Associate Research Fellow, Future Grids

Why work with us?

At Deakin you will have access to benefits such as a variety of leave options including generous parental leave and the ability to purchase additional leave; flexible working arrangements to help manage your work-life balance; ongoing learning and development opportunities to grow your career; an inclusive and supportive culture and environment to work in, both online and on campus.

Who are we?

Deakin University stands as a beacon of pioneering research and innovation, deeply rooted in the heart of Australia. Our dedication to groundbreaking research initiatives is at the core of our identity, setting us apart as a hub for knowledge seekers and forward-thinking researchers. With a diverse, global community of scholars and a commitment to pushing the boundaries of knowledge, Deakin University offers an unparalleled platform for those who are passionate about exploring the frontiers of research. Join us on this exhilarating research journey, and let Deakin's spirit of inquiry and innovation become the driving force behind your own quest for discovery.

As an Associate Research Fellow, you will:

• Collaborate with the ARC Future Grids ITTC team to undertake applied, industry-focussed research, under the Energy Transmission theme of the ITTC, with a particular focus on PMU based wide-area control to achieve improved grid stability
• Undertake research individually or as part of a team of the ARC ITTC Future Grids and other projects related to power and energy and dissemination of project outcomes to research communities, and industry partners in platforms, such as workshops, conferences, or publications in high-impact journals.
• Develop and maintain strong links with international collaborators, electrical power distribution and transmission utilities, and other allied electrical engineering industries.
• Play a role and coordinate HDR students’ research projects in the following programs:

       - Design of a phase-locked loop for inverters to avoid grid synchronisation instability.
       - Optimal mix of generation in power grid rich with renewables to maximise economic benefits under
          uncertainty.
       - Controlled islanding to limit cascading fault events.
       - Damping of power system oscillations by controlling the set-points of wind/solar power plant
          controllers.

In a typical week, you will:

• Conduct high-quality research, scholarship and creative activities generating high impact outputs, with mentorship.
• Engage collaboratively to participate in novel and high-quality research or creative activities and participate in intra- and inter-disciplinary research collaborations
• Ensure the impact of academic activity on the field and the community by adopting a culture of research excellence, innovation and impact
• Support and may lead applications for funding for research and creative activities, including communicating outputs individually or as part of team
• Build awareness of and links with, industry partners and participate in opportunities for research partnerships and begin to build track record of timely delivery of outcomes for industry partners
• Co-supervise and support HDR students to timely outcomes with productive high-quality outcomes.

Additional information:

• This position will be divided between two Universities, where the successful candidate will initially join Deakin University for a fixed-term period of 20 months
• At the conclusion of the 20 months, the successful candidate will have the opportunity to apply for a comparable research position at the University of Wollongong, committing to an additional fixed term of 2.5 years to further contribute to ongoing research projects                                                                                                                                                                                

To be successful, you’ll have:

• PhD degree in electrical power engineering or relevant discipline and/or other equivalent qualifications and experience.
• Emerging research and scholarship through publications, and/or exhibitions on wide area power systems, including power system stability, synchronisation and fault analysis.
• Demonstrated understanding of power systems dynamics, stability and control and proficiency in using one or more industry software packages in power systems, e.g., PSCAD, DigSILENT, PSS®E, PSS®SINCAL.
• Demonstrated ability of modelling and controlling grid-connected renewables with PMU-aided monitoring and control methods..
• Ability to contribute to communities through research.
• Capacity to contribute to teaching, research and administration.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and a proven ability to establish good working relationships with colleagues.
• Ability to contribute to community engagement for research.

Here's how to apply: 

Please submit your updated resume, a short cover letter and responses to the Key Selection Criteria.

For a confidential discussion regarding this role, please contact Samson Yu on (03) 5227 3*** or via *********@deakin.edu.au   

For a copy of the position description, please see below:  PD- Associate Research Fellow, Future Grids.pdf

Applications for this position close on 27 March at 11.55pm

Are You Ready?

Deakin is a Victorian university with a global impact. We are an agile, dynamic, and innovative university committed to making a positive impact through our excellence in education, research and innovation and the contributions we make to the wider community.

We understand that our reputation has been built on the dedication and expertise of our staff and we offer a dynamic and diverse working environment with opportunities to grow and develop careers. We believe that a progressive, thriving culture will ensure that people choose to come, and stay at Deakin and contribute to our ongoing success.

We value diversity and aim to build an inclusive environment that champions, embraces and respects differences. We support and encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, and people of all abilities, cultures, sexual orientation, and genders.