Junior Scientist – DC-Microgrid Project (all genders) - combined with PhD Position at TU Graz // Job-ID: 180-1
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· GRAZ
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Your future responsibilities
You want to pursue your PhD – and gain hands-on experience in applied research at the same time? Then this position is exactly right for you.
Within the DC-Microgrid research project, you will join Silicon Austria Labs (SAL) and Graz University of Technology (TU Graz) in developing innovative inverter topologies for industrial applications – combining academic depth with real-world relevance.
The co-employment at the Graz University of Technology will be within the framework of a PhD thesis. For the co-employment, a two step application process is necessary. An additional application at Graz University of Technology is mandatory. Further information can be discussed in a first interview.
This position offers a unique opportunity to work on cutting-edge research with a direct link to industrial applications, contributing to the next generation of high performance DC microgrid systems.
Dual employment at SAL and TU Graz
Collaboration within an international academic and industrial consortium
PhD research focus: Development and benchmarking of advanced inverter topologies using Si, SiC, and GaN technologies
Application of results in real systems, such as industrial compressor drives
Your tasks:
Topology optimization and EMI filter design
Control system development
Hardware design and PCB layout
System testing under varying DC input and non-linear loads
Your profile
Master’s degree in Power Electronics or related field
Diverse research activities with many technical challenges.
State-of-the-art laboratory facilities and equipment.
Location in the heart of Europe in Austria – relocation support for non-European nationalities.
Internal and external training opportunities for career development.
Family & children friendly - actively shaping the compatibility of family and career.
“Vital4SAL” to promote a healthy workplace (e.g. SAL coaching pool, trainings on mental health, physical activities, healthy snacks, 24/7 accident insurance)
€ 4 per day meal allowance in restaurants or € 2 per working day in supermarkets.
Public transport initiative (subsidy for the “Klimaticket”
This part time position at SAL (20 hours / week) is subject to the Collective Agreement for employees in non-university research (Research CA) in occupational group E1. We offer competitive salaries and additional benefits. For this position, your monthly salary, based on full-time (38.5 hours per week) is EUR 3.963,00, paid 14 times a year.
Silicon Austria Labs (SAL) is a top research center for Electronics and Software Based Systems (ESBS). At three locations (Graz, Villach, Linz), SAL is conducting research along the entire ESBS value chain in the areas of sensor systems, power electronics, intelligent wireless systems, microsystems and embedded systems to develop future-oriented solutions for industrial production, health, energy, mobility, safety and more. SAL brings together key players from industry, science and research and thus valuable expertise and know-how and conducts cooperative, application-oriented research along the value chain. Cooperative projects are co-financed by SAL and enable a fast and unbureaucratic project start. SAL is thus shaping the high-tech location Austria and Europe and developing the future
Innovation is our top priority and so are our employees. We are a family-friendly company and support the compatibility of work and family as much as possible. That is why we have been awarded the Work and Family Certificate until 2026. But we are constantly working on new measures to offer our employees an environment where they feel good, healthy and motivated. You want to get more SALinsights?
Deine zukünftigen Aufgaben
The Research Unit Architectures & Topologies is aiming for novel topologies for different converters applications, utilization of passive technologies within circuits and using new devices or module technologies for power converters.
For the DC-Microgrid project, the Power Electronics Division, specifically the Research Unit Architectures & Topologies, in collaboration with Graz University of Technology, Institute of Electric Drives and Power Electronic Systems (headed by Univ.-Prof. Dr. sc. ETH Michael Hartmann), is looking for a new colleague. The successful candidate will join the project team as a co-employed member of both institutions.
The DC-Microgrid project is part of a consortium comprising twelve academic and industrial partners, aiming to develop innovative and cutting-edge solutions for industrial DC microgrids. As part of this effort, we at SAL are seeking a motivated researcher to contribute to our project in this exciting field.
Building on your expertise, your role at SAL will focus on performing multi-objective optimisations to identify optimal inverter topologies using the latest semiconductor technologies including Silicon (Si), Silicon Carbide (SiC) and Gallium Nitride (GaN).
