PhD position in electricity supply at airports with new electric aircraft - Hiring in process/Finished, not possible to apply

Electrification and digitalisation are among the largest areas for the future in the conversion to sustainable societies. The Department of Electrical Engineering  conducts successful research and education in the areas - renewable energy sources, electric vehicles, industrial IoT, 6G communication and wireless sensor networks as well as research and education within Life Science, smart electronic sensors and medical systems. The Department of Electrical Engineering is an international workplace with around 150 employees that all contribute to important technical energy and health challenges at the Ångström Laboratory.

Come and work with us!
The position will be at the division of electricity, at the Department of Electrical Engineering. Here you will find a pleasant working environment with a PhD student network and exciting projects. The Department of Electrical Engineering collaborates with Swedish companies - public and private - stakeholders within the research areas. We look forward to your application for your future work with us for the future of electric flights and electricity supply at the airports.

Project description
In this research project, you as a doctoral student have the opportunity to contribute to research and development for future electrified and sustainable transport system, with a focus on aviation.

The project YourFlight is a collaboration between Skellefteå Airport and Uppsala University. As a new PhD student at the Division of Electricity, you will work with the project in this research area. Electric aircraft of the future creates new demands on airports, for example regarding available power for charging. In order to meet the enhanced electricity supply at the airports, there are several options, such as rebuilding parts of the electric grid to the airports, adding local battery storage or with local electricity generation from renewable energy sources.

The research project is based on the latest research and development of electric aircraft and charging infrastructure. The three research questions intended to be answered are these: 1. How can the airport meet the need for electricity for more electric aircraft and electric vehicles, with battery storage and/or expansion of the electric grid locally and what are its pros and cons and innovation opportunities? 2. Which innovations of battery-powered electric aircraft, eVTOLs and charging infrastructure can contribute to sustainable, resilient and electrified travel in the coming years? 3. What impact do particular national conditions have on charging strategies for electric aircraft at airports and what new strategies can be developed to meet national conditions and needs? The YourFlight research project includes both modeling and experimental work.

We have an exciting work environment designed by the doctoral student and the research team together. The doctoral student will be supervised by at least two supervisors. The Department of Electrical Engineering also gives a salary supplement in addition to the local guidelines for doctoral students at Uppsala University.

Your application is very welcome.

Duties

• Research on electric aircraft and airports with charging infrastructure and battery systems, based on, for example, literature studies, interviews, modelling and experiments.
• Present the research both orally and in writing, for example in journal articles and at international conference.
• Collaborate with researchers at Uppsala University and at Skellefteå Airport, and to contribute to the YourFlight-project.
• The work duties can also include teaching and other departmental duties. No more than 20%.

Requirements

• The applicant must hold a master degree in, for example, engineering physics, energy systems, electrical engineering, environmental engineering or a similar field.
• Knowledge of modeling tools such as Matlab/Simulink or similar.
• Experience in experimental work.
• Very good oral and written proficiency in English; very good knowledge of Swedish is a merit.
• We will put an emphasise in your personal qualities such as that you show independence, that you are goal- and result oriented, have good cooperation skills and are good at oral communication. 

Additional qualifications
Very good oral and written proficiency in Swedish. Interest in or background in, for example, charging electric vehicles, electric flights, airports, battery technology, renewable electricity generation, energy storage or aspects of sustainability. 

Rules governing PhD students are set out in the Higher Education Ordinance chapter 5, §§ 1-7 and in Uppsala University's rules and guidelines.

Application
Please use the link below. You should include a brief description of your research interests and relevant experience, a CV, copies of diplomas and certificates, thesis (or a draft thereof) and other relevant documents. You are encouraged to provide contact information to reference.

About the employment
The employment is a temporary position according to the Higher Education Ordinance chapter 5 § 7. Scope of employment 100 %. Starting date as agreed. Placement: Uppsala 

For further information about the position, please contact: Jennifer Leijon, 0722529212, jennifer.leijon@angstrom.uu.se 

Please submit your application by December 8th, 2023, UFV-PA 2023/3649.

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