PhD in “Cyber Security and Resilience of Cyber-Physical Energy Systems to Cyber Attacks”

The Intelligent Electrical Power Grids (IEPG) section within the Faculty of Electrical Engineering, Mathematics and Computer Science at TU Delft has a very ambitious and diversified research programme covering major technological challenges concerning the operation and planning of future power grids. IEPG is building a new research programme on resilience of cyber-physical energy systems that includes cyber security for power grids. The doctoral candidate will conduct research on cyber security and resilience of cyber-physical energy systems to cyber attacks.

Within this programme, your research tasks are:

• Work in the IEPG team and contribute to the development of a testbed for cyber security investigations at TU Delft.
• Model cyber-physical systems that include the electrical power grid, communication infrastructures, and Operational Technologies (OT) for real-time grid monitoring and control.
• Develop novel methods and prototype tools to assess the vulnerabilities of security controls and innovative technologies to secure the OT infrastructures for power grids.
• Model, simulate, and emulate cyber attacks and assess their impact on power system operation and stability using the cyber security testbed.
• Develop new technologies based on computational methods, machine learning, deep learning, and/or other Artificial Intelligence (AI) and computational intelligence techniques to detect, prevent, respond, and mitigate cyber attacks against power grids.

All methods, algorithms, and software tools developed in this research are part of a unified software platform for cyber security investigations and enhancement for power grids. This is developed and maintained by all team members using open-source software such as Python.

Within this programme, your other tasks are:

• Support the programme manager to build the research programme on “Resilience of Cyber-Physical Energy Systems” at TU Delft.
• Contribute to new project proposals to obtain external research funding.
• Report the progress made via presentations, reports, and publications.

This is a four-year doctoral appointment jointly supervised by Assistant Professor Dr. Alex Stefanov and Professor Dr. Peter Palensky. The PhD fellowship will start in September/October 2019. It offers a great opportunity to participate in a cutting-edge research programme on cyber security of future, intelligent power grids involving strong academia – industry collaborations.

Requirements 

We are looking for excellent candidates with the following qualifications, knowledge, and skills:

• MSc and BSc degrees in Computer Science, Applied Mathematics, and/or Electrical Engineering with an emphasis on Electrical Power Systems.

• Strong knowledge of control theory and mathematics including complex algebra, numerical methods such as Newton-Raphson, differential algebraic equations, discrete systems, and probability theory and statistics.

• Strong knowledge of machine learning, deep learning, and artificial intelligence.

• Demonstrable experience with computer modelling and simulation.

• Experience in software development and coding skills in Python.

• You are independent, self-motivated, reliable, and eager to learn.

• Proficiency in English for effective communication, writing, and presentation.

• Ability to work in a project team and take leadership and responsibility for different research tasks.

Employment details

TU Delft offers a customisable compensation package, a discount for health insurance and sport memberships, and a monthly work costs contribution. Flexible work schedules can be arranged. An International Children’s Centre offers childcare and an international primary school. Dual Career Services offers support to accompanying partners. Salary and benefits are in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities. 

As a PhD candidate you will be enrolled in the TU Delft Graduate School. TU Delft Graduate School provides an inspiring research environment; an excellent team of supervisors, academic staff and a mentor; and a Doctoral Education Programme aimed at developing your transferable, discipline-related and research skills. Please visit www.tudelft.nl/phd for more information. 

Information

For information about this vacancy, you can contact Dr. Alex Stefanov,Assistant Professor, email: A.I.Stefanov@tudelft.nl.

Apply? Click for more information on the 'more information-button' on top of this page. 

To apply for this PhD position please submit the following documents:

• Cover letter; CV;

• Research statement (max. 2 pages with your innovation proposal for new technologies to detect, prevent, respond, and mitigate cyber attacks against power grids);

• MSc and BSc academic transcripts in English;

• A list of two referees with contact information.

When you apply for this position please refer to vacancy number EWI2019-54. you can send your materials to Drs. H.A.E van Rijs, HR-Adviser email: hr-eemcs@tudelft.nl.