PhD Scholarship in Trustworthy Smart Grids: Balancing Privacy, Flexibility, and Sustainability - DTU Wind

Are you driven by the idea of creating a more sustainable future through groundbreaking research? Do you want to work in a collaborative environment where your contributions can shape the green energy transition? If so, this fully funded 3-year PhD position at DTU Wind and Energy Systems could be a perfect fit for you.

We at DTU Wind and Energy Systems offer a vibrant and welcoming environment with an international atmosphere that fosters creativity, empathy, teamwork, and outstanding academic collaborations. You will also benefit from strong connections to leading companies in the Danish energy sector.

As a PhD candidate, you will join the Energy Markets and Analytics (EMA) Section within the Division for Power and Energy Systems (PES). The EMA Section is renowned for its multidisciplinary research in energy markets, optimization, game theory, and machine learning. Our team of 13 members (link), from 10 different nationalities, values diversity and includes experts from a range of scientific backgrounds, including electrical engineering, industrial engineering, operations research, data science, and applied mathematics. Many of our former students are now successful scientists in both academia and industry.

You will be involved in the “DTU Alliance” project in collaboration with Prof. Anna Scaglione at Cornell University, with the opportunity to undertake a research stay of 5–9 months.

Motivation, tasks, and qualifications
Electric power systems are undergoing a fundamental shift toward sustainability, intelligence, and resilience. In Denmark, the goal of cutting emissions by 70 % by 2030 is driving rapid growth in distributed energy resources (DERs), the electrification of transport, heating, and water systems — and the rise of hyperscale data centers. Coordinating these heterogeneous active loads — EV fleets, residential batteries, smart heat pumps, and data-center clusters — across distribution and transmission networks is critical to unlocking deep decarbonization and maintaining grid stability.

However, the fine-grained monitoring needed for such coordination risks exposing privacy. Although operators collect this information to ensure reliability, current practices seldom embed strong privacy guarantees. This PhD project will develop scalable, privacy-preserving coordination models that jointly optimize DER integration, electrified loads, and data-center flexibility — ensuring fairness in cost and benefit sharing, minimizing procurement costs and imbalances, and safeguarding both consumer and corporate data.

The ideal candidate will have experience or an interest in the following areas:

• Knowledge of computer science and operations research
• Familiarity with renewable energy systems and their challenges
• Proficiency in programming languages such as Python or Julia
• Strong problem-solving skills and the ability to collaborate in interdisciplinary teams
• Excellent command of the English language and communication skills, with the ability to present results in scientific papers

We welcome candidates with varied experiences and educational pathways. DTU Wind works with an inclusive mindset in recruitment. If you find the position interesting but do not think you meet all our requirements, apply anyway—you could be the ideal candidate for us.

You must have a two-year master’s degree (120 ECTS points) or a similar degree with an academic level equivalent to a two-year master’s degree.

Approval and Enrolment
The scholarship for the PhD degree is subject to academic approval, and the candidate will be enrolled in one of the general degree programmes at DTU. For information about our enrolment requirements and the general planning of the PhD study programme, please see DTU's rules for the PhD education.

Assessment
The assessment of the applicants will be made by Researcher Farzaneh Pourahmadi, Assistant Professor Lesia Mitridati, and Professor Jalal Kazempour.

We offer
DTU is a leading technical university globally recognized for the excellence of its research, education, innovation, and scientific advice. We offer a rewarding and challenging job in an international environment. We strive for academic excellence in an environment characterized by collegial respect and academic freedom, tempered by responsibility.

Salary and appointment terms
The appointment will be based on the collective agreement with the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations. The allowance will be agreed upon with the relevant union. The period of employment is 3 years.

The PhD project should start in 2025. The exact start date is according to a mutual agreement, taking into account your availability and preference. This position is a full-time position. 

You can read more about career paths at DTU here.

Further information
Further information may be obtained from Researcher Farzaneh Pourahmadi (farpour@dtu.dk), Assistant Professor Lesia Mitridati (lemitri@dtu.dk), and Professor Jalal Kazempour (jalal@dtu.dk).
You can read more about DTU Wind and Energy Systems Department at: https://wind.dtu.dk.

If you are applying from abroad, you may find useful information on working in Denmark and at DTU at DTU – Moving to Denmark. Furthermore, you have the option of joining our monthly free seminar “PhD relocation to Denmark and startup “Zoom” Seminar” for all questions regarding the practical matters of moving to Denmark and working as a PhD student at DTU.

Application procedure
Your complete online application must be submitted no later than 13 July 2025 (23:59 Danish time).

Applications must be submitted as one PDF file containing all materials to be given consideration. To apply, please open the link "Apply online," fill out the online application form, and attach all your materials in English in one PDF file. The file must include:

• A letter motivating the application (cover letter). Please explain why you are well-suited for this PhD position, highlighting your scientific background, programming skills, motivation, and commitment (details matter). Specific examples will help clarify how your qualifications align with the role.
• Curriculum vitae
• Grade transcripts and BSc/MSc diploma (in English), including an official description of the grading scale
• A list of at least two references

You may apply prior to obtaining your master’s degree but cannot begin the position before having received it.

Applications received after the deadline will not be considered.

All interested candidates irrespective of age, gender, disability, race, religion or ethnic background are encouraged to apply. As DTU works with research in critical technology, which is subject to special rules for security and export control, open-source background checks may be conducted on qualified candidates for the position.

The Department of Wind and Energy Systems is one of the world’s largest centers for wind energy and energy systems research and knowledge, with a staff of more than 400 people from 37 countries working in research, innovation, research-based consulting, and education. DTU Wind and Energy Systems has approximately 90 PhD students. The department's cross-disciplinary research is organized through strategic research programmes that collaborate with Danish and international universities, research institutions, and organizations, as well as the wind industry.

Technology for people
DTU develops technology for people. With our international elite research and study programmes, we are helping to create a better world and to solve the global challenges formulated in the UN’s 17 Sustainable Development Goals. Hans Christian Ørsted founded DTU in 1829 with a clear mission to develop and create value using science and engineering to benefit society. That mission lives on today. DTU has 13,500 students and 6,000 employees. We work in an international atmosphere and have an inclusive, evolving, and informal working environment. DTU has campuses in all parts of Denmark and in Greenland, and we collaborate with the best universities around the world.