Job description
Eindhoven University of Technology has a vacancy for: PhD student for highly accurate power amplifiers for high precision motion control, in the Electromechanics and Power Electronics (EPE) group, Department of Electrical Engineering.
The Department of Electrical Engineering is one of the nine departments of the Eindhoven University of Technology (TU/e) and provides BSc and MSc programs in Electrical Engineering. The department has nine research groups and has research collaborations with other departments at the Eindhoven University of Technology as well as with a large number of other universities and companies, both within The Netherlands and internationally. The department has approximately 300 employees and 600 students.
The EPE group has a track record of research in the fields of electromechanics and power electronics in close cooperation with industry. The PhD student will participate in an industrial research program and will collaborate intensively with the other members of the EPE group (around 40 researchers). The aim of his/her PhD research project is to research future proof amplifiers that are characterized by highly linear behaviour. Research within the EPE Group is characterized by personal supervision.
Research challenge
The accuracy of power amplifiers is highly important in many high-precision applications. In for example the semiconductor lithography industry, the bandwidth and power output requirements are estimated to increase drastically over the coming years. To reach these goals, adhering to strict accuracy requirements as well, it is essential to consider both power electronic topologies and their control simultaneously. Both a higher power level and bandwidth can be obtained by using more complex power electronics configurations, such as multilevel and/or multicell topologies. Using multiple output levels not only results in reduced output filtering requirements and therefore a higher bandwidth, but also increases the output current accuracy, while the cascading or paralleling of cells yields a larger output power. Multilevel/-cell converters contain many switches and internal states, making them MIMO systems. Control approaches that are suited for controlling these states by simultaneously driving multiple gates are a therefore a necessary component of such power converters. For example Model Predictive Control can be used, which is able to deal with multiple inputs and outputs while taking into account the constraints of the converter, improving the dynamic response of the converter.
“Next generation ultrahigh precision power amplifiers”
In order to realise an amplifier with a high bandwidth and high output power, (new) multicell and multilevel topologies are likely required. Currently, research into these types of converters is focussed on distribution grid-type properties, such as a total harmonic distortion of a few percent, while for this application a much higher accuracy is needed. This research will focus much more on innovative use of comparable topologies for high precision applications. Furthermore, a simple transfer function of the closed loop controlled amplifier system is required for feedforward of amplifier dynamics. Therefore it is important to research topologies that offer a high degree of linearity. Combining a high performance multilevel or multicell topology with the necessary control, an amplifier system can be realised that exhibits very predictable behaviour, and has a simplified transfer function when observed from the motion control perspective.
Job requirements
For this project, a candidate with an MSc degree in Electrical Engineering, Physics or Mathematics will be considered and hired as doctoral student in the Electromechanics and Power Electronics Group (https://www.tue.nl/epe) for a period of four years. The candidate should have excellent knowledge and background in power electronics and control, affiliation with high-tech applications and a strong mathematical background. Solid practical skills are a big plus. Your CV must include a complete list of the marks obtained during your whole university career.
Conditions of employment

  • a challenging job in a dynamic and ambitious university and a stimulating internationally renowned research environment;
  • full-time temporary appointment for 4 years;
  • gross salary between € 2.191,00 and € 2.801,00;
  • an extensive package of fringe benefits (e.g. excellent technical infrastructure, the possibility of child care and excellent sports facilities);

Information and application
Information


Application

If interested, please use the 'apply now'-button at the top of this page. You should upload the following: a detailed curriculum vitae, a letter of motivation and portfolio with relevant work. Please keep in mind; you can upload only 5 documents up to 2 MB each.

  • a cover letter explaining your motivation and suitability for the position;
  • a detailed Curriculum Vitae (including a list of publications and key achievements in research project(s));
  • contact information of two references;
  • copies of diplomas with course grades;