PhD Scholarships in Trustworthy Foundation Models and Physics-Informed Neural Networks for Power Systems - DTU Wind
Are you a talented, self-motivated, and team-oriented person, who thrives in a collaborative environment and enjoys working with complex topics? We seek two PhD students willing to be part of a world leading research environment and contribute to the development for the next generation machine learning tools for power systems.
One PhD student will focus on physics-informed neural networks and their integration with large language models to accelerate power system dynamic simulations. The goal is to design methods that can seamlessly integrate large language models as orchestrators with physics-informed neural networks and commercial power system dynamic simulation tools.
The second PhD student will focus on the development of Trustworthy AI Foundation Models for or the secure operation and planning of real transmission and distribution grids.
The Division for Power and Energy Systems of DTU Wind and Energy Systems provides cutting edge research in sustainable, reliable and cost-efficient energy systems to the benefit of society. At DTU Wind and Energy Systems you will enjoy the advantages of a creative and inspiring work environment shared with about 400 highly skilled and motivated colleagues.
Responsibilities and qualifications
The two PhD positions are part of the European Project GENAISIS and the Marie-Curie Doctoral Network AI4Power. GenAISIS is a newly-funded international research project, with 36 industrial and academic partners across 16 countries. Its goal is to design, implement and validate a pan-European Generative-AI-powered Energy Digital Spine, i.e. a digital backbone turning today’s fragmented digital energy sector into an interoperable Software-Defined Smart Grid. One of it four pillars is trustworthy AI, where the DTU team is expected to contribute. It will demonstrate its developed technologies across 10 large-scale multi-country pilots of which our team at DTU will have the high-level coordination. AI4Power is a newly funded research project that brings together 23 partners across 8 countries aiming to deliver innovative AI-based solutions for critical areas of system operation and control, demonstrating trustworthiness, explainability, and adaptability. AI4Power will involve 15 PhD students across Europe and create a coordinated doctoral training program that will prepare a new generation of researchers skilled in AI technologies (including Generative AI) and their application in energy systems.
You will be part of a dynamic working environment with a pleasant team atmosphere where you will have the opportunity to grow and develop your academic, industry, and personal skills. Besides cutting-edge research, PhD students participate in international research projects, collaborate with industry, and are given the opportunity to assist in teaching courses, and co-supervise BSc and MSc students, which allow them to develop necessary skills for the next steps in their career.
We are looking for candidates with diverse background to join our team. You must have a two-year master's degree (120 ECTS points) or a similar degree with an academic level equivalent to a two-year master's degree. MSc graduates with a background in engineering, mathematics, computer science, computer engineering, physics, sustainable energy and any related discipline are encouraged to apply.
You are expected to carry out high-quality research on the intersection of machine learning, data science, power system simulation and operation, both from a theoretical/analytical point of view and in terms of coding.
We are looking for self-motivated and team-oriented people who thrive in a collaborative environment and enjoy working with complex topics.
A successful candidate will have a solid background in four or more of the following points:
- Machine learning techniques, statistics, and probabilities
- Numerical methods for time-domain simulations
- Power system dynamics
- Power system optimization
- Programming tools such as Python, Julia, Pytorch, etc.
- Power system software such as Powerfactory, PSCAD, EMTP
- Excellent use of the English language
- Good ability to present results in oral presentations, and prepare scientific papers for publication in international journals, and willingness to work in a team-oriented environment
Approval and Enrolment
The scholarships for the PhD degree are subject to academic approval, and the candidates will be enrolled in one of the general degree programmes at DTU. For information about our enrolment requirements and the general planning of the PhD study programme, please see DTU's rules for the PhD education.
Assessment
The assessment of the candidates will be based on the material they submit and one or two stages of interview, online and/or in person. During one of the two stages, the candidates will be asked to review a paper that will be sent to them, and describe its strengths, weaknesses, and potential for future extensions.
The assessment of applications will be ongoing and will start before the application deadline.
We offer
DTU is a leading technical university globally recognized for the excellence of its research, education, innovation and scientific advice. We offer a rewarding and challenging job in an international environment. We strive for academic excellence in an environment characterized by collegial respect and academic freedom tempered by responsibility.
Salary and appointment terms
The appointment will be based on the collective agreement with the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations. Please see DTU’s salary structure for scientific staff: www.inside.dtu.dk/en/human-resources/during-employment/salary/salary-structures.
Desired starting date is 1st of November 2026 or flexible, according to the HR requirements and mutual agreement. Both positions are full-time positions.
You can read more about career paths at DTU here.
Further information
Further information may be obtained from Professor Spyros Chatzivasileiadis, tel.: +45 4525 5621, Email: [email protected].
You can read more about the Department of Wind and Energy Systems at www.wind.dtu.dk
If you are applying from abroad, you may find useful information on working in Denmark and at DTU at DTU - Moving to Denmark. Furthermore, you have the option of joining our monthly free seminar “PhD relocation to Denmark and startup “Zoom” seminar ” for all questions regarding the practical matters of moving to Denmark and working as a PhD at DTU.
Application procedure
Your complete online application must be submitted no later than15 October 2026 (23:59 Danish time).
You are welcome to apply for both or any of the two PhD positions. If you are interested in only one of the two positions, you are welcome to indicate this in your application letter.
Applications must be submitted as one PDF file containing all materials to be given consideration. To apply, please open the link "Apply now", fill out the online application form, and attach all your materials in English in one PDF file. The file must include:
- A letter motivating the application (cover letter)
- Curriculum vitae
- Grade transcripts and BSc/MSc diploma (in English) including official description of grading scale
- A Research Statement (max. 700 words), where you outline a potential research direction that interests you. The research statement shall address the following three questions: (1) What - what is the topic you propose to carry out research on? (2) Why - why is it necessary to develop a solution (or a new solution, if one already exists) for this topic? (3) How - how do you plan to develop a solution for this topic (general research directions, not necessary to go into too much detail). The research topic you discuss is completely up to you; it may or may not be related to the research topics of the positions advertised.
- Contact details of two individuals that can provide a letter of reference
Please indicate which project you are applying for (title from the above list of PhD projects or individual research projects).
Incomplete applications will not be considered. You may apply prior to obtaining your master's degree but cannot begin before having received it.
Applications received after the deadline will not be considered.
All interested candidates irrespective of age, gender, disability, race, religion or ethnic background are encouraged to apply. As DTU works with research in critical technology, which is subject to special rules for security and export control, open-source background checks may be conducted on qualified candidates for the position.
The Department of Wind and Energy Systems
The Department of Wind and Energy Systems is one of the world’s largest centers of wind energy and energy systems research and knowledge, with a staff of more than 400 people from 37 countries working in research, innovation, research-based consulting and education. DTU Wind and Energy Systems has approximately 90 PhD students. The department’s cross-disciplinary research is organized through strategic research programmes that collaborate with Danish and international universities, research institutions and organizations, as well as the wind industry.
DTU - For the benefit of society since 1829
DTU is one of Europe's leading elite technical universities. Through research and education at an international top level, we create solutions to the major societal challenges of our time and help secure Europe's global leadership in sustainable technological development. Since Hans Christian Ørsted founded DTU almost 200 years ago, our mission has remained the same: We develop and create value through the natural and technical sciences for the benefit of society. DTU has 13,800 students, 1,600 PhD students, and 6,500 employees. We work in an international environment and have an inclusive, stimulating, and informal work culture. DTU has campuses in all parts of Denmark and in Greenland and collaborates with the best universities around the world.