Renewable Energy Researcher Position
We are seeking a highly motivated and qualified engineer with early-career industry research experience in Electrical Engineering, Electronics, Control Engineering, or Mechatronics. This role focuses on the electrical and control subsystems of wind turbines, including generators, inverters, load controllers, and Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS).
The selected candidate will work in collaboration with an Advanced Wind Energy Technology Group on the development of high-fidelity digital twin models of these components to support energy harvesting optimization and advanced control design. This is a fully funded PhD opportunity based in Adelaide, designed to bridge academic research and real-world industry applications.
Key Responsibilities:
* Conduct advanced research on:
* Wind turbine generators (e.g., PMG, DFIG)
* Inverter-load controllers and power electronic systems
* Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) integration and management
* Model and simulate electrical and control systems using tools such as Python, MATLAB/Simulink, PSCAD.
* Develop digital twin models for real-time system understanding and optimization of energy capture
* Design and implement control algorithms to improve system efficiency and responsiveness to dynamic conditions
* Collaborate with academic and industry partners throughout the project lifecycle
* Support lab-scale and field-testing activities as needed
* Publish research findings and contribute to technical documentation and reporting
Essential Qualifications & Skills:
* A Master's degree (or equivalent) inElectrical Engineering, Electronics, Control Engineering, Mechatronics, or a closely related field
* Strong knowledge of:
* Electrical machines and power electronics
* Control systems and signal processing
* Energy systems modelling and simulation
* Interest in digital twin development and energy optimization
* Excellent problem-solving, and teamwork skills
* Ability to conduct independent research and contribute to collaborative projects
* Strong written and verbal communication skills
* Experience with wind turbine systems or renewable energy applications
* Familiarity with industrial communication protocols (e.g., Modbus)
* Knowledge of hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) testing or embedded control platforms
This Opportunity Offers:
* A career with an innovative start-up company
* A fully funded Australian Government supported PhD scholarship (open to domestic and international candidates)
* Joint academic and industry supervision from Flinders University's College of Science and Engineering
* Access to unique laboratory and field-deployed wind turbine facilities
* Support for publication, and professional development