Postdoc in MV Power Converters for Electrification of Heating in CCU Applications

Introduction

Are you passionate about electrifying industrial heat? You will design medium-voltage converters as programmable heat sources, enabling large-scale, efficient electrification of heating in carbon capture and utilization processes.

Job Description

Electrifying industrial heat

Industrial heat accounts for two-thirds of industrial energy demand and nearly one-fifth of global energy use. In the Netherlands, a third of all energy goes to thermal heating in the chemical industry — most of it still from fossil fuels, making it a major source of industrial CO₂. Electrifying these processes with green electricity is essential: an estimated 80–130 TWh of Dutch industrial demand must be electrified before 2050. In this position, you help make that transition possible.

Your challenge

You will develop the medium-voltage (MV) power-electronic converters that turn green electricity into efficient, high-power heat for Carbon Capture and Utilization (CCU) processes. Rather than treating the heater as a fixed load, you design the converter as a programmable heat source — one whose voltage level, output waveform, and frequency spectrum actively shape the thermal profile. Working at the interface of electrical and thermal engineering, you co-design the power stage and heating mechanism to reach extremely high efficiency at industrial scale. Your research centres on two challenges:

• Topologies and control — You develop and compare MV converter topologies and control strategies delivering DC, high-frequency AC, and hybrid DC-with-AC-ripple outputs to drive resistive, inductive, and hybrid impedance heating, maximizing conversion efficiency while keeping heat uniform across the workpiece.
• Insulation co-design — You co-design the power stage and its insulation system for safe MV operation, using FEM analysis of electric-field distribution, dielectric stability, and breakdown to guide topology selection, dv/dt management, and modulation, validated on a down-scaled prototype.

Where you will work

You carry out this position at TU/e Eindhoven within HyCARB, a national programme funded by the National Growth Fund via GroenvermogenNL that unites 45 Dutch knowledge institutions and companies to build the technology base for carbon-based chemistry from green hydrogen, green electrons, and captured CO₂. Coordinated by TNO with joint technical lead from TU/e and Utrecht University, HyCARB develops and compares thermal and electrochemical CO₂-conversion routes — your work anchors the electrification of process heat line. You join the Electrical Energy Systems group, collaborating closely with PhD students, postdocs, and process and materials partners in a supportive, multidisciplinary team.

What you will deliver

• A quantitative comparison of resistive (DC), inductive (AC), and hybrid (DC-with-AC-ripple) heating in terms of conversion efficiency and heat uniformity, mapped onto the corresponding converter operating regimes.
• Novel, modular and scalable MV converter topologies and control methods based on wide-bandgap (SiC) devices and multilevel or series-connected stages, meeting the dielectric criteria while delivering the dynamic control needed to shape the thermal profile.
• A down-scaled experimental prototype for design validation and integration with the CCU heating system.

Job Requirements

• PhD in power electronics or any other relevant program.
• Ability to conduct high-quality academic research, demonstrated for instance by a relevant Ph.D. thesis and/or publication(s).
• Hands-on experience in the design and implementation of medium-voltage and/or high-power converters, wide-bandgap (SiC) devices, and converter control.
• Have a forward-thinking mindset, and is ambitious to develop a large program on power-to-heat and electrification technology for CCU together with industrial partners.
• Excellent mastering of the English language, good communication and leadership skills.
• Be a team player and able to work in a dynamic, interdisciplinary context.

Conditions of Employment

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 2 years.
• Salary in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities, scale 10 (min. € 4,241 max. € 5,538 gross per month).
• A year-end bonus of 8.3% and annual vacation pay of 8%.
• High-quality training programs on general skills, didactics and topics related to research and valorization.
• An excellent technical infrastructure, on-campus children's day care and sports facilities.
• Unlimited access to the modern on‑campus TU/e Student Sports Center at an exceptionally affordable rate.
• Partially paid parental leave and an allowance for commuting, working from home and internet costs. 
• A TU/e Postdoc Association that helps you to build a stronger and broader academic and personal network, and offers tailored support, training and workshops.
• A Staff Immigration Team is available for international candidates, as are a tax compensation scheme (the 30% facility) and a compensation for moving expenses.

On our website you can discover even more information about our conditions of employment. Build on your career at TU/e!

About us

We are a leading international university where scientific curiosity meets a hands-on mindset. We work in an open and collaborative way with high-tech industries to tackle complex societal challenges. Our responsible and respectful approach ensures impact — today and in the future. TU/e is home to over 13,000 students and more than 7,000 staff, forming a diverse and vibrant academic community.

Our university is located in Brainport Eindhoven — a world‑leading tech region with more than 7,000 high‑tech companies and strong R&D activity. Known for breakthroughs in AI, photonics, semiconductors and advanced manufacturing, Brainport is a place where technology serves people and society. Learn more about the Brainport region here.

The mission of the Department of Electrical Engineering is to acquire, share and transfer knowledge and understanding in the whole field of Electrical Engineering through education, research and valorization. We work towards a ‘Smart Sustainable Society’, a ‘Connected World’, and a healthy humanity (‘Care & Cure’). Activities share an application-oriented character, a high degree of complexity and a large synergy between multiple facets of the field.

Research is carried out into the applications of electromagnetic phenomena in all forms of energy conversion, telecommunication and electrical signal processing. Existing and new electrical components and systems are analyzed, designed and built. The Electrical Engineering department takes its inspiration from contacts with high-tech industry in the direct surrounding region and beyond.

The department is innovative and has international ambitions and partnerships. The result is a challenging and inspiring setting in which socially relevant issues are addressed.

Information

Do you recognize yourself in this profile and would you like to know more? Please contact the hiring manager Dr Dongsheng Yang, [email protected]. 

Visit our website for more information about the application process. You can also contact HR Services, [email protected].

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

Application

We invite you to submit a complete application using the apply-button. The application should include a:

• Cover letter in which you describe your motivation and qualifications for the position.
• Curriculum vitae, including a list of your publications and the contact information of three references. Kindly note that we may reach out to references at any stage of the recruitment process. We recommend notifying your references upon submitting your application.
• List of up to five self-selected ‘best publications’.

Ensure that you submit all the requested application documents. Please note that incomplete applications may not be considered and could be rejected.

We look forward to receiving your application and will screen it as soon as possible. The vacancy will remain open until the position is filled.

Please note

• You can apply online. We will not process applications sent by email and/or post. 
• A pre-employment screening (e.g. knowledge security check) can be part of the selection procedure. For more information on the knowledge security check, please consult the National Knowledge Security Guidelines.
• Please do not contact us for unsolicited services.