PhD Position in Large-Signal Modelling and Transient Stability Analysis of Wind Turbine Generators under Grid Fault Conditions

The WindConnect (wind farm control and integration in sector-coupled power systems https://cordis.europa.eu/project/id/101227683) consortium unites leading experts from academia and industry across Europe, leveraging expertise in wind energy, power systems, power electronics, control engineering, artificial intelligence, and energy economics. This multidisciplinary collaboration addresses the pressing challenges of integrating wind energy into sector-coupled power systems including green hydrogen production, while ensuring grid stability, flexibility, and sustainability.

At the Faculty of Engineering and Science, AAU Energy, a position as PhD stipend is available within the general study program. The PhD stipend is open for appointments from 1st March 2027 or soon after. The position is for 3 years, and it is funded by the Marie Sklodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) Doctoral Networks programme under the WindConnect project.

On the date of recruitment (expected to be 1 March 2027), applicants must not have resided or carried out their main activity (work, studies, etc.) in Denmark for more than 12 months during the 36 months immediately preceding the recruitment date. Applicants must not hold a doctoral degree at the date of recruitment.

The project offers you competitive salaries (plus allowances) and funding for technical and personal skills training and participation in international research events.

You will participate in international secondments to other organisations in the network.

AAU Energy is a dynamic engineering research department in continuous growth and inspiring surroundings. AAU Energy has a very international environment and covers all areas of clean and sustainable energy systems of the future within electrical, thermal and mechatronic energy technology. AAU Energy has campuses in both Aalborg and Esbjerg, this position is located in Aalborg.

The mission is to be world leading in both research and research-based education of the energy engineers of the future. AAU Energy has approx. 300 employees of many nationalities, of which 25 are administrative staff. In addition, AAU Energy constantly has approx. 50-70 guest researchers from around the world.

Research and teaching are in the absolute world elite in the field of energy, and we have extensive and leading workshop and laboratory facilities, where research and innovation are carried out in direct collaboration with industry to a great extent.

The position is offered in relation to the research program "Power Electronic Control Reliability and System Optimization" and the PhD Student will be positioned to the section for “Applied Power Electronic Systems”.

The increasing integration of wind turbine generators significantly alters power system dynamics, particularly under grid fault conditions. While grid-forming (GFM) wind turbine generators contribute to voltage and frequency regulation, they may exhibit significant nonlinear large-signal behaviour during disturbances, including current limiting, control mode switching, and loss of synchronism. In multi-converter systems, these transient dynamics are further shaped by interactions among multiple GFM units and the surrounding grid strength. Conventional small-signal models are therefore inadequate, motivating large-signal modelling and transient stability analysis frameworks for GFM wind turbine generators under grid faults.

This poses the following key research questions:

How can large-signal models of GFM wind turbine generators be developed to accurately capture nonlinear dynamics, particularly current limiting and control mode transitions during grid faults?

How do multiple wind turbine generators interact during grid faults, and how do grid strength and system configurations influence their transient stability?

What are the dominant dynamic mechanisms governing transient stability, and how can reduced-order models be developed while preserving the essential nonlinear dynamics and stability characteristics?

This project will be in close collaboration with Ørsted. The PhD student is expected to work closely with colleagues from Ørsted and visit their facilities. The aim of this PhD project is to develop large-signal modelling and transient stability analysis methods for wind turbine generators under grid fault conditions, with particular emphasis on multi-inverter systems. The project seeks to identify key mechanisms affecting transient stability and to provide modelling and analysis tools that support robust control and protection design for future wind-dominated power systems.

Qualification requirements

PhD stipends are allocated to individuals who hold a Master's degree. PhD stipends are normally for a period of 3 years. It is a prerequisite for allocation of the stipend that the candidate will be enrolled as a PhD student at the Doctoral School of Engineering and Science in accordance with the regulations of Ministerial Order No. 872 of 6 October 2026 on the PhD Programme at the Universities and Certain Higher Artistic Educational Institutions. According to the Ministerial Order, the progress of the PhD student shall be assessed at regular points in time. As part of the PhD study, you are among other things required to complete PhD courses corresponding to 30 ECTS, gain experience with teaching or other forms of knowledge dissemination and complete an external research stay outside of Aalborg University, preferably 3-6 months at a foreign research institution.

How to apply

Your application must include the following:

Application, stating reasons for applying and qualifications in relation to the position

Curriculum Vitae (CV)

Diplomas (bachelor's and master's degree diploma, including grades)

Project description (3-5 pages), which describes the applicant’s initial thoughts and ideas related to the specific project applied for. This includes a brief state-of-the-art (including short list of references), a time schedule and how the applicant intends to shed light on the project objectives. All documentation should be in English and merged in a single PDF document. Please note that applications which do not follow the announcement’s guidelines will not be considered.

Other relevant documents

Applicants should have an excellent academic background and hold a master’s degree or equivalent qualification in Electrical Engineering, Control Engineering, Energy Engineering, Mathematics, or a closely related field. Knowledge or experience in power electronic converters and their control will be an advantage. Applicants who are in the final stage of their master’s studies are also encouraged to apply, provided that they complete their degree before the fellowship begins.

Strong motivation and potential for academic research, with the ability to work both independently and collaboratively. Creativity, initiative, and an open-minded approach to research are highly valued.

Knowledge or experience in modelling, control and stability analysis of grid-connected power electronic converters, particularly GFM converters, and power system stability analysis will be an advantage.

Experience with simulation and programming tools, such as MATLAB/Simulink, PSCAD, or equivalent platforms, will be an advantage.

Excellent written and spoken English communication skills. Publications in international peer-reviewed journals or conferences will be considered an advantage.

The application must be submitted via Aalborg University’s recruitment system, which can be accessed under the job advertisement on Aalborg University's website.

Aalborg University wants to reflect the surrounding society and has diversity as a core value. Therefore, everyone, regardless of personal background and orientation, is encouraged to apply for the position.

Do you have any questions?

If you have any questions about the position, you are more than welcome to contact us. You will find contact persons at the bottom of the jobpost.

Further information

Read more about our recruitment process here.

The assessment of candidates for the position will be carried out by qualified experts.

Shortlisting will be applied. This means that after the application deadline, the head of the department, with the assistance of the hiring committee, will select the applicants to be assessed. All applicants will be informed whether they have been shortlisted for assessment or not.

The hiring process at Aalborg University may include a risk assessment as a tool to identify potential risks associated with new hires, ensuring the safety, compliance, and integrity of the workplace.

Read more about The Doctoral School of Engineering and Science

Salary and terms of employment

The employment is in accordance with the Ministerial Order on the Appointment of Academic Staff at Universities and the Ministerial Order on Job Structure for Academic Staff at Universities. Furthermore, your terms of employment and salary are in accordance with the collective agreement between the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations and the state (AC collective agreement).

You can find information about the salary and salary structure for the position in the Salary Overview for Recruitment - Scientific positions (VIP). Please refer to the introductory section of the page and the section entitled “PhD Fellow”.

There is a mutual probationary period of 3 months for the position.

Aalborg University - Knowledge for the world

Aalborg University is an international workplace with more than 3,700 employees. We offer real-world-oriented education and create world-class research results through collaboration between researchers, students, and public and private companies. This is how we achieve insights, new solutions to societal problems, and knowledge that changes the world. Our main campus is in Aalborg, but we also have campuses in Esbjerg and Copenhagen. Contacts Frede Blaabjerg: +4599409254, fbl@energy.aau.dk Sara Mors Andersen: HR@energy.aau.dk