Key tasks will include
Design and integration of an EMI output filter stage
Control system design
Hardware and PCB development
Testing and validation of the system under variable DC link input voltage conditions and non-linear compressor drive loads
The co-employment at the Graz University of Technology will be within the framework of a PhD thesis. The focus of the thesis will be on investigating inverter topologies that leverage the latest semiconductor technologies and advanced passive filter materials for an industrial piston stroke compressor drive. A key aspect of the work will involve benchmarking existing technologies, such as voltage source inverters (VSI), against alternative concepts like current source inverters (CSI), with the goal of identifying and developing optimized solutions for industrial applications. For the co-employment, a two step application process is necessary. An additional application at Graz University of Technology is mandatory. Further information can be diiscussed in a first interview.
This position offers a unique opportunity to work on cutting-edge research with a direct link to industrial applications, contributing to the next generation of high performance DC microgrid systems.
Dein Profil
Master’s degree in Power Electronics or a closely related field
Strong background in converter and inverter topologies, semiconductor technologies, and control design
Experience with hardware development, PCB design, and experimental validation is an advantage
Motivation to work in a collaborative, interdisciplinary, and industrially relevant research environment
Some years of experience within industry in the one of the topics mentioned above would be a plus
Knowledge and experience within power electronics converters, especially with
wide-bandgap power devices,
conducted EMI noise emissions,
modelling and control design and
measuring and testing
Knowledge with newest bidirectional power switch technologies would be a plus
Preferable experience with MATLAB/Simulink and PCB design software (e.g. Altium Designer)
Self-contained and organized working
Relocation to Graz / Austria
English skills are mandatory to work in our multidisciplinary and multicultural team
Wichtige Fakten über SAL
Diverse research activities with many technical challenges.
State-of-the-art laboratory facilities and equipment.
Location in the heart of Europe in Austria – relocation support for non-European nationalities.
Internal and external training opportunities for career development.
Home office in Austria (max. 40%) and work from anywhere in the European Union possible (< 25%).
Family & children friendly - actively shaping the compatibility of family and career.
“Vital4SAL” to promote a healthy workplace (e.g. SAL coaching pool, trainings on mental health, physical activities, healthy snacks, 24/7 accident insurance)
€ 4 per day meal allowance in restaurants or € 2 per working day in supermarkets.
Public transport initiative (subsidy for the “Klimaticket”
This part time position at SAL (20 hours / week) is subject to the Collective Agreement for employees in non-university research (Research CA) in occupational group E1. We offer competitive salaries and additional benefits. For this position, your monthly salary, based on full-time (38.5 hours per week) is EUR 3.963,00, paid 14 times a year.
Silicon Austria Labs GmbH (SAL) ist Österreichs Spitzenforschungszentrum für elektronikbasierte Systeme – sie sind das technologische Rückgrat der Digitalisierung. An den Standorten Graz, Villach und Linz wird in den Bereichen Sensor Systems, Power Electronics, Intelligent Wireless Systems, Microsystems und Embedded Systems an zukunftsweisenden Lösungen für Umweltschutz, Gesundheit, Energie, Mobilität und Sicherheit geforscht. SAL bringt dabei wesentliche Akteure aus Industrie und Wissenschaft und damit wertvolle Expertise und Know-how zusammen und betreibt kooperative, anwendungsorientierte Forschung entlang der Wertschöpfungskette. Kooperative Projekte werden von SAL kofinanziert und ermöglichen einen unbürokratischen und schnellen Projektstart. Damit gestaltet SAL den Hochtechnologiestandort Österreich und Europa und entfaltet die Zukunft.
Innovation steht bei uns an erster Stelle, und das gilt auch für unsere Mitarbeiter*innen. Wir sind ein familienfreundliches Unternehmen und unterstützen die Vereinbarkeit von Beruf und Familie so weit wie möglich. Deshalb sind wir bis 2026 mit dem Zertifikat "Beruf und Familie" ausgezeichnet worden. Aber wir arbeiten ständig an neuen Maßnahmen, um unseren Mitarbeitern ein Umfeld zu bieten, in dem sie sich wohlfühlen, gesund und motiviert sind.
Wir freuen uns auf Ihre Bewerbung! UNFOLD THE FUTURE
Wir freuen uns auf Ihre Bewerbung und über Ihr Interesse, Teil der Silicon Austria Labs GmbH Family zu werden. Bitte füllen Sie das Bewerbungsformular sorgfältig aus. Sollte es Schwierigkeiten beim Ausfüllen geben, wenden Sie sich bitte an human.resources@silicon-austria.com.
