Vladimir Terzija

[100% fees covered and a minimum tax-free annual living allowance of £20,835 (2025/26 UKRI rate).] This fully funded PhD opportunity at Newcastle University focuses on developing advanced protection strategies for low voltage (LV) networks with a high penetration of power electronic devices (PEDs). The project is a collaboration between Newcastle University and Scottish Power, supported by the Industrial Doctoral Landscape Award (IDLA) and the UKRI/EPSRC, and runs alongside the £8m D-Suite Beta Strategic Innovation Fund project. As part of the program, students will have the chance to undertake a placement within Scottish Power, gaining valuable industry experience. The research addresses the increasing complexity of LV network protection due to the integration of PEDs such as Soft Open Points, Static Compensators (STATCOMs), and Smart Transformers. These devices are essential for supporting the uptake of low-carbon technologies, including electric vehicles and heat pumps, but introduce challenges like voltage/current waveform distortion and reduced fault levels. The project aims to overcome these issues by developing innovative protection schemes using comprehensive electromagnetic transient (EMT)-type computer simulations. Students will integrate classical protection methods with cutting-edge data-driven approaches, including artificial intelligence and machine learning, to enhance the reliability, security, selectivity, speed, and robustness of LV network protection. The research is expected to contribute significantly to the safety and efficiency of future energy networks. The position is open to UK and international applicants. Candidates should hold, or expect to obtain, at least a 2:1 Honours degree (or international equivalent) in Electrical Engineering or a closely related discipline. Non-native English speakers must demonstrate proficiency with an IELTS score of 6.5 overall (minimum 5.5 in all sub-skills). International applicants may require an ATAS clearance certificate for visa purposes. Funding includes full coverage of tuition fees and a minimum annual tax-free living allowance of £20,835 (2025/26 UKRI rate). The PhD will commence in October 2026 and run for four years. The application deadline is 28th February 2026. To apply, candidates should use the University’s Apply to Newcastle Portal, select the relevant programme (code 8060F), and provide a personal statement and the studentship code ENG161. For further information, contact Professor Vladimir Terzija or Dr Matthew Deakin at Newcastle University.

[100% fees covered and a minimum tax-free annual living allowance of £20,780 (2025/26 UKRI rate). Additional project costs provided.] PhD Studentship – Strategic Planning for the Integration of AI Data Centres into Energy Networks Institution: Newcastle University Funding: 100% fees covered and a minimum tax-free annual living allowance of £20,780 (2025/26 UKRI rate), with additional project costs provided. Sponsored by EPSRC. Project Overview: Data centres are rapidly becoming some of the most energy-intensive infrastructures in modern economies, with their demand expected to rise significantly due to the expansion of digitalisation, artificial intelligence (AI), and cloud computing. This growth presents both challenges and opportunities for achieving net-zero carbon targets. While AI data centres are often seen as passive electricity consumers, they have the potential to become active participants in integrated energy systems by providing flexibility, utilising waste heat, and supporting local renewable energy production. However, there is currently no comprehensive framework for planning their integration into future energy networks. This PhD project aims to develop a strategic planning framework to support the efficient, low-carbon, and resilient integration of AI data centres into evolving energy systems. The research will focus on understanding and optimising the interactions between data centres and multi-vector energy networks, contributing to the development of sustainable and flexible energy infrastructures. Supervisors: Dr Shahab Dehghan and Prof Vladimir Terzija Eligibility: Applicants should have at least a 2:1 Honours degree (or international equivalent) in a relevant discipline such as Power and Energy, Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, or Operations Research. Prior experience, enthusiasm for research, and the ability to work independently are highly valued. A master’s degree is not required if you hold a 2:1 or can demonstrate equivalent experience. Essential skills include excellent analytical abilities and strong communication skills. Desirable skills include proficiency in optimising and modelling power and energy systems, and programming in Python and Julia. Non-native English speakers require an IELTS score of 6.5 overall (minimum 5.5 in all sub-skills). International applicants may need an ATAS certificate. Start Date: 1st October 2026 Duration: 4 years Number of Awards: 1 How to Apply: Apply through the Newcastle University Apply Portal. Complete and upload the required personal statement template. Select 'Electrical and Electronic Engineering (full time)' as your programme and enter studentship code DLA2618. No research proposal upload is needed; type the project title instead. For further details, visit the funding page . For queries, contact Dr Shahab Dehghan at [email protected] or [email protected].