School of Electrical and Electronic Engineering
Organisation/Company University College Dublin Department School of Electrical and Electronic Engineering Research Field Engineering » Electrical engineering Engineering » Electronic engineering Researcher Profile First Stage Researcher (R1) Positions PhD Positions Country Ireland Application Deadline 12 Dec 2025 - 23:55 (Europe/Dublin) Type of Contract Temporary Job Status Full-time Hours Per Week 39 Offer Starting Date 1 Jan 2025 Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme? Not funded by a EU programme Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure? No
Offer Description
Applications are invited for a fully-funded 4 year PhD position within the School of Electrical & Electronic Engineering at University College Dublin(UCD) on Cyber-Physical Electric Power System Security Management.
Project Description
The modern electric power system functions within an expanding spectrum of uncertainties relating tothe integration of renewable energy sources, the evolution of electricity markets, the adverse impacts of climate changeand the increasing emergence of cyber-physical threats. These uncertainties create the need for advanced decision-support tools, able to suggest suitable control actions that could be used to mitigate the upcoming risks to the system security in a timely manner. Relying on analytical optimization techniques to develop such tools has been the subject of extensive research, revealing not only potential benefits but also considerable complexity and scalability challenges. Over the recent years, the alternative of relying on machine learning techniques is gainingtraction. This alternative inevitably comes with its own set of challenges, for instance relating to generalization over alternative grid topologies and interpretability. Combining analytical optimization and machine learning holds a greater potential in counterbalancing the limitations of each alternative.
This PhD project will investigate the synergies between stochastic optimization and machine learning towards the development of advanced decision-support tools for managing the security of the cyber-physical electric power system.
Where to apply
E-mail efthymios.karangelos@ucd.ie
Requirements
Research Field Engineering » Electrical engineering Education Level Bachelor Degree or equivalent
Skills/Qualifications
* A strong academic foundation, with a minimum 2.1 honours degree in Electrical Engineering, or related disciplines.
Highly Desirable Qualities
* A Master's degree with research experience.
* Expertise or familiarity with AI/ML frameworks and/or stochastic optimization.
* Experience with high-performance computing infrastructures.
* Contributions to open-source projects, demonstrating proficiency in version control and collaborative coding.
* Excellent problem-solving skills, self-motivation, and the ability to work well both independently and as part of a team.
* Demonstrated academic writing skills and the ability to effectively communicate research findings through papers, presentations, and other scholarly communications.
* Proven willingness to learn and a strong commitment to personal and professional growth, with a track record of acquiring new skills.
Specific Requirements
* English Language Proficiency. Non-native English speakers require at least:
* A minimum score of 90in the Internet-based TOEFL (iBT), with no less than 21 in writing and at least 19 in every other section, or,
o An average IELTS score of 6.5 over all components and a minimum of 6.0 in each band on the Academic Version.
Languages ENGLISH Level Excellent
Research Field Engineering » Electrical engineering
Additional Information
This full-time PhD position is fully funded by theSchool of Electrical & Electronic Engineering, University College Dublin, for a period up to 4 years. The funding includes a tax-free stipend of € 22000 per annum in addition to student fees covered.
Eligibility criteria
The successful candidate should showcase a comprehensive understanding of the fundamentals of electric power system planning and operation, possess good programming skills in at least one language (with a preference for Julia or Python), and a solid mathematical background, particularly in optimization.
Selection process
Please submit the following documents toDr. Efthymios Karangelos ( efthymios.karangelos@ucd.ie ) via email in PDF format, using the subject line ``Application for PhD position on Cyber-Physical Electric Power System Security Management '':
* A Cover Letter (at most 3 pages) introducing the applicant's scientific interests, motivation for pursuing this opportunity and perspective on the proposed research agenda.
* At least two recommendation letters or contact details of two referees.
* Scanned copies of all academic transcripts and English language certificates.
Complete applications will be considered on a rolling basis until the position is filled.
Engineering and Materials Science Centre, Belfield
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