PhD in Next-Generation Solid-State Smart Pulsed Power

Are you our next PhD candidate in solid-state pulsed power? We are seeking an enthusiastic candidate to take on the challenge to take solid-state pulsed power to the next level to unlock the full potential of pulsed power applications and make an impact to the world.

Information
With high-voltage pulses we can do fantastic things: clear air and water, generate fertilizers and break rocks; all with just electricity! However, for full utilization in the real world we need to be able to tailor the pulses from pulse to pulse to the application. In this project we will take this crucial step by unravelling the complex interaction between the pulse source and the load in a case study and by the development of “Next-Generation Smart Pulsed Power Technology”: fully real-time-controllable solid-state pulsed power that can adapt its waveform from pulse to pulse to optimize the application. The PhD position is on realizing this next step in solid-state pulsed power.

The total project consists of multiple parts:

• Part of the project will focus on applying pulsed power to rock fragmentation (the test case for this project).
• Another part will be spent on developing the solid-state pulsed power system; a 50-100 kV, impedance-matched Marx generator capable of flexible pulses at high repetition rates (up to 1 kHz), including a control system that allows for real-time pulse-shape changes from pulse to pulse, based on real-time information from the application.
• In the final phase of the project, the first two parts will combine to enable the next step towards the application.

The PhD position we are advertising for will be mainly focused on the second part (the solid-state pulsed power). Another PhD candidate (already hired) is currently focusing on the first part.

We are looking for a candidate with hands-on pulsed power experience, power electronics experience and high-voltage experience (in your application, please highlight your experience in these areas, with practical examples). The challenges you will meet along the way are numerous and exciting, such as: developing the new solid-state pulse source, the control system for the pulse source, studying the interaction between the pulse source and the application, countering electromagnetic interference and many more, all the while working in a state-of-the-art high-voltage lab with the newest equipment.

The total TU/e executing project team consists of 2 PhD students (as well as an academic supervisor), but you will be working in a large pulsed power team (around 20 people from all walks of academic life). Furthermore, you will be working together with companies that will bring the research results into practice, so we are looking for a candidate with excellent teamworking skills.

Electrical Energy Systems Group
Eindhoven University of Technology (TU/e) is a world-leading research university specializing in engineering science & technology. The Department of Electrical Engineering is responsible for research and education in Electrical Engineering. The discipline covers technologies and electrical phenomena involved in computer engineering, information processing, energy transfer and telecommunication. The department strives for societal relevance through an emphasis on the fields of smart sustainable systems, the connected world and care & cure.

The Electrical Energy Systems (EES) group has a strong research line on Pulsed Power Technology, which is the topic that deals with the generation of the short high-voltage pulses for applications such as plasmas, rock fragmentation, fusion, and many others. Pulsed Power Technology is practiced at several world-recognized institutes around the world. One of these top institutes is the EES group at Eindhoven University of Technology.

In EES’ High-Voltage laboratory (a 14x14x8m Faraday cage) we work on (nanosecond) high-voltage pulse source design, plasmas, pulsed power applications and all the intermediate steps in the process. Our main focus is on the development of nanosecond pulsed high-voltage circuits that generate pulses from several kV to hundreds of kV and from less than one nanosecond duration to pulses of several hundreds of nanoseconds duration.

A meaningful job in a dynamic and ambitious university, in an interdisciplinary setting and within an international network. You will work on a beautiful, green campus within walking distance of the central train station. In addition, we offer you:

• Full-time employment for four years, with an intermediate assessment after nine months. You will spend a minimum of 10% of your four-year employment on teaching tasks, with a maximum of 15% per year of your employment.
• Salary and benefits (such as a pension scheme, paid pregnancy and maternity leave, partially paid parental leave) in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities, scale P (min. € 3,059 - max. € 3,881).
• A year-end bonus of 8.3% and annual vacation pay of 8%.
• High-quality training programs and other support to grow into a self-aware, autonomous scientific researcher. At TU/e we challenge you to take charge of your own learning process.
• An excellent technical infrastructure, on-campus children's day care and sports facilities.
• An allowance for commuting, working from home and internet costs.
• A Staff Immigration Team and a tax compensation scheme (the 30% facility) for international candidates.

Do you recognize yourself in this profile and would you like to know more? Please contact the hiring manager, dr.ir. Tom Huiskamp, t.huiskamp@tue.nl.

Visit our website for more information about the application process or the conditions of employment. You can also contact HRServices.ee@tue.nl.

Curious to hear more about what it’s like as a PhD candidate at TU/e? Please view the video.

Are you inspired and would like to know more about working at TU/e? Please visit our career page.