Doctoral Researcher (Automatic control for resilient cyber-physical renewable energy systems)

Website Tampere University

The Dependability and Automation Research in Cyber-Physical Systems (DARES) Group, part of the Dependable Systems Cyber Laboratories at Tampere University, Finland, is pleased to announce the opening of a Doctoral Researcher position.  This position focuses on “Automatic Control for Resilient Cyber-Physical Renewable Energy Systems.” It offers an exciting opportunity to engage in innovative research at the intersection of advanced control systems, cyber-physical systems, renewable energies, and microgrid technologies.

Job Description

As renewable energy systems are becoming increasingly digital, smarter, interconnected and thus more efficient, they are facing new and complex challenges related to their physical and cyber components. Due to these rapid evolutions and the new threats of cyber-attacks, these systems’ physical and cyber resilience must be improved. In response to these challenges, the successful candidate for this Doctoral Researcher position will engage in cutting-edge research to develop novel control schemes that are uniquely designed to be both fault-tolerant and attack-resilient. The focus will be on integrating advanced reinforcement learning and adaptive control techniques to enable real-time control adaptation and system reconfiguration. The goal is to proactively address and mitigate the impacts of faults and cyber-attacks before they escalate into major disruptions. This research is crucial for enhancing the resilience and reliability of renewable energy systems, fostering greater trust and wider adoption. Such advancements are key to increasing investments in these technologies, essential to ensure a sustainable energy future.

The exact direction of the research is determined by the project tasks. However, both the research focus and responsibilities can be customized to align with the candidate’s skills, experience, and interests. The position also involves collaboration within a multidisciplinary team to push the boundaries of current knowledge and technology in this field, publishing research findings in reputable journals, presenting at international conferences, and possibly including a few months of mobility to a Canadian partner during the research stages for collaborative work.

Requirements

Applicants are expected to meet the following criteria:

  • Educational Qualification: Must hold a Master’s degree in systems and control, electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, or a related field at the time of application.
  • Academic Background: A solid background in control systems is necessary. Additional knowledge in optimization, reinforcement learning, cybersecurity, and renewable energy systems is highly desirable.
  • Technical Proficiency: Strong skills in MATLAB or Python-based programming are essential. Candidates should also be willing to further develop their MATLAB/Simulink skills.
  • Language Skills: Proficiency in both written and spoken English is required. Applicants should possess excellent communication and interpersonal skills. Proficiency in Finnish is not required.
  • Working Style: Ability to work both independently and as part of a team. Candidates should demonstrate a balance of autonomy and collaborative skills.
  • Additional Competencies: A strong willingness to engage deeply in the research field of cyber-physical systems is highly appreciated. An interest in pursuing a research career and the capacity for hard work are also valued.

Please note that before commencing the position, the selected candidate must apply for a study right within the doctoral program at Tampere University, unless they already have one. Please visit the admissions webpage for more information on eligibility requirements.

Tampere University is a unique, multidisciplinary, forward-thinking, and evolving community. Our values are openness, critical thinking, diversity, learner-centredness, courage, erudition, and responsibility. We hope you can embrace these values and promote them in your role.

We offer

The position will be filled for a fixed-term period of four (4) years, commencing in May 2024 or as soon after that as possible. A trial period of six (6) months applies to all our new employees.

The salary will be based on both the job requirements and the employee’s personal performance in accordance with the Finnish University Salary System. According to the criteria applied to teaching and research staff, the position of a doctoral researcher is placed on level 2-4 of the job requirements scale. A typical starting salary for a Doctoral Researcher is approximately 2700 EUR per month. The salary increases based on experience and the progress of doctoral studies.

Tampere University is strongly committed to the highest level of scientific research and the provision of high-quality doctoral education. The unit and the faculty support the doctoral students by offering training and peer support. The University offers a wide range of staff benefits, such as occupational health care, flexible working hours, excellent sports facilities on campus and several on-campus restaurants and cafés with staff discounts. Please read more about working at Tampere University.

Tampere is the largest inland city in Finland and is considered a major academic hub in the Nordic countries. The region is home to a vibrant, knowledge-intensive entrepreneurial community, and the city is an industrial powerhouse with a rich cultural scene and a reputation as a centre of Finland’s information society. Additionally, Finland is known for being one of the most stable, free, and safe countries in the world, based on various ratings by prominent agencies. Tampere is surrounded by stunning nature, with forests and lakes offering countless opportunities for easy-to-access outdoor adventures and refreshment throughout the year.

Read more about Finland and Tampere:

Visit Finland
This is Finland
Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment: Welcome to Finland
Visit Tampere

How to apply

Please submit your application through our online recruitment system (See the link for further details). The closing date for applications is 01 April 2024 (23:59 EET / 21:59 UTC).

For questions, write to: Assistant Professor, Group Leader Hamed Badihi, hamed.badihi(at)tuni.fi

To apply for this job please visit tuni.rekrytointi.com.