UBI-FE |1 (one) research fellowship for MSc, PhD student, Reference 2: University of Beira Interior, Power Systems, Lab, funded by the Cost Center 122143998. - #246652

NOTICE OF OPENING RESEARCH GRANT

as part of the Power Systems, Lab research projects

BI-Reference 2

A call is open for the allocation of 1 (one) research fellowship for MSc, PhD student, Reference 2: University of Beira Interior, Power Systems, Lab, funded by the Cost Center 122143998, under the following conditions:

1. Scientific Area: Electrical and Computer Engineering

2. Objectives:

Within the scope of the optimal control of hybrid generation systems with electrical energy storage, the aim is to study and develop new methods that allow optimizing the tracking of the maximum power point (MPP) in photovoltaic (PV) systems and monitoring/managing energy storage in lithium-ion (Li-Ion) batteries under real operating conditions, mitigating significant damage and, consequently, increasing their useful life. The study is based on the work that has been developed at the Power Systems, Lab on the modeling of PV systems with energy storage.

3. Admission Requirements:

a) Hold a MSc degree in Electrical and Computer Engineering and meet the conditions to be enrolled on cycle of studies leading to the PhD degree or in a non-degree course;

If the required academic degree for this call has been conferred by a foreign higher education institution, the procedures follow the requirements established in “Decree-Law 66/2018” of August 16 and Ordinance No. 33/2019 of January 25;

b) The candidate must be enrolled in a PhD. degree course in the scientific area of Electrical and Computer Engineering;

Proof of enrollment in the 3rd cycle of studies or in a course that does not confer an academic degree must be submitted, obligatorily, before the contractualization;

c) Verifiable experience in the field of electric power systems, namely in the development of algorithms for estimating parameters of PV modules/cells and Li-Ion batteries and development of intelligent systems for managing hybrid energy production and storage systems (with special relevance in photovoltaic energy);

d) Excellent programming skills and knowledge in bio-inspired algorithms and others;

e) The candidate must be self-disciplined and motivated, able to work in close collaboration with a multidisciplinary and international team. Prior research experience is valued;

f) Have solid knowledge of English (spoken and written).

4. Workplan:

1) Review of maximum power point tracking (MPPT) methods and implementation/ simulation of MPPT controllers via bio-inspired algorithms (metaheuristic); 2) Development of new MPPT methods with a flexible control structure, allowing optimal operation of the hybrid generation system; 3) Review of techniques for estimating the state of charge (SOC) and state of health (SOH) of Li-Ion batteries; 4) Modeling and estimation of the impedance spectrum in Li-Ion batteries, in the frequency domain, using the electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) technique and artificial intelligence algorithms; 5) Estimation of SOH of Li-Ion batteries based on electrochemical impedance data; 6) Study of the variation of Li-Ion battery parameters with aging under dynamic operating conditions; 7) Intelligent model for managing the hybrid generation system, considering technical and economic factors; 8) Discussion and expected publication of results through the writing of scientific articles.

5. Applicable legislation and regulations:

Research Fellowship Holder Statute, approved by Law No. 40/2004, of 18 August, in its current wording (amended by Decree-Law No. 123/2019, of 28 August); Regulation for Research Studentships and Fellowships of the Foundation for Science and Technology (Regulation No. 950/2019) published in the Diário da República, 2nd series, No. 241, 16 December 2019; Regulation for Research Fellowships of the University of Beira Interior - RBIUBI (Regulation No. 100/2020) published in the Diário da República, 2nd series, n.º 27 February 2020.

6. Place of work:

The work will be developed at the Power Systems, Lab, University of Beira Interior, Calcada Fonte do Lameiro, 6201-001 Covilhã, the workplan will be conducted under the scientific guidance of Doctor Maria do Rosário Alves Calado, Researcher of the mentioned lab (**@ubi.pt).

7. Fellowship duration and conditions: The fellowship is open for 12 months, starting on May 2024. The activity is in regime of exclusive dedication in accordance with the RBIUBI.

8. Research Grant Benefits:

A monthly maintenance allowance will be granted in accordance with the Annex I of the RBIUBI, with the amount of 1259,64 € according to the updated values that can be consulted at https://www.fct.pt/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Tabela-de-Valores-SMM_atualizacao-2024.pdf. The fellowship holder will have personal accident insurance and can choose to be covered by the voluntary social insurance. These values will be added to the amount of monthly maintenance allowance.

9. Selection Criteria:

In a first stage, the evaluation of the scientific and curricular merits will be made on the basis of the following parameters, in a scale of 0 to 20:

A - Evaluation of academic experience (30%);

B - Experience in the scientific area of electric power systems (optimization algorithms, applied artificial intelligence and mathematical modeling of PV systems and Li-Ion batteries) (20%);

C - Research experience (20%);

D - Existence of publications / communications in the area (30%).

The second evaluation stage will consist of an interview to assess the profile of the candidate researcher, in which aspects such as specific knowledge and experience in the area, motivation, availability, commitment, among others, will be taken into account.

The candidates will be ordered according to their final classification, which is calculated by averaging the classification obtained in the 1st stage (weight of 70%) and the classification obtained in the interview (weight of 30%) and is also expressed in a scale from 0 to 20 values.

In the event of a candidate’s refusal, at the admission stage or after the recruitment, the selection panel reserves the right to call the next best-ranked candidate (and so on) until the scholarship is attributed, in accordance with the selection criteria.

10. Selection Panel (Composition):

Applications will be assessed by a jury President of the Jury:Sílvio José Pinto Simões Mariano, Full Professor, UBI.

Jury Members: Doctor Maria do Rosário Alves Calado, Associate Professor (with Habilitation), UBI, and Doctor José Álvaro Nunes Pombo, Auxiliary Professor, UBI.

Substitute Jury Member: Doctor António Eduardo Vitória do Espirito Santo, Auxiliary Professor, UBI.

11. Documents for application:

The candidates should present:

1. Motivation letter;
2. Detailed Curriculum Vitae;
3. Certificate of completion of the previous degree, or, alternatively, declaration of honor from the candidate that he/she has obtained the Master’s degree until the end of the contractualization;
4. Other documents considered relevant;
5. Registration of recognition of academic degrees awarded by foreign higher education institutions and record of the conversion of the respective final classification to the Portuguese classification scale, or, alternatively, declaration of honor of the candidate in how he obtained the recognition of the foreign degree equivalent to that of master until the end of contractualization;
6. Declaration of honor from the candidate stating that he/she meets the conditions for being awarded the research fellowship according to Article 6º of the RBIUBI.

12. Deadline and receipt of applications: The submission period is open from the 8th May 2024 until 23:59 on 22th May 2024 applications should be addressed to Professor Doctor Sílvio José Pinto Simões Mariano, researcher in charge, to the e-mail **@ubi.pt .

13.Publication/notification of results: The final results of the evaluation process will be published in a sorted list, by the final classification obtained, and posted in a visible and public place of the Faculty of Engineering of the University of Beira Interior. The candidate(s) will be notified of the decision by e-mail.

14. Complaint and Appeal Procedures: After communication of the provisional lists of the results in the different stages of the selection process (Admission and Exclusion, Curricular Evaluation and Interview), the candidates have 10 working days to pronounce their disagreement, under the terms of article 121 and the Código do Procedimento Administrativo. If any allegations are presented, the final decision will be issued after the analysis of the statements presented during the prior hearing of interested parties. After the statutory deadline of 10 working days, the proposal for the final classification and ranking of the candidates becomes definitive.

The proposal for the final ranking of the candidates will constitute a reserve list for selection for a period of 45 days.