The TUM ENERGISE Center is a partnership between the Technical University of Munich and four South African universities: the University of the Witwatersrand, the University of Johannesburg, Tshwane University of Technology, and the University of Venda. It promotes interdisciplinary research combining engineering, entrepreneurship, and policy to advance a just energy transition in
South Africa. The Center is funded by the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD), the German Federal Foreign Office (Line A), and the Federal Ministry of Research, Technology and Space (Line B).
This call invites highly qualified and motivated candidates from South Africa to apply for the doctoral scholarship in “Dynamic Modeling and Stability of South African Transmission Networks”. The doctoral research will address the stability, control, and congestion challenges arising from the large-scale integration of inverter-based resources into South Africa’s transmission network. Core topics include the development of representative open-source dynamic transmission network model, grid-supporting and grid-forming inverter controls and ancillary services, real-time stability margin estimation in weak grids, identification of congestion bottlenecks and cost-effective reinforcement strategies, and the modernization of grid codes for high shares of non-synchronous generation. The selected doctoral scholar will be based at the Technical University of Munich and supervised by Prof. Reinaldo Tonkoski, Ph.D., Chair of Electric Power Transmission and Distribution (TUM School of Engineering and Design), and co-supervised by a professor at a South African partner university within the ENERGISE tandem model.
The ENERGISE doctoral scholarship includes a monthly stipend of EUR 1300, research mobility of EUR 2000, a stay between South Africa and Germany, and insurance support. The scholarship is awarded for 36 months, with the possibility of an extension to a maximum of 42 months upon request and satisfactory performance and is expected to start on December 1 2026.
ENERGISE doctoral scholars are expected to:
- Demonstrate a strong commitment to the work as a doctoral student.
- Participate and contribute to the activities of the TUM ENERGISE Center
- Engage in academic exchange (i.e., visit and collaborate with partner universities)
- Present research at leading international conferences and publish in leading international academic journals
Application Requirements
- Master’s degree in electrical engineering or a closely related field, with a focus on electrical
- power systems; as a rule not older than six years
- Excellent academic track record
- Solid background in power system modelling, dynamics, and stability analysis; experience with simulation tools (e.g. PowerFactory, PSS®E, PSCAD, MATLAB/Simulink) and programming skills (e.g. Python)
- Excellent command of written and spoken English
- Extracurricular skills, social engagement, and strong motivation
- South African citizen or permanent South African resident
Qualified women and individuals with disabilities are particularly encouraged to apply. Based on the applications, some candidates will be invited to a task assignment in power system modelling and stability analysis. The final candidates will be invited for an online interview with Prof. Reinaldo Tonkoski and his team. The Selection Commission of the TUM ENERGISE Center will make the final decision in line with DAAD criteria.
To apply, please upload your CV, a strong letter of motivation highlighting the fit to the TUM ENERGISE Center, a research proposal (2–3 pages), one to two letters of recommendation, and certificates, including the transcript of records, through the online form: https://forms.gle/kvTvvBb6SK94AscW8 by September 30, 2026.
Contact
If you have any questions regarding the announcement of the doctoral scholarship for “Dynamic Modeling and Stability of South African Transmission Networks”, feel free to contact the staff at the TUM Chair of Electric Power Transmission and Distribution (Email: [email protected]).
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