Job description
PhD in AI for power grid balancing using recommendation-enhanced Demand Response (ILUSTRE)
The Jheronimus Academy of Data Science (JADS) is the joint Data Science Academy of Tilburg University and Eindhoven University of Technology, the Netherlands.
JADS is seeking an enthusiastic colleague for the position of
PhD researcher in AI for power grid balancing using recommendation-enhanced Demand Response,
as part of the ILUSTRE project that focusses on use-cases in the Caribbean region.
Are you fascinated in how we can align human behavior with smart AI technologies to achieve a sustainable energy transition? In this project we aim to develop novel recommendation technology that helps energy consumers in managing their energy consumption (and production). Current methods assume users passively follow the demand-response (pricing) schemes. AI technology such as recommender algorithms could play an active role in recommending consumers how and when to distribute their energy usage and return.
Job Description
As part of the ILUSTRE project, you will develop recommendation technologies to tailor advice on energy usage decisions in the smart grid. Demand-Response methods motivates energy consumers in some way (e.g. pricing-based) to adjust their energy usage to the available energy resources and demand. Smart grid technology allows DR to be more data-driven and a multitude of AI technologies have already been applied to DR but the consumer side of has not been developed much. However, modeling and supporting the energy decisions of users is crucial, as a smart grid will only be successful if the users of the systems behave predictable and in the most energy efficient way. For example, charging your electric car when the solar PV generated in the neighborhood is highest will put the smallest load on the grid and will be cheapest, but can only be achieved if it fits in the users’ calendar and daily habits.
In this project you will extend current AI energy consumption forecasting and DR methods with tailored and explainable recommendations that will provide both household and industry consumers with tailored advice how to adjust for Demand Response. As many stakeholders are involved, and dynamic changes in energy usage will affect other consumers in the network, a multi-stakeholder perspective on recommendations should be employed. You will work together with other PhD students in the lab that will work on forecasting and on identifying the stakeholders. In the project you will review existing methods for AI in DR, work on recommender model and approaches, test several of these models in prototypes and in a pilot project within the ILUSTRE project.
ILUSTRE project
This position is linked to ILUSTRE, a new Innovation Center for Artificial Intelligence (ICAI) to be established in Curaçao. ILUSTRE will be a living lab in the Caribbean with the objective to develop, implement and test AI innovations that will accelerate the use of clean energy and advanced solutions in water treatment and wastewater recycling/purification. The innovation lab is one of the new ICAI labs that are part of the ROBUST program on Trustworthy AI-based Systems for Sustainable Growth which is financed under the NWO LTP funding scheme. ILUSTRE offers opportunities for PhD candidates who wish to support to the acceleration of the energy transition and who have an affinity with the Dutch Caribbean islands.
Job requirements
- A master’s degree in artificial intelligence, data science, computer science or an equivalent quantitative field.
- Provable affinity with the Caribbean region.
- Preparedness to perform a significant part of the research in the Caribbean region.
- A research-oriented attitude.
- Ability to work in a team while also taking a pro-active attitude to drive your own research in collaboration with industrial partners and other stakeholders.
- Fluent in spoken and written English (C1 level).
Conditions of employment
Being appointed at JADS provides a meaningful job in a dynamic and ambitious community of two universities and startups. Based on the project, the candidate receives an appointment at TU/Eindhoven.
As a PhD Student at JADS you will have a full-time employment for a total of four years, with an intermediate evaluation after nine months. JADS offers excellent employment conditions with attention to flexibility and (personal) development and attractive fringe benefits. The gross monthly salary is in accordance with the Collective Labor Agreement for Dutch Universities. The minimum gross salary is € 2.541 per month up to a maximum of € 3.247 in the fourth year. You are entitled to a vacation allowance of 8% and a year-end bonus of 8.3% of your gross annual income. If you work 40 hours per week, you will receive 41 paid days of leave per year. PhD Students from outside the Netherlands may qualify for a tax-free allowance of 30% of their taxable salary if they meet the relevant conditions. The university applies for this allowance on their behalf. JADS will provide assistance in finding suitable accommodation.
The exact conditions of employment may vary depending on the percentage of time spent in Curaçao as part of your secondment.
Preferred starting date: September 1, 2023.
To develop your teaching skills, you will spend 10% of your employment on teaching tasks. To support you during your PhD and to prepare you for the rest of your career, you will make a Training and Supervision plan and you will have free access to a personal development program for PhD students.
Next to that we offer all kinds of facilities and arrangements to maintain an optimal balance between work and private life. All employees of the university are covered by the so-called General Pension Fund for Public Employers (Stichting Pensioenfonds ABP).
JADS values an open and inclusive culture. We embrace diversity and encourage the mutual integration of groups of employees and students. We focus on creating equal opportunities for all our employees and students so that everyone feels at home in our university community.
All researchers working in JADS have contracts at either Tilburg University or Eindhoven University of Technology. Please visit Working at Tilburg University and Working at Eindhoven University of Technology for more information on their respective employment conditions.
Information and application
More information
Do you recognize yourself in this profile and would you like to know more? Please contact
dr. Martijn Willemsen (M.C.Willemsen[at]jads.nl) or dr. Claudia Zucca (C.Zucca[at]jads.nl).
For information about terms of employment, please contact HR[at]JADS.nl.
Application
We invite you to submit a complete application by using the ‘apply now’-button on this page.
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.
- Brief description of your MSc thesis.
We look forward to receiving your application before June 30th, 2023. Interviews will be planned between July 3rd, 2023 and July 14th, 2023. The screening will continue until the position has been filled.
Note: CHECK OUT THE OTHER PhD vacancies at JADS: Vacancies – JADS – a great place to work
JADS
We do cool stuff that matters, with data. The Jheronimus Academy of Data Science (JADS) is a unique cooperation between Eindhoven University of Technology (TU/e) and Tilburg University (TiU). At JADS, we believe that data science can provide answers to society’s complex issues. We provide innovative educational programs, data science research, and support for business and society. With a team of lecturers, students, scientists and entrepreneurs – from a wide range of sectors and disciplines – we work on creating impact with data science. We do this by connecting people, sectors and industries: in the past 5 years we have been working with 300+ organizations on data-related projects. Our main drivers? Doing cool stuff that matters with data. Our location at the former monastery Mariënburg in Den Bosch houses a vibrant campus fully dedicated to data science.