Organisation/Company KU LEUVEN Research Field Engineering » Electrical engineering Researcher Profile First Stage Researcher (R1) Country Belgium Application Deadline 25 Aug 2025 - 23:59 (UTC) Type of Contract To be defined Job Status Full-time Offer Starting Date 15 Sep 2025 Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme? Other EU programme Reference Number BAP-2025-464 Marie Curie Grant Agreement Number 101069750 Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure? No
Offer Description
This PhD research is part of the CETP-project “DigiRES”, the general objective of which is to digitally integrate multi-energy flexibility assets in regional energy systems, together with colleagues in the Netherlands and Sweden.
The PhD focus will be on privacy-preserving techniques for flexibility management applications in energy communities. These techniques include federated learning, computations over encrypted data, secret sharing, etc. Based on real-world data sources, you will focus on forecasting, multi-vector flexibility characterisation and flexibility use in energy communities and regional energy systems. Bridging domains of energy system management, data-driven machine learning, and privacy preservation, you will design and evaluate appropriate solutions, that can eventually be deployed on our smart grid lab infrastructure.
You are a highly motivated and enthusiastic researcher with a strong interest in data-driven control and optimisation of smart energy applications. Knowledge and experience with privacy-preserving techniques (COED, federated learning, etc.) are a clear advantage.
You have:
* A master’s degree in Engineering Science e.g energy, electrical, data science, ...
* Critical and creative thinking skills.
* Independence and initiative.
* Autonomy, reliability in teamwork and good communication skills.
* Excellent proficiency in English (speaking, listening and writing).
Given the funding constraints and the timeline, we prefer candidates from within the European Economic Area, and with a Master's degree from a university within the EEA .
Please indicate clearly in the motivation letter your relevant previous experience and knowledge, and your grades. At least a distinction (cum laude) level is required to start a PhD at the Arenberg Doctoral School.
* A four-year doctoral scholarship at KU Leuven's doctoral school, and a PhD in Engineering Science, if successful
* The opportunity to participate in exciting scientific projects carried out within ELECTA, in close collaboration with the academic and industrial project partners .
* Access to state-of-the-art technologies, core facilities and technical support
* The opportunity to be part of in an exciting and international research environment, engage in research collaborations and participate in international conferences
* A flexible working culture with opportunity to up to 40% remote working.
* Benefits such as health insurance, access to university sports facilities, etc.
* A four-year doctoral scholarship at KU Leuven's doctoral school, and a PhD in Engineering Science, if successful
* The opportunity to participate in exciting scientific projects carried out within ELECTA, in close collaboration with the academic and industrial project partners .
* Access to state-of-the-art technologies, core facilities and technical support
* The opportunity to be part of in an exciting and international research environment, engage in research collaborations and participate in international conferences
* A flexible working culture with opportunity to up to 40% remote working.
* Benefits such as health insurance, access to university sports facilities, etc.
Eligibility criteria
You are a highly motivated and enthusiastic researcher with a strong interest in data-driven control and optimisation of smart energy applications. Knowledge and experience with privacy-preserving techniques (COED, federated learning, etc.) are a clear advantage.
You have:
* A master’s degree in Engineering Science e.g energy, electrical, data science, ...
* Critical and creative thinking skills.
* Independence and initiative.
* Autonomy, reliability in teamwork and good communication skills.
* Excellent proficiency in English (speaking, listening and writing).
Given the funding constraints and the timeline, we prefer candidates from within the European Economic Area, and with a Master's degree from a university within the EEA .
Please indicate clearly in the motivation letter your relevant previous experience and knowledge, and your grades. At least a distinction (cum laude) level is required to start a PhD at the Arenberg Doctoral School.
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