Title: Control methods for reliable sensing information in interconnected energy systems
Duration of study: Full Time four-years fixed term
Starting date: as soon as possible
Application deadline: 2nd February 2023 (or until filled)
Supervisor: Dr Francesca Boem
Description:
The aim of the project is to design novel methods to detect and identify anomalies (sensor faults, communication issues and cyber-attacks) in the sensing information for the control of interconnected energy systems. The research involves providing answers to a key open research question: How to safely and efficiently control emerging energy systems applications based on the IoT (such as Smart Homes and microgrids), where it is challenging to guarantee the reliability of the sensing information? Existing methods are not suitable for this novel interconnected and complex scenario. The developed techniques may be adopted by systems operators and ICT companies for energy systems, protecting operators and users and enabling the introduction of novel technologies for efficient and green energy systems, thus bringing a huge benefit to the society in terms of safety, resilience and sustainability.
The successful candidate will have an opportunity to develop expertise in an exciting interdisciplinary research field at the intersection of Control Engineering, Sensors, Cyber-physical security and Power and Energy systems. The student will have the opportunity to learn techniques from multiple disciplines to model distributed and network dynamical systems, and to design, develop, test and compare control and anomaly detection and localisation algorithms in simulation and on testbeds. The PhD student will investigate the opportunity to integrate automatic control techniques with statistical and machine learning tools, exploiting the network structure of the systems.
The student will work under the supervision of Dr Francesca Boem within the Department of Electronic and Electrical Engineering, University College London and will join and collaborate with an interdisciplinary team of PhD students and postdoctoral researchers. The student will also collaborate with the supervisor’s research and industrial partners in the energy sector, both in the UK and internationally.
The successful candidate is expected to publish and present the outcome of the project in top journals and conferences of the field and attend at least national or international conferences every year.
Person specification:
The candidate should pass the entry requirements of PhD programme at UCL EEE: Electronic and Electrical Engineering MPhil/PhD | Prospective Students
In addition:
- Applicants must hold, or be near completion of a first or upper-second class degree in Systems and Control, Electrical/Mechanical Engineering, Computer Science, Robotics, Applied Mathematics, or a related subject, with theoretical background and interest in Control Engineering / Automatic Control and Systems Theory.
- A strong background in modelling and analysis of dynamical systems is expected.
- Solid programming competence are required (knowledge and experience with software languages, such as Matlab/Simulink or Python).
- Fluency in English is also required.
- The ideal candidate will show understanding of machine learning, optimisation and energy systems applications.
The candidate is expected to:
- Have excellent analytical and engineering skills
- Have excellent reporting and communication skills
- Be motivated, independent and team player
- Have genuine enthusiasm for the subject and technology
- Show a strong interest to engage in innovative high-profile research
- Have the willingness to author and publish research findings in international high-profile journals
- Be eligible: EPSRC Doctoral Training at UCL - Prospective Students
How to apply: Please send the following to Dr Francesca Boem via email ([Email Address Removed]). Use the subject line “Application for PhD on Control for reliable sensing information - [your full name]”.
- CV
- transcripts (both Undergraduate and postgraduate),
- a short (up to one page) cover letter explaining why you think you are a suitable candidate for this post,
- names and email addresses of two referees.
Informal enquiries should be addressed to Dr Francesca Boem ([Email Address Removed]).
What is covered by this studentship?
A stipend (currently £19,668 pa- 2022/2023) and fees at the home rate (currently £5,690 pa) for a period of 4 years. This studentship also covers the cost of consumables and travel expenses to attend conferences during the same period.
Although the fees are only covered at home rate (and not international rate), the overseas candidates are still welcome to apply. However, they would need to fund the difference between home and overseas fees themselves (e.g. through another award or self-funding) and specify this in their application.
* Due to large number of applications expected to receive, we will not respond to any application that misses the above information.
More details about the stipend and fees can be found here: https://www.ucl.ac.uk/research-innovation-services/award-services/resear...
Further information regarding UCL may be found at www.ucl.ac.uk Information about the departments may be found at: www.ucl.ac.uk/eee
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