Engineer I, Validation

Key takeaways

• Hours 40 hr.
• Salary indication Salary gross/monthly
  based on full-time € 3,877 - € 5,090
• Deadline 6 Jun 2024

As a Postdoctoral Fellow, you will play a key role in this project. You will be the solution architect, responsible for:

• System definition and modeling: Define the EV battery system architecture and develop high-fidelity multi-physics models suitable for digital twin application.
• Digital twin development: Implement the digital twin framework, including data integration, model development, communication protocols, and validation.
• State estimation and control: implement advanced methods for estimating battery internal states and temperature distribution using the digital twin for optimized battery performance and lifespan
• Collaboration: Work closely with PhD students on battery-related research and contribute to scientific publications and presentations.

Your profile

• Required PhD in Electrical Engineering, Physics, Computer Science, or a related field with a focus on modeling and simulation.
• Desired knowledge and experience in building digital twins of complex systems, including data integration, model development, communication, and validation.
• Experience on applying systems thinking.
• Strong understanding of battery systems and how they integrate with other parts of an overall electrical system, including operation, degradation mechanisms, battery management systems, (BMS), thermal management systems (TMS), and existing state-of-the-art models.
• Experience with building experimental setups for (battery) systems.
• Experience with battery cyclers, BMS and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) is highly desirable.
• Required proficiency in programming languages for data analytics and dynamic systems simulations, e.g., MATLAB/Simulink, Python, c++, etc.
• Familiarity with real time simulation software e.g., HIL, RTDS, OPAL, etc.
• Experience with control of battery converters and FEM analysis (a plus).
• Excellent written and oral communication skills in English.
• Good ability to communicate results in oral presentations and prepare scientific papers for publication in international journals and conferences.
• Motivation to learn new concepts and apply general knowledge on digital twins to extend to other applications, e.g., power systems integration.

Our offer

• You will be appointed for a period of maximum 2 years full-time within a very stimulating scientific environment. The university offers a dynamic ecosystem with enthusiastic colleagues.
• Your salary and associated conditions are in accordance with the collective labour agreement for Dutch universities (CAO-NU);
• Gross salary between € 3877.,- and € 5090,- per month depending on experience and qualifications;
• Excellent benefits including a holiday allowance of 8% of the gross annual salary, a year-end bonus of 8.3% and a solid pension scheme;
• The flexibility to work (partially) from home;
• Free access to sports facilities on campus
• A minimum of 232 leave hours in case of full-time employment based on a formal workweek of 38 hours. A full-time employment in practice means 40 hours a week, therefore resulting in 96 extra leave hours on an annual basis.
• Excellent support for research and facilities for professional and personal development.
• We encourage a high degree of responsibility and independence, while collaborating with close colleagues, researchers and other university staff.
• We are also a family-friendly institution that offers parental leave (both paid and unpaid) and career support for partners.

Information and application

Are you interested in this position? Please send your application via the button below before 06 June 2024, and include:

• A detailed CV including a list of publications.
• A brief cover letter (maximum 2 pages) highlighting your research interests and suitability for the position.
• Names and contact details of 2-3 referees (they will be approached only if the candidate is shortlisted).

For more information regarding this position, you are welcome to contact Dr. Nataly Bañol Arias (m.n.banolarias@utwente.nl) and Dr. Prasanth Venugopal (prasanth.venugopal@utwente.nl)

About the department

The Power Electronics and EMC is a multidisciplinary group that investigates various aspects of energy conversion systems, including

Battery Electronics, Electromagnetic Compatibility, Energy Access, Smart Grids, Power Electronics Technology, and Power and Energy Measurement Systems. It poses excellent laboratory facilities for performing advanced battery characterization, performance testing and next-gen BMS development. The systems engineering and multidisciplinary design group (SEMD) investigates designing in the field of multidisciplinary systems and researchs the role of Systems Engineering (SE) as an integrative discipline next to the traditional engineering fields. Currently, SEMD performs research in Electric and Smart Mobility, Energy Transition, High-Tech systems, System-based Digital Twins, Rehabilitation, and Footwear.

About the organisation

The faculty of Electrical Engineering, Mathematics and Computer Science (EEMCS) uses mathematics, electronics and computer technology to contribute to the development of Information and Communication Technology (ICT). With ICT present in almost every device and product we use nowadays, we embrace our role as contributors to a broad range of societal activities and as pioneers of tomorrows digital society. As part of a people-first tech university that aims to shape society, individuals and connections, our faculty works together intensively with industrial partners and researchers in the Netherlands and abroad, and conducts extensive research for external commissioning parties and funders. Our research has a high profile both in the Netherlands and internationally. It has been accommodated in three multidisciplinary UT research institutes: Mesa+ Institute, TechMed Centre and Digital Society Institute.