Postdoc in Signal Processing and Machine Learning (readvertisement)

At the Technical Faculty of IT and Design, Department of Architecture, Design and Media Technology, a position as Postdoc in Signal Processing and Machine Learning is open for appointment from April 1st, 2022, or soon hereafter and for a period of 1 year with possibility for extension for another year.  The Department of Architecture, Design, and Media Technology has as its goal the development of an innovative cluster of engineering-based environments for education and research which integrate creativity, engineering and technology within the disciplines of architecture, urban design, industrial design, digital design and interactive media. The department is a leading research and educational environment in Denmark that addresses the challenge of the interplay between creativity and technology, and develops new areas in research and education directed towards the end-user.

An open position as Postdoctoral Researcher for one year with the possibility for extension for another year is available with the research group Audio Analysis Lab. The postdoc will work on the research project Edge AI for High Stability-Robustness of Power Electronics in Modern Power Systems which is an interdisciplinary project funded by the Villum Foundation's Synergy programme, where he/she will work on machine learning and signal processing for power electronics in a joint collaboration between leading experts at Department of Architecture, Design & Media Technology and Department of Energy Technology at Aalborg University.

About the project: Renewable energy resources are increasingly integrated into power systems through power electronic converters, whose control dynamics are critical to the stability and security of the energy supply. The state-of-the-art control systems of power converters are designed based on the deterministic models of power systems, considering a given range of operating conditions. This approach has been effective for the past decades, yet tends to be more vulnerable and sensitive to the fast-evolving power systems. This challenge is mainly brought by the rapid deployment of renewable energy resources, which have radically changed the operation and control paradigm of power systems. Electricity disruptions caused by the instability of power converters used in wind turbines have been increasingly reported. In 2019, an offshore wind farm owned by Ørsted was disconnected from the power grid in the UK due to the instability of wind turbine converters, which caused the power cut for over 1 million people, and Ørsted was charged with £4.5 million for this disruption. To tackle this security challenge of power supply, a cross-disciplinary effort of experts from power engineering, signal processing and machine learning will be dedicated to this project. The overall goal is to exploit modern methods in data sciences to redefine the control architecture for hardening power converters with high stability-robustness in modern power systems. Artificial Intelligence (AI) at the edge, i.e., deep learning algorithms that can be applied in the microcontroller, will be developed for power converters. The expected outcomes will be groundbreaking in power engineering and make major advances in signal processing and system identification theories.  

The successful applicant should have a relevant Ph.D. with experience with signal processing and/or machine learning. Moreover, the successful applicant should be fluent in English (both oral and written), have strong programming and math skills, and be familiar with MATLAB or python (or similar tools). Expertise within electronics is an advantage but is not required. 

The Audio Analysis Lab at Aalborg University conducts basic and applied research in signal processing theory and methods aimed at or involving analysis of audio signals. The research focuses on problems such as compression, analysis, classification, separation, and enhancement of audio signals, as well as localization, identification and tracking using microphone arrays. The lab and its members are currently funded by grants from the Villum Foundation, the Danish Council for Strategic Research, the Danish Council for Independent Research, and Innovations Fund Denmark. The research projects are carried out in close collaboration with leading industrial partners and universities around the world. 

You may obtain further information from Associate Professor Jesper Rindom Jensen, phone: +45 9940 7450, email: [email protected]  concerning the scientific aspects.

Qualification requirements: 

Appointment as Postdoc presupposes scientific qualifications at PhD–level or similar scientific qualifications. The research potential of each applicant will be emphasized in the overall assessment. Appointment as a Postdoc cannot exceed a period of four years in total at Aalborg University.

The application must contain the following:

• A motivated text wherein the reasons for applying, qualifications in relation to the position, and intentions and visions for the position are stated.
• A current curriculum vitae.
• Copies of relevant diplomas (Master of Science and PhD). On request you could be asked for an official English translation.
• Scientific qualifications. A complete list of publications must be attached with an indication of the works the applicant wishes to be considered. You may attach up to 5 publications.
• Dissemination qualifications, including participation on committees or boards, participation in organisations and the like.
• Additional qualifications in relation to the position. References/recommendations.
• Personal data.

The applications are only to be submitted online by using the "Apply online" button below.

Shortlisting will be applied. After the review of any objections regarding the assessment committee, the head of department, with assistance from the chair of the assessment committee, selects the candidates to be assessed. All applicants will be informed as to whether they will advance to assessment or not.

AAU wishes to reflect the diversity of society and welcomes applications from all qualified candidates regardless of personal background or belief.

For further information concerning the application procedure please contact Gritt Højer Larsen by mail [email protected] or phone (+45) 9940 3892. Information regarding guidelines, ministerial circular in force and procedures can be seen here  

Employment is in accordance with the Ministerial Order on the Appointment of Academic Staff at Universities (the Appointment Order) and the Ministry of Finance's current Job Structure for Academic Staff at Universities. Employment and salary are in accordance with the collective agreement for state-employed academics.   

2022-224-03920

13/02/2022