Jef Beerten

KU Leuven's Electa division, part of the Department of Electrical Engineering (ESAT) and embedded in EnergyVille (Genk, Belgium), is seeking a postdoctoral researcher to join their team. The division is renowned for its advanced research in modelling and control of power electronic converters and power systems, with a particular emphasis on DC systems. The group is currently developing BriskSim, a next-generation EMT simulation tool designed to address the challenges of electrical transients in HVDC and converter-dominated grids, supporting the ongoing energy transition. The successful candidate will play a key role in identifying and understanding future user needs in EMT simulation through collaborations, designing and planning architecture-level solutions, and implementing R&D plans using modern software development principles. Responsibilities also include optimizing computation time and accuracy, managing version control (Git) and automated testing, developing demonstration use-cases with industry partners, and disseminating results through publications and conference presentations. Applicants should hold a PhD in Computer Science or Electrical Engineering and demonstrate strong motivation to work in an international team. Two profiles are considered: (1) Computer Science, requiring expertise in scientific computing software design (Julia, C/C++, Rust, Fortran), experience with numerical algorithms, multi-threading, multi-processing, and proficiency in Git and automated testing; and (2) Power Systems EMT Specialist, requiring deep knowledge of EMT simulation, power system dynamics, HVDC systems, converter control interactions, and detailed EMT component modelling, as well as the ability to collaborate with TSOs and industry partners. The position is fully funded and includes benefits such as health insurance, access to university infrastructure, and sports facilities. KU Leuven offers a vibrant, inclusive, and diverse research environment, committed to equal opportunity and open dialogue. The application deadline is January 30, 2026. For further information, candidates may contact Prof. dr. Jef Beerten or Mr. Jeroen Tant via email.

KU Leuven and EnergyVille are offering a fully funded PhD position on scalable wide-area electromagnetic-transient (EMT) simulation and automated stability assessment for future transmission systems. The project is hosted within the ELECTA research group of the Department of Electrical Engineering (ESAT) at KU Leuven, with work connected to EnergyVille and the research team led by Prof. Jef Beerten. The group works on power systems, smart grids, HVDC, LVDC, renewable integration, and stability of converter-dominated networks. The position sits at the intersection of electrical engineering, numerical methods, and scientific computing. The research topic addresses a key challenge for future power systems: as inverter-based resources such as offshore wind, battery storage, HVDC systems, and other converter-connected technologies become more common, EMT phenomena become increasingly important for system stability and operation. However, EMT simulation workflows are often too computationally demanding for large-scale national or regional transmission systems. This PhD aims to help make EMT-based stability assessment as systematic and routine as traditional RMS-based studies. The successful candidate will develop scalable EMT simulation methodologies for large transmission systems, investigate model reduction, dynamic equivalencing, and network partitioning, and build parallel and high-performance computing approaches for EMT analysis. The project also includes automated workflows for large-scale stability assessment and contingency screening, as well as the identification and analysis of converter-driven stability phenomena involving HVDC systems, renewable generation, and battery storage. The methods will be validated on realistic utility-scale transmission-system models. The ideal applicant holds a Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Applied Mathematics, Scientific Computing, Computer Engineering, or a related discipline, and has excellent academic results. A solid background in power systems and an interest in dynamics and stability are important, together with strong skills in numerical simulation, algorithm development, and scientific programming. Good English communication skills are required. Useful assets include knowledge of power electronics, HVDC systems, and inverter-based resources; experience with PSCAD, EMTP, RTDS, OPAL-RT, PowerFactory, or MATLAB/Simulink; programming experience in Python, Julia, MATLAB, or C/C++; and an interest in high-performance computing and parallel algorithms. The offer is a fully funded 4-year PhD position at KU Leuven and EnergyVille, with access to state-of-the-art simulation infrastructure and realistic utility-scale models. The student will work with leading researchers and interact with transmission system operators and industrial partners, with opportunities for international conference participation and publications in high-impact venues. The working location is Genk, Belgium (EnergyVille), with the employer listed as KU Leuven. Applications should be submitted via the KU Leuven application portal. Candidates must provide a CV, academic transcripts, a motivation letter, and a brief technical statement (maximum half an A4 page) explaining their motivation and the main computational challenges associated with wide-area EMT simulation and automated stability assessment. The application deadline is 2026-09-16.

KU Leuven is advertising a fully funded postdoctoral position in EMT Simulation & Scientific Software within the ELECTA research group of the Department of Electrical Engineering (ESAT), embedded in the Energy Transmission Competence Hub (ETCH) and linked to EnergyVille in Genk, Belgium. The project centers on BriskSim , a next-generation simulation platform for electromagnetic transient (EMT) and power system dynamic studies. The research is aimed at future power systems with converter-dominated grids, HVDC networks, protection engineering, wide-area dynamics, and digital-twin applications. The successful candidate will contribute both to advanced simulation research and to the development of robust scientific software architectures that support large-scale, high-performance power system simulation. The role includes high-quality research in power system simulation, implementation of scientific software using modern development practices, improving simulation performance, scalability and usability, and collaboration with industrial partners and transmission system operators. The position also involves publishing in leading journals and conferences and supporting the supervision of MSc and PhD students. Applicants should hold a PhD in Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, Scientific Computing, Computational Engineering, Applied Mathematics, or a related field. Strong experience in scientific software development is especially valued, with programming languages such as C++, Julia, Rust, and Python mentioned as relevant examples. Additional strengths in numerical methods, scientific computing, high-performance computing, parallel computing, and software engineering practices such as version control and automated testing are desirable. Background in EMT simulation, power system dynamics, or power electronics is beneficial but not mandatory. KU Leuven describes the position as fully funded and offers an international research environment with opportunities for collaboration across academia, industry, and system operators, as well as involvement in innovation and technology valorisation activities. Application deadline: 2026-09-16 23:59 (Europe/Brussels). How to apply: Submit a CV, academic transcripts, and motivation letter via the KU Leuven application portal, together with a brief technical statement outlining your motivation and expertise in EMT simulation and/or software development. Contact details for further information are provided for Prof. dr. Jef Beerten and Mr. Jeroen Tant.