Anna Volkova

TalTech (Tallinn University of Technology) is advertising a PhD position in hybrid modelling of thermal grids , with a focus on physics-informed data-driven approaches for heating and cooling energy systems. The project sits at the intersection of computer science , mathematics , mechanical engineering , electrical engineering , physics , and environmental science , and is aimed at developing control-oriented models for district heating infrastructures. The research will combine physics-based modelling with data-driven methods to improve prediction, calibration, optimisation, and computational efficiency. The work also connects to digital twins , advanced control strategies, and the digitalisation and decarbonisation of thermal energy systems. The post is supervised by Associate Professor Kristina Vassiljeva and co-supervised by Professor Anna Volkova , who leads the Smart District Heating Research Group at TalTech. Ideal applicants should have a strong background in applied mathematics , control theory , or machine learning . Experience with time-series data , dynamical systems , and numerical optimisation is preferred, together with programming skills in Python or MATLAB . The announcement does not mention a scholarship programme or fee waiver. Applications are open from 2026-06-01 to 2026-06-30 . Interested candidates should apply via the TalTech Teamdash portal and follow the PhD admission process on the university website. For questions, contact [email protected] .