PhD on hardware design of RDC for Electric Vehicle Fast Chargers (E2GO DC1) (2024)

Job description

At the faculty of Electrical Engineering at Eindhoven University of Technology, a PhD-position is available within the E2GO project, a Marie Sklodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) Doctoral Network-Industrial Doctorates funded by the EU. The position is open for appointment from September 1^st or soonest hereafter and includes a 6 month stay at Delta (PL), a 12 month stay at Shell (NL) and 30 months at TU/e.

We are looking for you!
You will work on the hardware design and optimization of RDC in battery buffered fast-charging stations. You will investigate, optimize and implement a new coupling configuration for battery buffering that is based on a novel reduced dissipation converter (RDC) to enable cost-reduction of Electric Vehicle fast-charging under different scenarios.

Research Programme Description
“E2GO– Cost-reduction of EV fast-charging station to enable large-scale electrification of mobility” is hiring 9 Doctorate Candidates (DCs)” to be funded by the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) Doctoral Networks-Industrial Doctorates (DN-ID), 2021, within the European Union's EU Framework Programme for Research and Innovation Europe Horizon under Grant Agreement No.101072414.

The E2GO consortium contains Eindhoven University of Technology, Delta Electronics (Poland) Ltd., Heliox BV, University of Minho, Efacec Electric Mobility SA, Aalborg University, Silicon Austria Labs GMBH, Infineon Technologies Austria AG, Shell Global Solutions International BV, Kema Lab BV and the University of Innsbruck, which brings together the stakeholders that cover the complete value chain of high-power fast-charging stations for EV creating an in-depth training programme that covers the spectrum from hardware design and electronics, to modelling and control algorithms. The multidisciplinary and intersectoral collaboration provides the unique opportunity to achieve the ambitious goal of E2GO to develop innovations to reduce the cost of fast-charging stations for electric vehicles (EVs) for massive deployment. Hence the DCs involved in this project will not only be highly sought-after individuals due to their gained experience at the interface of industrial and academic collaboration, but additionally they will be highly attractive for the automotive industry as experts in the strongly growing field of fast-charging, a frontier research area that will help to address the infrastructural needs and sustainability goals of the 21st century. This constellation will significantly further their individual career paths in industry and academia.

In total 9 DCs will be employed by the project, 7 of those have already started their journey. Being part of a group of DCs will multiply the immediate impact of the training and experience by sharing not only the newly acquired technical expertise but also the “soft knowledge” concerning the different ways of thinking between industry and academia. By this, these DCs will gain a high level of employability and become real translational researchers capable of integrating both worlds of academia and industry.

About University and companies hosting this position

• Eindhoven University of Technology (TU/e) is a world-leading research university specializing in engineering science & technology. The Department of Electrical Engineering is responsible for research and education in Electrical Engineering. The discipline covers technologies and electrical phenomena involved in computer engineering, information processing, energy transfer, and telecommunication. The department strives for societal relevance through an emphasis on the fields of smart sustainable systems, the connected world and care & cure. The TU/e is the world’s best-performing research university in terms of research cooperation with industry.
• Delta Electronics, founded in 1971, is a global provider of power and thermal management solutions. Its mission statement, "To provide innovative, clean and energy-efficient solutions for a better tomorrow," focuses on addressing key environmental issues such as global climate change. As an energy-saving solutions provider with core competencies in power electronics and automation, Delta's business categories include Power Electronics, Automation, and Infrastructure. In response to the challenge of climate change, Delta will remain committed to the research and development of innovative, energy-saving products, solutions and services that contribute substantially to the sustainable development of mankind.
• Shell Global Solution is an international energy company. Shell is currently expanding their traditional hydrocarbon-based fuel purchase points to provide a network of electric vehicle charging stations. Shell uses advanced technologies and takes an innovative approach to help build a sustainable energy future.

Job description

• Research field: Electrical Engineering, Power Electronics.
• Research Objectives: Design and implementation of the reduced dissipation converter (RDC) to enable cost-reduction of EV fast-charging under different scenarios.
• Research Activities: You will work on the hardware design and optimization of RDC in battery buffered fast-charging stations. You will investigate, optimize and implement a new coupling configuration for battery buffering that is based on a novel reduced dissipation converter (RDC) to enable cost-reduction of Electric Vehicle fast-charging under different scenarios. Expected results are: 1) Optimal hardware design solution with high efficiency, power density and reliability, 2) electromagnetic interference (EMI) filter to meet the EMC standard for the EV and local buffering battery, 3) demonstration of RDC for reduced grid take-off and operability for a number of standardized charging scenarios.
• Employment and Secondment: The selected DC will be enrolled as Ph.D. student at TU/e (NL) (4-year Phd program, of which the last two years will be funded by TU/e). The DC will be employed for 6 months at Delta Electronics in Poland, where he/she will be supervised by dr. Krzysztof Puckzo, the other 42 months will be at the TU/e supervised by dr. Dongsheng Yang, whilst also doing a secondment at Shell for a planned duration of 12 months.

