Job Description 

The position is part of the ‘Integrated HIgh-speed POwer systems for industry and mobile applications (HIPO)’, in a MSCA program running from 2022 to 2026 in Europe with six academic institutions: LUT, KIT (Karlsruhe Institute of Technology), CHALMERS, DTU, Aalborg and UNIPI. This doctoral network will educate and train 10 highly skilled doctoral candidates (DCs) and with them create methodology for optimum drive designs in transportation applications. This position is one of the 10 doctoral student positions in the MSCA HIPO doctoral network. The candidate will get strong guidance from two high-quality supervisors from universities (KIT and LUT) and one guiding expert from laser machine Industry, Trumpf SE + Co. KG, to get the best understanding on latest industrial aspects. High-power high-speed machines (HPHSM) and system integration are the “Formula One” - or “World Rally cars” of the electrical drives industry. Similar as in motor sports – in the HSM drives, the latest technological advancements are adapted, and they will be pushed to their extreme limits. To gain the best energy, material and economic efficiency, power electronics, motors and their cooling systems must be integrated.The manufacturing of a HPHSM-drive system is the most demanding and laborious of the electrical machine drive systems requiring comprehensive understanding of the fundamental phenomena and multi-disciplinary approach. The physical boundaries are set by the electromagnetic, thermal, material and mechanical limits. The cross relations between the fields require trade-offs in design.

An important field of research for this position is the design of electrical machines with power densities of 15 kW/kg and more, which strongly depends on efficient cooling systems. For highly integrated machines, a combined cooling architecture for motor and power electronics must be developed. Approaches such as in-slot cooling ducts, in-lamination cooling ducts and bearing shields with integrated power electronics cooling are well suited to increase system performance while reducing system dimensions. The focus of this position is to investigate the potential of highly integrated drive systems utilizing novel cooling concepts and combined design strategies. Finally, the development of a prototype as well as extensive testing on our test facilities is used to validate the design. In addition to the optimization of the power density, this also enables a higher overall efficiency of the drive system. 

Eligibility Criteria 

Applicants should be highly motivated with the background in designing and developing electrical machines. Mechanical/chemical background on manufacturing electrical machines or rotors will be an advantage. A high proficiency in oral and written English is required (preferable with certificate or English skills are shown during interview), basic German language skills are appreciated.

To be eligible simultaneously fulfil the following criteria at the time of recruitment:

• Mobility: candidates must not have resided or carried out their main activity (work, studies, etc…) in Germany for more than 12 months in the 3 years immediately prior to recruitment.
• Qualification: candidates must hold a degree that formally entitles them to embark on a doctorate, either in the country in which the degree was obtained or in the country in which the research training is provided (typically a master’s degree – MSc).

Benefits 

We offer a 36-months full-time work contract, starting from 1st of March 2023 at the Institute of Electrical Engineering at KIT, Karlsruhe, Germany. The employment contract can be only concluded if the candidate obtains the right to pursue postgraduate studies at KIT (also please check the eligibility). The monthly gross salary is 3.342,20 EUR with an additional 600,00 EUR mobility allowance (total 3.942,20 EUR). If required, a family allowance of 495,00 EUR according to the MSCA regulations will be approved. This doctoral student position is free of tuition fees. The recruited person will be a professor of the Institute of Electrical Engineering (ETI) of KIT, Karlsruhe, Germany.

Skills/Qualifications

Completed bachelor's and master's degree in electrical engineering, mechatronics, mechanical engineering or a comparable field. The requiered language skills is English (excellent). 

Specific Requirements 

The deadline for applications is 30th of November 2022 at midnight, Central European time (Brussel).

To apply for this position, please fill out the online application form (link below). The application for enrolment must include the following:

• Motivation letter
• Curriculum vitae (including personal particulars).
• Diplomas confirming academic degrees (Bachelor and Master Degrees), and the academic transcripts (in English). If the original documents are not in English or German, each document must be accompanied by an official certified translation into English or German.
• Publications (if applicable)