Cosimulation and data analytics for secure power systems

(ref. BAP-2021-548)

Laatst aangepast : 2/07/2021

The department of electrical engineering (ESAT) at KU Leuven is looking for a post-doc in the domain of cyber security for smart grids, focussing on cosimulation and data-analytics. The post-doc will be part of the ELECTA (electrical energy systems and applications) research unit, which hosts 6 professors, 10+ postdocs and senior researchers, 12 technical and administrative staff and 50+ PhD students, and is active in many projects. It is a co-founder of EnergyVille; a knowledge centre focused on sustainable energy and intelligent energy systems. It combines the strengths and expertise of its partners, KU Leuven, VITO, UHasselt and imec, with the aim of reaching the top 5 in innovative energy research in Europe. Since 2016 EnergyVille has great research infrastructure in Genk. The main work location can be Leuven or Genk. The project: The energy transition leads towards smarter electric power systems taking the form of cyber-physical systems in which the electric power grids are strongly interlinked with a growing number of information and communication systems. The project CYPRESS aims at developing novel knowledge, methods and tools needed to help ensuring the security of supply through the transmission grid, while accounting for the specific nature of cyber-threats and integrating them into a coherent probabilistic risk management approach. Our research unit electa is responsible to set up a real-time co-simulation platform to demonstrate such cyber-threats, evaluate their impact on the grid reliability, and develop mitigation approaches. Data analytics come in handy for this.

Responsibilities

•    Design, develop, and maintain a co-simulation platform that integrates a real-time grid simulator (e.g., RTDS) and a communication network simulator (e.g., ns-3); in cooperation with the CYPRESS project partners
•    Define and simulate test scenarios related to cyber-threats in the electric transmission system demonstrate the impact on the security of supply
•    Develop (data-driven) methodologies for the assessment and mitigation of cyber-threats within the scope of transmission grid reliability and resilience; this includes the evaluation and predictability of their consequences, as well as automated detection of the related cyber-attacks.

Profile

We are looking for a motivated post-doc with a PhD in Engineering Science (electrical engineering, energy science, computer engineering...) or alike and with a strong interest, and preferably proven experience, in electric power grids, data science, software engineering, communication networks, and cyber-security. Having performed doctoral research in a combination of those topics is considered a plus.

In addition, the candidate should hold good networking, communication and presentation skills in English, be able to independently complete research, and be motivated to collaborate with and supervise PhD students.

Offer

•    You will be part of a high-profile project with great scientific potential.

•    We offer you an excellent scientific environment in a top-ranked university with state-of-the-art technology available at the EnergyVille labs.

•    You will get good remuneration and benefits.

A 1 -year position is offered, with potential continuation at least for the remaining duration of the CYPRESS project (until November 2025)

Interested?

For more information please contact Prof. dr. ir. Geert Deconinck, tel.: +32 16 32 11 26, mail: [email protected].

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