Employer: VAWT-X Energy Pty Ltd
Location: Adelaide, South Australia
Program: PhD – Industry Research Collaboration
Institution: Flinders University, College of Science & Engineering – Advanced Wind Energy Technology Group (AWET)
Field: Renewable Energy / Wind Energy Systems / Electrical Engineering / Digital Twins
PhD Focus: Maximizing Power through Innovation in Wind Turbine Electrical & Control Systems
Position Overview
VAWT-X Energy Pty Ltd, in collaboration with Flinders University, is seeking a highly motivated and qualified engineer with early-career industry research experience and a background in Electrical Engineering, Electronics, Control Engineering, or Mechatronics.
This role focuses on the electrical and control subsystems of wind turbines, including generators, inverters, load controllers, and Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS).
The selected candidate will work with the Advanced Wind Energy Technology Group to develop high-fidelity digital twin models to support energy harvesting optimization and advanced control design.
This is a fully funded PhD opportunity based in Adelaide, designed to bridge academic research with real-world industry application.
Key Responsibilities
- Conduct advanced research on:
- Wind turbine generators (e.g., PMG, DFIG)
- Inverter-load controllers and power electronic systems
- Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) integration and management
- Model and simulate electrical and control systems using tools such as Python, MATLAB/Simulink, and PSCAD
- Develop digital twin models for real-time system optimization
- Design and implement control algorithms for dynamic energy conditions
- Collaborate with both academic and industry partners
- Support lab-scale and field-testing activities
- Publish research findings and contribute to reporting and technical documentation
- Participate in on-site activities: installation, commissioning, and testing of wind turbine subsystems
Essential Qualifications & Skills
- Master’s degree (or equivalent) in Electrical Engineering, Electronics, Control Engineering, Mechatronics, or a related field
- Strong knowledge of:
- Electrical machines and power electronics
- Control systems and signal processing
- Energy systems modelling and simulation
- Interest in digital twin development and energy optimization
- Excellent problem-solving and teamwork skills
- Capacity for independent research and collaboration
- Strong written and verbal communication
Desirable Skills
- Experience with wind turbine systems or renewable energy
- Familiarity with industrial communication protocols (e.g., Modbus)
- Knowledge of hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) testing or embedded control
- Background in electric/control optimization or hybrid control strategies
This Position Offers
- A career with an innovative start-up company
- A fully funded Australian Government-supported PhD scholarship
(Open to domestic and international candidates) - Joint academic and industry supervision by Flinders University’s College of Science and Engineering
- Access to unique lab and field-deployed wind turbine facilities
- Support for publication and professional development
Application Deadline: 30 June 2025
Start Date: 28 July 2025
To Apply:
Send your CV, academic transcripts, and a brief application letter including your research interests to:
📧 gary.andrews@vawt-x.com.au
Contact Information
VAWT-X Energy Pty Ltd
Level 4, 22 Grenfell Street, Adelaide 5000, South Australia
📞 +61 478 540 599
📧 gary.andrews@vawt-x.com.au
ABN: 806 292 758 14 / ACN: 629 275 814
“Lowering the cost of utilizing wind energy solutions”