Engineering PhD Scholarships

The University of Genoa is recruiting up to 3 talented and enthusiastic PhD students to start in February 2023 in the Electrical, Electronics and Telecommunication Engineering and Naval Architecture Department (DITEN). 

DITEN carries on various cutting edge research projects in different engineering sectors in close collaboration with many national and international companies and has been recently awarded several national and international research fundings. PhD activities will fall in one or more of the following areas. 

Power systems

Rethinking power systems to accept a strong renewable energies penetration is a key point in the current transition to zero emission. DITEN is very active in this area with different research groups working on relevant topics such as the coexistence of distorting and highly dynamic loads (EV charging, renewables, power drives) and the development of ad-hoc software for the management and optimization of micro and nanogrids in presence of polygeneration, energy storage and high renewable penetration. Two separate microgrids are available for research including PV arrays, battery storage, fuel cells, supercapacitors and micro-gasturbines. Some vehicle charging points are also present enabling research investigation on vehicle-to-grid applications. Naval power systems are also a key research topic with the department who has recently purchase a bridge simulator for the study of vessel automation, power generation and distribution system. 

Power conversion and drives

Electric power conversion and drive systems have a key role in the world green transition. DITEN actively research in the field with particular focus on multilevel converter for high power-high voltage applications, SiC-based technologies, AC machines control, insulation materials and faults detection a diagnostic. Applications include light and heavy transportations (including ships and aircrafts), HVDC converters, cold ironing and drone-based high voltage lines inspections for faults detection. The department is equipped with different laboratories for prototyping and testing of power converters and machines along with high voltage facilities for advanced insulation materials testing and diagnostics. 

Control and complex systems

DITEN carries on different research activities in the field of control and modelling of complex systems. Examples include the design and implementation of embedded Model Predictive Control with particular focus to its implementation on FPGAs, modelling of nonlinear complex systems such as stretchable strain sensors for soft robots and saturating inductors for power converters and analysis, parameter estimation, and stability of synchronous solutions in complex networks of nonlinear dynamical systems, with focus on power grids and neural circuits. 

Electromagnetics

DITEN electromagnetics research can be divided in three main areas. The first deals with the analysis, design and optimization of electrical and magnetic devices in steady and quasi-steady state, using analytical, semi-analytical and numerical techniques, based on circuit and fields approaches.  Practical application fields are the research and development of innovative SMES (Superconducting Devices for Magnetic Energy Storage) and magnets, as well as the study of infrastructure corrosion induced by the operation of HVDC electrodes and DC railways. The second concentrates on lightning events that are the most disruptive natural phenomena and represent severe safety threat for infrastructures and people. An accurate electromagnetic model of these phenomena is the basis for developing new Lightning Locations Systems, lightning events nowcasting algorithms and for a realistic risk assessment using statistical analysis in order to detect failures in transmission and distribution lines. The third regards modelling and measurement of a wide variety of electromagnetic field emissions to characterize power systems and equipment (in particular for naval and land transportation systems) and ensure electromagnetic compatibility.

Funding

Accepted PhD students will receive a stipend of €16.500 (before-tax) for up to 3 years. Additional funding is available to support equipment, materials, travel expenses and other costs associated with research.

Additional information

The PhD course name is Science and Technology for Electrical Engineering, Complex Systems for Mobility.

Further details can be found from page 52 to page 56 of the following document:

https://unige.it/sites/contenuti.unige.it/files/documents/ALLEGATO_A_XXXVIII%20-%20EN_1.pdf

Please note that two of the three positions involve carrying out research periods of 1 year in an industrial company, as can be seen in the notice of competition published on the website (see below).

Application Process

Interested candidates holding a specialist/II level degree or an equivalent foreign academic qualification are invited to read carefully the notice of competition available at the following link:

https://unige.it/sites/contenuti.unige.it/files/documents/BANDO%2038%20CICLO%20novembre%20-%20EN.pdf

Applications can be submitted, by clicking the 'Apply' button.