PhD Positions

misalignment-tolerant bidirectional WPT technologies. Expected innovations include novel electromagnetic coupling and converter designs, integrated shielding concepts and real-world demonstrators that enable seamless, efficient, and high-power electric vehicle charging and discharging. The network delivers a training programme to 15 Doctoral Candidates (DC), providing capabilities to become leaders of tomorrow’s R&I in Europe.

Objective of the doctoral position: Design of reconfigurable GaN-HEMT-based circuits for bidirectional wireless power transfer (WPT) systems, exploiting the time-reversal duality between oscillators and synchronous rectifiers to achieve comparable efficiency in power generation and rectification modes. The DC will target MHz-range operation and will include the development of accurate empirical models for nonlinear FET-like devices, with particular focus on third-quadrant I–V characterization to predict operation under negative drain–source voltages. Analytical and nonlinear CAD-based design methodologies for bidirectional WPT systems will be developed, followed by the implementation and experimental validation of the most promising circuit topologies, assessing key performance metrics such as conversion efficiency in both operating regimes.

The DC will participate in two planned secondments as part of the doctoral training programme: an academic secondment at the co-supervising university abroad and an industrial secondment at the mentor’s company. The DC is expected to submit regular progress reports to the local and network supervisors. In addition, the DC will actively participate in BiWPT’s training, dissemination, communication, and exploitation activities. The DC will prepare a doctoral thesis and publish scientific articles related to the research project.

Where to apply

Website: https://biwpt.eu/

Requirements

Research Field: Engineering » Electrical engineering
Education Level: Master Degree or equivalent

Skills/Qualifications

• Master’s degree (or equivalent) in Electrical Engineering, Electronic Engineering, Communication Engineering, Mechatronics, Applied Physics, or equivalent. Master's students in their final year may apply.
• Having earned an MSc’s degree no more than 6 years ago and meeting the admission requirements by the application deadline.
• Transcripts of the master’s degree should be obtained before signing the contract.
• Outstanding academic results. Moreover, applicants must have the necessary academic skills and background to make the success of a doctoral degree.
• Applicants must have the ability to understand and express themselves in both written and spoken English to a level that is sufficiently high for them to derive the full benefit from the network training.
• Motivation and commitment to interdisciplinary and intersectoral training.
• Ability to work both individually and in a team with adequate communication skills.
• Eligible to enrol in a PhD program at the host institution.

Specific Requirements

You must comply with the MSCA Eligibility Criteria:

• Mobility Rule: Applicants must not have resided or carried out their main activity in the country of the recruiting host institution for more than 12 months in the 3 years prior to the recruitment date. Compulsory national service, short stays such as holidays and time spent by the researcher as part of a procedure for obtaining refugee status under the Geneva Convention are not taken into account.
• Doctoral Candidate Rule: Applicants must not already hold a doctoral degree on the date of recruitment. Researchers who have successfully defended their doctoral thesis but have not yet formally been awarded the doctoral degree will not be considered eligible.

Languages: ENGLISH
Level: Good

Additional Information

Website for additional job details: https://biwpt.eu/

Work Location(s)

• Number of offers available: 1
• Company/Institute: University of Bologna
• Country: Italy
• City: Bologna

Contact

City: Bologna

Website: https://dei.unibo.it/en

E-Mail: biwpt@uantwerpen.be