Your Job:

In this PhD project, you will explore the stability and dynamic behaviour of inverter-based power systems, using state-of-the-art supercomputing infrastructure.

You’ll work at the cutting edge of energy systems and computational engineering, developing scalable methods to simulate and secure IBR-dominated grids.

Your key responsibilities include:

• Conducting large-scale simulations to study grid stability, fault propagation, and recovery dynamics.
  
• Analyzing control and protection strategies using high-resolution time-domain models.
  
• Developing dynamic models for grid-forming and grid-following inverters.
  
• Implementing and optimizing scalable algorithms for transient and stability analyses on HPC architectures (CPU, GPU, hybrid).
  
• Enhancing the numerical robustness and efficiency of existing simulation frameworks.
  
• Publishing and presenting your results at international conferences and in peer-reviewed journals.
  
• Mentoring students and contributing to collaborative, interdisciplinary research projects.
  
• Disseminate your findings through scientific publications, conferences, and collaborations
  
• Supervise Bachelor’s and Master’s students

Your Profile:

• Excellent Master’s degree in electrical engineering
  
• Very strong mathematical and algorithmic background
  
• Programming experience (Python, C++, etc.)
  
• Familiarity with parallel programming frameworks (e.g. MPI, CUDA)
  
• Fluent in written and spoken English
  
• Strong analytical and independent working style
  
• Excellent teamwork and communication skills
  

You are independent, motivated, and passionate about shaping the energy transition—if this describes you, we encourage you to apply!

Our Offer:

Join a diverse and supportive research group at one of Europe’s leading research centers, where you will work on cutting-edge energy system models developing solutions for Europe energy system decarbonization. You will have access world-class infrastructure (including the Jülich Supercomputing Centre), and develop skills to advance your future career in academia or industry.

We offer ideal conditions for you to complete your doctoral degree:

• Pursue a PhD at RWTH Aachen University under the supervision of Prof. Benigni
  
• Access cutting-edge infrastructure, including the Jülich Supercomputing Centre
  
• Participate in projects, meetings, and international conferences
  
• 30 days of annual leave and flexible working arrangements, including partial remote work
  
• Strong support and mentoring for building a career in academia or industry
  
• Professional development through JuDocS, including training courses, networking, and structured continuing education ( https://www.fz-juelich.de/en/judocs )
  
• Targeted services for international employees, e.g. through our International Advisory Service
  

The position is for a fixed term of 3,5 years, where the first 6 months serve as orientation and probation period. Pay is in line with 13 (75%) of pay group 13 of the Collective Agreement for the Public Service (TVöD-Bund) and additionally 60 % of a monthly salary as special payment ("Christmas bonus"). The monthly salaries in euro can be found on the BMI website: https://go.fzj.de/bmi.tvoed.entgelt Further information on doctoral degrees at Forschungszentrum Jülich (including its various branch offices) is available at https://www.fz-juelich.de/en/careers/phd

In addition to exciting tasks and the collaborative working atmosphere at Forschungszentrum Jülich, we have a lot more to offer ( https://www.fz-juelich.de/en/careers/julich-as-an-employer/benefits ).

We welcome applications from people with diverse backgrounds, e.g. in terms of age, gender, disability, sexual orientation / identity, and social, ethnic and religious origin. A diverse and inclusive working environment with equal opportunities in which everyone can realize their potential is important to us.

The following links provide further information on diversity and equal opportunities: https://go.fzj.de/equality and and on the targeted promotion of women: https://go.fzj.de/womens-job-journey