Aalborg University Electrolysis Digital Twin PhD 2026: Apply

Aalborg University PhD Position: At a Glance

Research Project: Digital Twins for Power-to-X Electrolysis

The successful PhD researcher will develop physics-based, data-driven or hybrid digital twins of hydrogen electrolysis and integrated Power-to-X (P2X) systems. The research examines electrochemical, thermal, flow and system-level behaviour while linking electrolyser operation with renewable electricity, power conversion, hydrogen/energy storage, downstream processes and energy demand.

The objective is more efficient and flexible operation under variable renewable-energy supply, achieved through multi-timescale modelling, optimisation and control. The post is associated with the Pioneer Center for Accelerating P2X Materials Discovery (CAPeX) and Aalborg University’s Applied Power Electronic Systems research section.

Main Research Responsibilities

• Build and validate electrolysis-system digital twins suitable for performance forecasting, state estimation and system monitoring.
• Design computationally efficient approaches, including potential real-time use.
• Analyse coupled operational timescales—from rapid electrical/thermal/flow responses to longer-term production scheduling.
• Develop optimisation and control strategies for electrolyser efficiency, flexibility and cost performance.
• Work with international university and industry collaborators; publish scientific results and present at conferences.
• Undertake limited teaching or student supervision where required.

Who Can Apply? Essential Qualifications

The posting requires a relevant master’s degree in energy, electrical, mechanical, chemical or control engineering, or a related field. Applicants should demonstrate strengths in at least one of energy/electrochemical modelling, dynamic modelling and control, mathematical optimisation or data-driven modelling.

Specialisation in every listed technique is not required. Previous work in model predictive control, system identification, digital twins, power electronics, machine learning, electrolyser technologies, model-order reduction or hardware-in-the-loop testing is advantageous.

Salary, PhD Enrollment and Working Conditions

This is a salaried PhD stipend/appointment governed by Danish university academic-staff employment rules and the collective agreement between the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations and the state. The specific gross monthly salary is not quoted in the individual posting; applicants should consult AAU’s official scientific-staff salary overview.

The fellow must enrol at the Doctoral School of Engineering and Science. The normal appointment duration is three years; the vacancy states a three-month mutual probationary period. Teaching and supervised research activity may form part of the appointment. The posting does not promise universal relocation allowances or a fixed net salary.

Required Application Documents

• Application explaining motivation and the fit between your qualifications and the vacancy.
• Academic CV.
• Bachelor’s and master’s degree certificates and transcripts/grades.
• Three- to five-page project description outlining initial ideas, state of the art, short reference list, timeline and approach to project objectives.
• Scientific publications, if any.
• Other relevant supporting documents.

How to Prepare a Strong 3–5 Page Project Description

A practical structure consistent with AAU’s request is:

1. Problem and motivation: explain the gap between detailed electrochemical models and real-time, system-level optimal operation.
2. Short literature overview: cite current studies in electrolyser digital twins, renewable integration, dynamic control and multi-timescale optimisation.
3. Research questions: focus on model accuracy, computational tractability and robust operation with variable power inputs.
4. Methodology: propose physics-based/data-driven hybrid models, estimation and validation strategies, and a suitable optimisation framework.
5. Milestones and risks: provide a realistic three-year schedule, datasets or simulation assumptions, validation limits and expected outputs.

This is practical editorial guidance, not a university-prescribed page-by-page template. Align the proposal with actual skills and do not claim laboratory facilities, datasets or experimental access that have not been confirmed.

How to Apply by 16 October 2026

1. Read Aalborg University’s official vacancy 2026/1138.
2. Confirm a relevant master’s qualification and programming/modelling capability.
3. Prepare a tailored application letter, CV, degrees/transcripts, 3–5-page project description and any publications.
4. Open the university’s linked Varbi recruitment system and create/sign into an applicant account.
5. Upload the documents and submit by 16 October 2026, following the submission time displayed in the live portal.
6. Save the application confirmation and monitor email for shortlisting or assessment requests.

Applications must be submitted via the university’s official recruitment system; emailing a professor alone does not constitute a formal application.

Selection, Research Environment and Contacts

Aalborg University states that qualified experts assess candidates and that shortlisting is used. After the deadline, the department selects applicants for detailed assessment and informs applicants of whether they were shortlisted. The university may also conduct a recruitment-related risk assessment.

The research environment spans electrolysers, control, power electronics and energy-system optimisation. The announcement describes collaboration with Technical University of Denmark, University of Toronto, Stanford University and Utrecht University, and possible research visits, subject to project arrangements.

Applicant Fit: Green Hydrogen and Computational Research

This PhD is best suited to applicants with a strong mathematical, computational or engineering background who want to investigate green-hydrogen electrolysis, digital-twin models, optimisation and renewable power integration. A general chemistry or materials background may be relevant where accompanied by the modelling, coding and system-dynamics competencies explicitly requested.

Applicants lacking numerical simulation experience should assess feasibility carefully; the position is not advertised as a purely wet-lab electrochemistry fellowship or a generic green-hydrogen scholarship.