Job description

The Delft University of Technology is seeking a postdoctoral researcher in the field of "Edge Decision Making for Local Congestion Management." The selected candidate will work on the OpenMS Project.

The selected candidate will develop a local platform that enables users connected to MV transformers to exchange information with other users and the distribution system operator (DSO) to resolve local congestion issues. The design of such an edge decision-making platform requires an understanding of distribution systems operation as well as machine learning and optimization approaches. The selected candidate is expected to possess strong programming skills and engage with industry partners within the OpenMS project.

This is a two-year position. You will join the team supervised by Associate Prof. Pedro P. Vergara. You will be a member of the section Intelligent Electrical Power Grids in the Faculty of Electrical Engineering, Mathematics, and Computer Science. The project will offer opportunities to collaborate with industrial partners but also with academics from other disciplines, as required (mathematics, operations research). Within the team, we strive to develop methods that are mathematically rigorous and have near-term application potential. We are strong supporters of open science (publishing, source code, data). You will also be expected to assist in teaching activities (student supervision, labs) related to your subject area.

About the OpenMS Project:

OpenMS stands for "Opening up the medium-voltage space for local congestion management". This is a small RVO-funded project comprising academic and industry collaborators. The OpenMS partners envision developing a platform to enable users to resolve congestion problems locally, avoiding centralizing approaches that require transferring data to a central point.

About the department

The research in the Department of Electrical Sustainable Energy is inspired by the technical, scientific, and societal challenges originating from the transition towards a more sustainable society and focuses on three areas:

• DC Systems, Energy Conversion and Storage (DCE&S)
• Photovoltaic Materials and Devices (PVMD)
• Intelligent Electrical Power Grids (IEPG)
• High Voltage Technologies (HVT)

The department owns a large ESP Laboratory assembling High Voltage testing, DC Grids testing environment, and large RTDS that is actively used for real-time simulation of future electrical power systems, AC and DC protection and wide-area monitoring and protection. The Intelligent Electrical Power Grid (IEPG) group, headed by Professor Peter Palensky, works on the future of our power system.

Job requirements

Essentials:

• Demonstrable interest in interdisciplinary and intersectoral research, and specifically the interface between power systems, information and communication technologies, and preferably cyber security.
• Completed a PhD degree in a highly quantitative and analytical related discipline (electrical engineering with an emphasis on power systems, automatic control, applied mathematics, and/or computer science).
• Excellent academic and publication track record.
• Excellent analytical and writing skills.
• Strong knowledge of power system dynamics, computer networking, and/or cyber security.
• Very good command of English. The minimum requirement of a TOEFL score of 100 or IELTS of 7.0 with scores of at least 6.5 for each section (writing, reading, listening, speaking) applies to all candidates wanting to pursue a Postdoc at TU Delft.
• You enjoy performing research. You are independent, self-motivated, and eager to learn.
• You are keen to work with industry partners to link real-world challenges to fundamental research questions.
• Very good, demonstrable experience with (1) computer modelling and real-time simulation such as RTDS and/or OPAL-RT or (2) protocols used in digital substations for protection, automation and control such as IEC61850 and IEC 104 or (3) intrusion detection systems.
• You enjoy programming and hold your code to a high standard.

TU Delft (Delft University of Technology)

Delft University of Technology is built on strong foundations. As creators of the world-famous Dutch waterworks and pioneers in biotech, TU Delft is a top international university combining science, engineering and design. It delivers world class results in education, research and innovation to address challenges in the areas of energy, climate, mobility, health and digital society. For generations, our engineers have proven to be entrepreneurial problem-solvers, both in business and in a social context.

At TU Delft we embrace diversity as one of our core values and we actively engage to be a university where you feel at home and can flourish. We value different perspectives and qualities. We believe this makes our work more innovative, the TU Delft community more vibrant and the world more just. Together, we imagine, invent and create solutions using technology to have a positive impact on a global scale. That is why we invite you to apply. Your application will receive fair consideration.

Challenge. Change. Impact!

Faculty Electrical Engineering, Mathematics and Computer Science

The Faculty of Electrical Engineering, Mathematics and Computer Science (EEMCS) brings together three scientific disciplines. Combined, they reinforce each other and are the driving force behind the technology we all use in our daily lives. Technology such as the electricity grid, which our faculty is helping to make completely sustainable and future-proof. At the same time, we are developing the chips and sensors of the future, whilst also setting the foundations for the software technologies to run on this new generation of equipment – which of course includes AI. Meanwhile we are pushing the limits of applied mathematics, for example mapping out disease processes using single cell data, and using mathematics to simulate gigantic ash plumes after a volcanic eruption. In other words: there is plenty of room at the faculty for ground-breaking research. We educate innovative engineers and have excellent labs and facilities that underline our strong international position. In total, more than 1000 employees and 4,000 students work and study in this innovative environment.

Click here to go to the website of the Faculty of Electrical Engineering, Mathematics and Computer Science.

Conditions of employment

• Duration of contract is 2 years Temporary
• A job of 38-40 hours per week.
• Salary and benefits are in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities.
• An excellent pension scheme via the ABP.
• The possibility to compile an individual employment package every year.
• Discount with health insurers on supplemental packages.
• Flexible working week.
• Every year, 232 leave hours (at 38 hours). You can also sell or buy additional leave hours via the individual choice budget.
• Plenty of opportunities for education, training and courses.
• Partially paid parental leave
• Attention for working healthy and energetically with the vitality program.

Will you need to relocate to the Netherlands for this job? TU Delft is committed to make your move as smooth as possible! The HR unit, Coming to Delft Service, offers information on their website to help you prepare your relocation. In addition, Coming to Delft Service organises events to help you settle in the Netherlands, and expand your (social) network in Delft. A Dual Career Programme is available, to support your accompanying partner with their job search in the Netherlands. .

Additional information

For more information about this vacancy, please contact Dr. P. Vergara Barrios, e-mail: p.p.vergarabarrios@tudelft.nl.

For information about the selection procedure, please contact Carla Jager, Secretary, email: c.p.jager@tudelft.nl.

Application procedure

Are you interested in this vacancy? Please apply no later than 30 November 2025 via the application button and upload the following documents:

(1) Application letter addressed to Dr. P.Vergara Barrios that explains your personal motivation in pursuing a Postdoc and fit to the job requirements, (2) your curriculum vitae (CV) with a list of your publications. Incomplete applications will not be considered.

If you are interested, do not wait to apply, we are happy to schedule an interview while the response period is running.

Please note:

• You can apply online. We will not process applications sent by email and/or post.
• As part of knowledge security, TU Delft conducts a risk assessment during the recruitment of personnel. We do this, among other things, to prevent the unwanted transfer of sensitive knowledge and technology. The assessment is based on information provided by the candidates themselves, such as their motivation letter and CV, and takes place at the final stages of the selection process. When the outcome of the assessment is negative, the candidate will be informed. The processing of personal data in the context of the risk assessment is carried out on the legal basis of the GDPR: performing a public task in the public interest. You can find more information about this assessment on our website about knowledge security.
• Please do not contact us for unsolicited services.