PhD in Integrated Design and Control of Safe and Energy-Efficient Hydraulic Systems

Jobbeskrivelse
At AAU Energy, a position as PhD stipend is available within the general study program. The stipend is open for appointment from 1/9-2026 or soon hereafter. The duration of the position is three years.

Your work tasks
This PhD project focuses on the design and control of energy-efficient hydraulic systems with integrated safety functionalities. The overall objective is to develop innovative solutions that combine low energy consumption with reliable and safe operation in compliance with relevant standards and regulatory requirements.

A key scientific challenge addressed in this project is the incorporation of essential safety functions directly into energy-efficient hydraulic system architectures. Integrating these functionalities without compromising system efficiency or dynamic performance represents a significant research gap in the field. The project therefore aims to develop novel system concepts that reconcile stringent safety requirements with the demand for reduced energy consumption.
The project involves the development and modelling of hydraulic systems, with particular emphasis on energy-efficient system architectures and appropriate component selection. A key aspect is to incorporate safety functions directly into the system design, ensuring stable and robust operation without compromising overall efficiency.

A central component of the project is the design, implementation, and experimental validation of control strategies for the developed systems. This includes the development of advanced control algorithms capable of handling varying operating conditions, ensuring system stability, and supporting embedded safety mechanisms.

Key Tasks

• Develop and model hydraulic systems with a focus on energy-efficient architectures.
• Integrate safety functions into system design in accordance with relevant standards
• Design and develop control strategies for hydraulic systems
• Implement control algorithms capable of handling dynamic and varying operating conditions in mobile hydraulic drive construction machines
• Conduct simulations and experimental testing to validate system performance
• Document and disseminate research results through scientific publications and presentations

The PhD candidate will work at the interface of modelling, system design, and control engineering, contributing to the development of the next generation of intelligent, energy-efficient hydraulic systems.

The position is offered in relation to the research group Fluid Power and the PhD Student will be positioned to the section for Mechatronics.

Your competencies
The ideal candidate for this PhD position should have a strong academic background in engineering, with competencies spanning modelling, control, and experimental work. The following skills and qualifications are particularly relevant:

• Master’s degree (or equivalent) in Electro-Mechanical System Design, or a related field
• Experience with modelling of mechanical and hydraulic systems
• Ability to develop and analyze dynamic system models using MATLAB/Simulink and Python or similar tools)
• Strong knowledge of classical and modern control theory
• Experience in designing control strategies for energy-efficient fluid power systems
• Experience with modelling and control of hydraulic displacement controlled systems and hydraulic transformers
• Hands-on experience with experimental setups and laboratory testing of electro-hydraulic systems
• Familiarity with embedded systems or real-time control implementation is an advantage
• Strong problem-solving and analytical abilities
• Ability to work independently and structure complex research tasks
• Interest in interdisciplinary research at the interface of modelling, design, and control
• Communication Skills
  • Good written and oral communication skills in English and Danish is preferred
  • Ability to document and present research results in scientific publications and conferences

These competencies will support the candidate in successfully contributing to the development, implementation, and validation of advanced, energy-efficient hydraulic systems with integrated safety features.

Qualification requirements
PhD stipends are allocated to individuals who hold a Master's degree. PhD stipends are normally for a period of 3 years. It is a prerequisite for allocation of the stipend that the candidate will be enrolled as a PhD student at the Doctoral School of Engineering and Science in accordance with the regulations of Ministerial Order No. 1124 of September 19, 2025 on the PhD Programme at the Universities and Certain Higher Artistic Educational Institutions. According to the Ministerial Order, the progress of the PhD student shall be assessed at regular points in time. As part of the PhD study, you are among other things required to complete PhD courses corresponding to 30 ECTS, gain experience with teaching or other forms of knowledge dissemination and complete an external research stay outside of Aalborg University, preferably 3-6 months at a foreign research institution.

Who we are
AAU Energy is a research department at Aalborg University dedicated to the development of clean and sustainable energy systems. Our activities cover electrical, thermal and mechatronic energy technologies, and we work closely with industrial partners and other academic environments to address real-world energy challenges.

