allowance of 50 euros per month OR an internet fee of 20 euros per month;
• An open and informal working environment where attention is paid to work-life balance, and exceptional holiday arrangements with 35 days of leave (based on a fulltime contract), closure between Christmas and New Year and 3 extra leave days;
• Cost-free hospitalisation insurance;
• Full reimbursement of your home-to-work commute with public transport according to VUB-policy, and/or compensation if you come by bike; 
• A wide selection of meals in our campus restaurants at attractive prices;
• Excellent and affordable facilities for sport and exercise, a range of discounts via Benefits@Work (in  all kinds of shops, on flights, in petrol stations, amusement parks...) and Ecocheques; 
• Nursery near campus, discount on holiday camps; 
• The space to form your job content and to continuously learn through our VUB learning platforms and training courses;
• And finally: great colleagues with a healthy drive.

5 - Interested?

Is this the job you’ve been dreaming of?

Then apply, at the latest on 01/12/2024, via jobs.vub.be, and upload the following documents:

• your CV;
• your motivation letter;
• your diploma.

Do you have questions about the job content? Contact Prof. Omar Hegazy at Omar.hegazy@vub.be or on +3226292992.

Would you like to know what it’s like to work at the VUB? Go to jobs.vub.be, and find all there is to know about our campuses, benefits, strategic goals and your future colleagues.

Would you like more information about EUTOPIA? Go to eutopia-university.eu, and read more about the role of the VUB in the development of the EUTOPIA alliance.