Job Information
- Organisation/Company: University of Mons
- Department: Electrical Power Engineering Unit (EPEU)
- Research Field: Engineering » Electrical engineering
- Researcher Profile: First Stage Researcher (R1)
- Positions: PhD Positions
- Application Deadline: 30 Sep 2026 - 23:00 (Europe/Brussels)
- Country: Belgium
- Type of Contract: Temporary
- Job Status: Full-time
- Hours Per Week: 38
- Offer Starting Date: 1 Jan 2027
- Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme?: Horizon Europe - MSCA
Offer Description
BESCAPE ("Advanced Wide Bandgap-based Power Processing and Management for Future Space Exploration") is a Horizon Europe MSCA Doctoral Network Joint Doctorate (DN-JD) initiative developed in collaboration with the European Space Agency (ESA) and leading European space companies.
The project addresses emerging challenges in power conversion, advanced control, and power distribution systems for future human space exploration missions.
BESCAPE brings together a highly international consortium comprising 11 Doctoral Candidates (DCs) distributed across leading European universities and research institutions. The academic beneficiaries include Universidad Politécnica de Madrid (UPM, Spain), Universiteit Twente (UT, The Netherlands), Universidad de Oviedo (UNIOVI, Spain), KU Leuven (KU Leuven, Belgium), Université de Mons (UMONS, Belgium), Ghent University (UGent, Belgium), Università degli Studi di Padova (UNIPD, Italy), and Universidad Miguel Hernández de Elche (UMH, Spain). These academic partners collaborate closely with space-sector stakeholders, including the European Space Agency (ESA, The Netherlands), Leonardo S.p.A. (Leonardo, Italy), IMEC (Belgium), Thales Alenia Space Belgium (TAS-B, