PhD Student in Energy Engineering – AI for Energy Decision Support

Mälardalen University (MDU) is the youngest university in Sweden. In line with our vision, to be a progressive and collaborative University where we shape a sustainable future together, we wish to make a difference.

Do you want to be involved and contribute to our development?

Together, we can create a sustainable future through knowledge and innovation. We believe that knowledge and new perspectives are best attained and reached together in collaboration with others – our colleagues, students, the private and public sectors, both nationally and internationally.

At the school of Business, Society and Engineering, our students study for, among other things, university and civil engineers, political scientists and economists. With us, the research focuses are industrial economics and organization and the energy of the future. Our work takes place in collaboration and in strategic agreements with companies, organizations and authorities in the region.

Employment: Temporary employment
Period of employment/Start date:By agreement
Scope: Full time
Number of positions:1
Closing date for application: 15th november 2025
Campus location: Västerås
School: School of Business, Society and Engineering, (EST)
Third-cycle subject:Energy Engineering

Admission to third-cycle (doctoral) education is regulated in MDU’s admission regulations, which compile national and local rules for eligibility and admission to doctoral studies at Mälardalen University. More information about third-cycle studies at MDU.

The doctoral position includes full-time employment as a doctoral student for the duration of the education, which corresponds to four years.

The position involves research and doctoral education within the interdisciplinary field of energy technology and computer science, connected to MDU’s existing research areas. The PhD project focuses on the development of a large language model (LLM)-based AI agent specialized in energy decision-making, including:

• development of AI models and methods for energy systems

• integration of the AI agent with energy system models

• methods for transparency, explainability, and uncertainty handling

• applications in case studies related to electrification and sustainable transition

The position may also include teaching and departmental duties, such as exercises, laboratory supervision, or project supervision, corresponding to a maximum of 20% of full-time work.

To be admitted to third-cycle studies, the applicant must meet both the general and specific entry requirements of the subject and be deemed to have the capacity to benefit from the education.

General entry requirements for third-cycle education (according to Chapter 7, Section 39 HF) are met by those who have:

• completed a second-cycle (Master´s level) degree,
• completed course requirements of at least 240 higher education credits, of wich at least at second-cycle level, or 
• acquired substantially equivalent knowledge in some other way in Sweden or abroad.   

Specific entry requirements

Applicants should hold a Master of Science or equivalent degree in Energy Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Engineering Physics, Energy Systems, or a closely related field.

The applicant must have good written and spoken English skills in order to conduct research and teaching. Good knowledge of Swedish is considered a merit.

Among applicants who meet both the general and specific entry requirements, selection shall be based on their ability to benefit from the education (Chapter 7, Section 41 HF).

In addition, selection will be made based on the following assessment criteria: 

• Knowledge in energy technology, large language models (LLMs), deep learning, and Python programming.

• Meritorious qualifications include knowledge in power engineering, power electronics, power system analysis, as well as experience in modelling, simulation, or experimental work.

• Ability to work independently, in a structured and goal-oriented manner, both individually and in collaboration with others.

• Ability to cooperate effectively with colleagues, students, and external partners, and to contribute to a positive work environment.

• Motivation and commitment to complete doctoral education, including both research-related tasks and teaching or supervision duties.

• Strong oral and written communication skills.

In an overall assessment of suitability, emphasis is also placed on personal abilities. All employees at MDU are expected to cooperate and treat colleagues and students with respect, take responsibility for the organisation and their own work duties and contribute to a positive work environment.

We value the qualities that an even distribution of age and gender, as well as ethnic and cultural diversity, can contribute to the organization.

The application is to be completed online. Please submit your application by clicking on the "Apply" button below.

The applicant is responsible for ensuring that the application is complete in accordance with the advertisement and will reach the university no later than closing date for application. The application should include the required documents to confirm eligibility and provide grounds for merit assessment. Degree certificates and/or transcripts must always be included and must be officially issued by the degree-awarding institution.

Documents may be submitted in Swedish or English. Supporting documents in other languages must be translated into Swedish or English by an authorized translator. Copies of the original documents in the original language must also be included.

If the admitted candidate requires a residence permit to stay in Sweden and pursue their studies, and if the studies require physical presence at Mälardalen University, the university reserves the right to withdraw the admission decision if a valid residence permit cannot be presented by the start date of the studies.

We look forward to receiving your application!

Union representatives:

Saco-S saco-s@mdu.se
Susanne Meijer ST-OFR/S, tel: +46 21-10 14 89

We decline all contact with recruiters and salespersons of advertisements. We have made our strategic choices for this recruitment.

https://web103.reachmee.com/ext/I018/1151/main?site=8&validator=2efd9e54ee423d53334ac7960e3b4e03〈UK&rmpage=job&rmjob=3452&rmlang=UK