Job requirements

We are looking for a candidate who meets the following requirements:

• You are creative and ambitious, hard-working, and persistent.
• You have a MSc degree in electrical engineering or any other relevant program.
• You have theoretical and applied knowledge of the modeling, analysis, and control of power electronics.
• You have hands-on experimental experience in power converter control design and implementation. Experience with the battery storage system is a big plus.
• You have good communicative skills, and the attitude to partake successfully in the work of a research team.
• You have a good command of the English language (Spoken and Written).

Eligibility and mobility criteria (mandatory requirements EU rules)

• Supported researchers must be doctoral candidates, i.e. not already in possession of a doctoral degree at the date of the recruitment.
• Recruited researchers can be of any nationality and must comply with the following mobility rule: they must not have resided or carried out their main activity (work, studies, etc.) in the country of the recruiting beneficiary (NL or Poland) for more than 12 months in the 36 months immediately before their recruitment date. For 'International European Research Organisations' (IERO), 'international organisations', or entities created under Union law, the researchers must not have spent more than 12 months in the 36 months immediately before their recruitment in the same appointing organisation. Compulsory national service, short stays such as holidays and time spent by the researcher as part of a procedure for obtaining refugee status under the Geneva Conventionare not considered.

Conditions of employment

The successful candidates will receive from both employers an attractive salary in accordance with the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) regulations for Doctoral Candidate researchers which will include a mobility allowance. The gross salary (not including employer’s social contributions) in the first year will be € 2.770 and in the fourth year € 3.539 (at TUE).

The guaranteed PhD funding is for 24 months (i.e. EC funding, additional funding is possible, depending on the local Supervisor, and in accordance with the regular PhD time in the country of origin). In addition to their individual scientific projects, all fellows will benefit from further continuing education, which includes internships and secondments, a variety of training modules as well as transferable skills courses and attractive participation in conferences.

the candidate will have a total of 3 contracts, but will have the opportunity to complete a PhD in 4 years.

The general conditions for a PhD are;

• Salary and benefits (such as a pension scheme, paid pregnancy and maternity leave, partially paid parental leave) in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities, scale P (min. €2,770 max. €3,539).
• A year-end bonus of 8.3% and annual vacation pay of 8%.
• High-quality training programs and other support to grow into a self-aware, autonomous scientific researcher. At TU/e we challenge you to take charge of your own learning process.
• An excellent technical infrastructure, on-campus children's day care and sports facilities.
• An allowance for commuting, working from home and internet costs.
• A Staff Immigration Team and a tax compensation scheme (the 30% facility) for international candidates.

Information and application

About us

E2GO deals with a recruitment process based on the European principles of openness, fairness and transparency that guarantee a selection of candidates in respect of merit and gender balance. Targeted Starting date is 1 September 2024.

For more information about the project and any informal enquiries, please contact Dr Dongsheng Yang (d.yang1@tue.nl), prof. Michael Golombok (Michael.Golombok@shell.com, or dr. Krzysztof Puckzo (Krzysztof.Puczko@deltaww.com).

Application

We invite you to submit a complete application by using the apply button.
The application should include the following documents:

• Eligibility Statement: for verifying MSCA requirements, the candidates clearly indicate exact dates of (1) degree entitling to pursue a PhD (typically a Master of Science degree or Engineering degree), (2) positions and country of residence in the last 5 years.
• Complete CV (Europass format obligatory: https://europass.cedefop.europa.eu/documents/curriculum-vitae). The candidates are allowed to pursue a maximum of three positions in the E2GO programme. If more than one position is pursued, please clearly indicate all the positions that applied with priorities on the first page of the CV.
• Motivation letter (maximum 1 page per position applied) should state why the applicant wishes to pursue the specific research and why she thinks s/he is an ideal candidate for the position.
• Scan of certificates showing BSc, MSc and other courses followed, with grades and if it is possible a ranking.
• Up to 3 recommendation letters and/or contact e-mail addresses with a brief professional description (title, position, relationship with applicant) of the referring person.
• If possible up to two selected publications (e.g. MSc thesis, conference paper) in English.

We look forward to receiving your application and will screen it as soon as possible. The vacancy will remain open until the position is filled.