Research expert: undergrounding of future power systems

The Department of Electrical Engineering (ESAT), within the Group of Science and Technology at KU Leuven, seeks a Research Expert in modeling and analysis of overhead and underground AC/DC transmission lines and cables in converter-rich power systems. The Research Expert will join the ELECTA research group and work within the Energy Transmission Competence Hub (Etch), part of EnergyVille. The research expert will focus the influence of undergrounding the future power system on system transients. This will include research on high-fidelity frequency-dependent cable and system models, uncertainty-aware parametric studies, and risk-based methods for hosting capacity, resonances, harmonics, and transients. The role bridges detailed line parameters modeling (including multilayer ground conduction effects and complex composite materials) with protection, resilience and control studies, producing actionable planning rules and general-purpose EMT models. You will work closely with TSOs and technology providers, translating advanced modeling into operational guidance and resilient net-work concepts for future grids where inverter-based resources dominate and undergrounding becomes commonplace.

Responsibilities

• Develop and validate frequency-dependent cable and system models (internal/earth impedances, insulation admittance, multilayer soils, propagation characteristics, skin/proximity effects) suitable for both EMT simulation and planning-grade screening.
• Build uncertainty-aware parametric workflows that scale to thousands of cable designs and network scenarios; deliver quantitative hosting capacity indicators for resonance, harmonics, and transients.
• Design data-rich and minimal-data workflows: from full geometry-resolved models to reduced/identifiable representations for early-stage planning.
• Interface models with protection and control studies (WP2/WP3): generate Z/Y-based exports and EMT models (e.g., PSCAD/ATP/EMTP) and support benchmark creation.
• Co-lead industry-facing tasks: requirements elicitation with TSOs/vendors, translation of results into practical planning guidance and engineering practices.
• Develop your own research line on undergrounding of future power systems within the group and maintain its research roadmap.
• Collaborate with other ZAP, research experts, postdoctoral researchers and PhD students within Etch. Co-supervise PhD and master's students in your field of expertise.
• Contribute to funding proposals for new research projects and industrial projects based on the developed expertise.
• Maintain and develop international collaborations with academic and industrial partners. Represent KU Leuven and Belgium in international working groups harmonisation bodies (CIGRE, IEC, IEEE)., * You will work as a Research Expert in an internationally recognized team at the most innovative university in Europe., KU Leuven strives for an inclusive, respectful and socially safe environment. We embrace diversity among individuals and groups as an asset. Open dialogue and differences in perspective are essential for an ambitious research and educational environment. In our commitment to equal opportunity, we recognize the consequences of historical inequalities. We do not accept any form of discrimination based on, but not limited to, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, age, ethnic or national background, skin colour, religious and philosophical diversity, neurodivergence, employment disability, health, or socioeconomic status. For questions about accessibility or support offered, we are happy to assist you at this email address.

Do you have experience in Research?, Do you have a High school diploma or GED?, * PhD degree in electrical engineering, a solid background in time-domain, frequency-domain, grounding and propagation characteristics of power lines and cables.

• Expert in numerical simulations and analysis of power cables for future HVDC networks, including experience with industrial case studies.
• Strong modeling skills across time and frequency domains; comfort with a wide range of numerical and analytical methods for electromagnetic characterization of lines and cables (characteristic matrices, FEM, MoM-SO, frequency-dependent earth properties, eigen-/modal analysis, wideband line models, etc).
• Strong software skills, preferably in Julia language, PSCAD, and modern scientific software practices (version control, testing, reproducibility, CI/CD, technical documentation).
• Demonstrated industry exposure (e.g., grounding, cathodic protection, line-pipeline coupling, or TSO studies) and translation of research into planning rules/functional requirements and/or technical investigations.
• Excellent written and spoken English (Dutch is a plus); collaborative mindset; readiness to (co-)supervise.

• Experienced research position with a fulltime contract of indefinite duration (with the possibility to grow within the function).
• Involvement in the Etch research hub of EnergyVille, a new facility with state-of-the-art laboratories and over 300 researchers working in the field of energy.
• Possibility to shape the position based on the profile.

Etch Electa EnergyVille