Congestion management and connection queue optimization in distribution networks

You will be working at the Ghent campus of KU Leuven, as part of the Electa research group. You will join a large, young, international and growing research group, with strong ties to industry as well as other academic realities in Belgium, Europe, and overseas.
Electa is part of EnergyVille, a collaboration between the Belgian research partners KU Leuven, VITO, imec and UHasselt in the fields of sustainable energy and intelligent energy systems. Spread across the different campuses of Electa and EnergyVille, tens of colleagues (PhD students, postdocs, permanent research staff and lab engineers) work on a variety of related energy problems, making it a stimulating work environment.

The PhD will be performed in the framework of the Arenberg doctoral school: https://set.kuleuven.be/phd . The position if full-time and fully-funded for four years, which is the nominal duration of a PhD program at KU Leuven.

Project

We are looking for a highly motivated, enthusiastic and communicative researcher with a Master degree in (Electrical) Engineering, Mathematics, Physics or a relevant related field, from a reputable institute. Both EU and international candidates are welcome to apply.

You should have obtained excellent study results, and you should be keen on disseminating your research results by means of scientific publications, and/or conferences and talks.

Furthermore,

• Candidates should have a strong interest in energy, and prior background (education or professional experience) in power systems modeling/analysis is highly valued.

• Experience with optimization and estimation methods - even outside energy-related problems - is highly valued.
  
• Good programming skills and experience with Matlab/Python/GAMS/Julia is a significant plus.
• Applicants should have good English communication skills.
• Prior research and publication experience is not expected but is a plus.
• You are a capable of working independently as well as in a team

KU Leuven is is currently the largest university in Belgium in terms of research funding and expenditure, and is among the top European universities according to the Times Higher Education ranking, as well as the Reuters Top 100 of the World's most innovative institutions. The Electa research group of the Department of Electrical Engineering is a key player in the field of energy research, also thanks to its collaboration with the EnergyVille research centre.

You will be part of a young and international team that addresses a broad range of research challenges related to the energy transition.

We offer:

• A full-time and well-funded PhD position with full social security
  
• Multiple benefits (health insurance, laptop, funding to attend international conferences or schools, ...)
  
• The initial appointment is for 12 months, to be extended for subsequent years on the condition of positive evaluation by the doctoral commission
• A PhD degree in Engineering at the end of the fourth year, if the candidate is successful
• A highly specialized doctoral training
• An exciting work environment in a team with different skill sets working in projects for the industry and in public R&D projects with industry involvement.
  
• While not strictly required for the completion of this project, EnergyVille has state-of-the-art laboratory facilities, which the PhD student may use, if meaningful

For more information please contact Prof. dr. Marta Vanin, mail: marta.vanin@kuleuven.be.

Tewerkstellingspercentage: Voltijds

Locatie: Gent

Solliciteren tot en met:
27/06/2026 23:59 CET

Tags: Elektrotechniek