Postdoctoral researcher
Position details
- Status
- Expression of interest (EOI)
- Position type
- Postdoctoral researcher
- Primary location
- Khalifa University, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
This is an expression of interest (EOI), not a confirmed funded vacancy or an official Khalifa University (KU) application. Funding, salary, duration, eligibility, and start date will be stated in any formal call.
Position overview
The postdoctoral researcher will lead a defined research stream in advanced control, optimization, cyber-physical systems, digital twins, or sustainable energy. The role combines original method development with reproducible software and credible simulation, real-time, or experimental validation.
The scope will balance theoretical depth with reproducible engineering evidence, clear communication, and practical relevance.
Research topics
- Advanced model predictive control (MPC), robust, stochastic, distributed, adaptive, and data-driven control.
- System identification, state estimation, digital twins, fault diagnosis, and predictive maintenance.
- Renewable microgrids, grid-forming converters, energy storage, and system resilience.
- Green hydrogen, fuel cells, Power-to-X systems, and electric mobility.
- Hardware-in-the-loop (HIL), power hardware-in-the-loop (PHIL), embedded control, and industrial automation.
Key responsibilities
- Define the research question, methodology, work plan, milestones, risks, and validation evidence.
- Develop models, algorithms, software, and experimental or real-time implementations.
- Design benchmark, sensitivity, uncertainty, HIL, or laboratory studies appropriate to the scientific claims.
- Lead papers, reports, presentations, demonstrations, and assigned project deliverables.
- Mentor junior researchers and contribute to collaborations and technically grounded proposals.
Required qualifications
- A completed or nearly completed PhD in a relevant field, with completion required by the appointment date.
- Strong foundations in control, optimization, mathematical modelling, and numerical methods.
- Evidence of independent research and high-quality peer-reviewed publications.
- Proficiency in MATLAB/Simulink, Python, C/C++, or other project-appropriate tools.
- Good written and spoken English, research planning skills, and multidisciplinary collaboration experience.
Preferred experience
- Advanced control, nonlinear or hybrid systems, formal methods, or scientific machine learning.
- Power electronics, renewable microgrids, energy storage, hydrogen systems, or electric mobility.
- HIL/PHIL and real-time platforms such as OPAL-RT, RTDS, dSPACE, Speedgoat, or equivalent.
- Digital twins, data-driven modelling, diagnostics, or experimental validation.
- Student mentoring, proposal development, or international and industry collaboration.
Application process
Prepare the following information before opening the independent application page:
- A current academic CV.
- A complete publication list.
- A focused research-fit statement identifying a relevant question and proposed approach.
- One representative lead contribution explaining the applicant’s specific role.
- Google Scholar, ORCID, code repository, or research-portfolio links, where available.