The department is located in both Aalborg and Esbjerg, and this position is based at the Aalborg campus. AAU Energy employs around 250 staff members at different career stages and from a broad range of national backgrounds. This creates an international and interdisciplinary research environment with many opportunities for collaboration and knowledge sharing. English is widely used as the working language in research and teaching, which makes it straightforward for international colleagues to integrate.

We offer access to advanced laboratory and workshop facilities and an environment where you can develop your academic profile through research, teaching and collaboration with both Danish and international external partners. As a workplace we value a collegial and inclusive culture with room for professional discussion, initiative and mutual support in everyday work.

New colleagues, whether they come from elsewhere in Denmark or from abroad, can draw on the university’s support services related to relocation, housing and practical matters. Aalborg University offers general onboarding support to all new employees, as well as dedicated support for international staff through its International Staff Unit (ISU). You can read more about relocation support and services here: https://www.en.hr.aau.dk/relocation-support.

Aalborg University also offers Danish language courses to support international employees in settling into both the workplace and Danish society. International employees typically can attend Danish language courses during their first years in Denmark (depending on individual eligibility and national schemes).

You can read more about AAU Energy at www.energy.aau.dk.

How to apply
Your application must include the following:

• Application, stating reasons for applying and qualifications in relation to the position
• Curriculum Vitae (CV)
• Diplomas (bachelor's and master's degree diploma, including grades)
• Project description (3-5 pages), which describes the applicant’s initial thoughts and ideas related to the specific project applied for. This includes a brief state-of-the-art (including short list of references), a time schedule and how the applicant intends to shed light on the project objectives.
  All documentation should be in English and merged in a single PDF document. Please note that applications which do not follow the announcement’s guidelines will not be considered.
• Other relevant documents

The application must be submitted via Aalborg University’s recruitment system, which can be accessed under the job advertisement on Aalborg University's website.

Aalborg University wants to reflect the surrounding society and has diversity as a core value. Therefore, everyone, regardless of personal background and orientation, is encouraged to apply for the position.

Do you have any questions?
If you have any questions about the position, you are more than welcome to contact us. You will find contact persons at the bottom of the jobpost.

For professional questions, please contact Anders Hedegaard Hansen, Associate Professor, [email protected].

Selected candidates will be invited for an interview. Interviews are expected to be held during August 2026.

Further information
Read more about our recruitment process here.

The assessment of candidates for the position will be carried out by qualified experts.
Shortlisting will be applied. This means that after the application deadline, the head of the department, with the assistance of the hiring committee, will select the applicants to be assessed. All applicants will be informed whether they have been shortlisted for assessment or not.

The hiring process at Aalborg University may include a risk assessment as a tool to identify potential risks associated with new hires, ensuring the safety, compliance, and integrity of the workplace.

Read more about The Doctoral School of Engineering and Science

Salary and terms of employment
When pursuing a PhD at Aalborg University, you'll receive a stipend which includes both salary
and pension benefits. The base salary starts at a minimum of 31.242,75 DKK before taxes, with an
additional 18,07% added for pension contributions. However, the final salary can be negotiated
based on your qualifications and experience, with seniority playing a key role in determining the
main salary.
Read more about pension options here.

At Aalborg University's Doctoral School, engineering PhD students enjoy unique career
development opportunities. These include personalized DISC profile assessments with feedback,
career-focused courses, and networking events with trade unions, employers, and other relevant
parties. Learn more about these initiatives at our Career Hub.

The employment is in accordance with the Ministerial Order on the Appointment of Academic Staff at Universities (the Appointment Order) and the Ministerial Order on Job Structure for Academic Staff at Universities (in Danish).

Salary and terms of employment are in accordance with the collective agreement between the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations and the state (AC collective agreement) (in Danish)

There is a mutual probationary period of 3 months for the position.

Aalborg University - Knowledge for the world
Aalborg University is an international workplace with more than 3,700 employees. We offer real-world-oriented education and create world-class research results through collaboration between researchers, students, and public and private companies. This is how we achieve insights, new solutions to societal problems, and knowledge that changes the world. Our main campus is in Aalborg, but we also have campuses in Esbjerg and Copenhagen.

Contacts

• Anders Hedegaard Hansen: +4599403301, [email protected]
• Mikkel Lønsman Hukiær: [email protected]

Ansøgningsfrist
10-07-2026

Ref. nummer
2026/881

Afdeling
Department of Energy