The University of Vaasa creates an inspiring environment for meaningful work as part of a thriving and diverse university community. Our open-minded, multidisciplinary research responds to the challenges of our time and creates a more responsible future. Our internationally respected education gives students the skills and attitude to change tomorrow. The core of our university is made up of high-level expertise in business sciences, technology and administration and communication sciences. Science-specific research is complemented by our phenomenon-oriented research platforms.

We are offering a fixed term position of a Project Researcher (PhD student) starting January 2025 or as soon as agreed and ending in September 2026. The position is located in the School of Technology and Innovations and Smart Electric Systems research group. The position is full-time.

We are seeking a highly motivated and skilled person to join the research team working in our FREESI laboratory on the GCCS research project (Grid Code Certification by Simulation) funded by Business Finland. The project is executed in close collaboration with several industrial partners and involves the development of advanced power hardware in the loop (PHIL) setups for testing converters and their controllers.

All tasks are agreed in more detail in the Annual Work Plan. The annual working time is 1612 hours.

Requirements

Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering, with specialization in Power Electronics or Power Systems.
Proven ability to conduct independent scientific research and interest in pursuing PhD degree.
Strong knowledge and previous experience relating to the power electronics and the control of converters (both DC/DC and DC/AC) are essential prerequisites.
A necessary requirement for the position is previous experience on working or experimenting with power electronics hardware and related laboratory setups.
Previous knowledge about simulation tools like Matlab/Simulink, dSPACE, OPAL-RT, and Typhoon HIL is seen as valuable asset.
Studies relating to the grid integration of inverter based distributed energy resources are seen as beneficial.
Fluent written and spoken English language skills are mandatory in the position.

To be eligible for a full PhD student status, the candidate is required to participate in a separate application process which is arranged at least twice a year in order to be admitted and enrolled as a doctoral student at the University of Vaasa. For more information about eligibility and the application process, please visit the Graduate School's website: Doctoral education | University of Vaasa (uwasa.fi)

We are offering

We are strongly networked and responsible actors in research, education and public relations. As a work community, our team is diverse, international and encouraging. The cooperation and support of colleagues promotes well-being and inspires working.

The salary will be based on both the job requirement and the employee’s personal performance in accordance with the Finnish University Salary System. The monthly salary of a Project Researcher (PhD Student) is based on job demand levels 2-4 (€ 2225-3300). An additional personal salary component is included based on work performance.

How to apply

To apply for this position, please use our online application system (using the “Leave an application” button below). The application, including appendices, has to be submitted using our online application database no later than 20th November 2024.

The application should include the following annexes in English (See instructions concerning these annexes: https://www.uwasa.fi/en/open-positions/application-attachments):

Curriculum vitae
Additional attachment 1. Single-page cover letter describing your motivation for this topic of research
Additional attachment 2. Transcript of study records in a PDF format
Additional attachment 3. List of Publications

Further Information:

Professor Kimmo Kauhaniemi, phone. +358 29 449 8287, email: kimmo.kauhaniemi(a)uwasa.fi

Inquiries about the online application system: careers (a) uwasa.fi

The employment is subject to a 6 month probationary period.

The University of Vaasa is located on the West coast of Finland at the heart of Northern Europe’s largest energy and environment business cluster. The University of Vaasa is well positioned to interact actively with the surrounding society – internationally, nationally and regionally. Our community includes 5,000 students and 600 employees from 80 countries. As an employer, we focus on employee well-being at work by providing extensive occupational health care, flexible working time arrangements and opportunities for competence development. We have been awarded the HR Excellence in Research recognition. Read more about Working at the University | University of Vaasa (uwasa.fi)