Research Assistant in Power Electronics

University of Aberdeen - School of Engineering

College / University Administration: College of Physical Sciences

Position Type: Full-time

University Grade Structure: Grade 5

Salary: £25,251 - £28,401

Job Summary:

This post is part of large collaborative research project with different research partners in the UK and China, funded by the Engineering and Physical Science Research Council (EPSRC).

UK has enormous wind power potential which theoretically can well exceed total national energy demand. Much of this energy is located offshore or in remote sites like North Scotland which have no electrical grid infrastructure. Traditional methods of interconnecting these remote sources are inadequate and fundamentally new interconnecting grids are required.

DC/DC converters and DC hubs will play essential role in future DC grids. This project will develop and demonstrate a hardware prototype of a multiterminal DC hub which can interconnect multiple DC lines. The simulation study will be based on PSCAD/EMTDC/SIMULINK modelling and practical implementation will be based on MATLAB and C/C++ programming software. The researcher will take a leading role in building a 30kW (200V/200V/900V) 3-terminal DC/DC/DC prototype, and testing the system.

The Power Systems group at Aberdeen has around 12 members and considerable expertise in the area of HVDC, DC grids and power electronics. We have significant externally-funded research program and collaborative links with many major industry and academic players in Power industry. The research assistant will benefit from expert support within the group and association with School/University with strong research facilities and research excellence.

We are seeking outstanding research assistant to engage on modelling/experimental research, and to follow new ideas and vision. Building on your knowledge and experience in power electronics, power systems, mathematical modelling, and simulation you will be contributing in pioneering research that may have significant impact on Power Industry.

You should have an undergraduate or Masters Degree in Electrical/Electronics Engineering. Some experience with power electronics simulation (PSpice, PSCAD, SimPowerSystems MATLAB, ...) is essential. It is also important to have background experience with hardware converter development. In addition to right technical background, you will be an ambitious, enthusiastic person with good interpersonal and solid analytical skills who can work independently and as part of a team.

As this post is funded by EPSRC it will be offered for a period of 36 months.

Salary will be at the appropriate point on the Grade 5 scale (£25,251 - £28,401 per annum), with placement according to qualifications and experience.

Informal enquiries may be made to Dr Khaled Ahmed (khaled@abdn.ac.uk).

Should you require a visa to undertake paid employment in the UK you will be required to fulfil the minimum points criteria to be granted a Certificate of Sponsorship and Tier 2 visa. As appropriate, at the time an offer of appointment is made you will be asked to demonstrate that you fulfil the criteria in respect of financial maintenance and competency in English. Please do not hesitate to contact Melanie Noble, HR Adviser, for further information on this.

Job Reference Number: ENG027R.

The closing date for the receipt of applications is 15 November 2012.

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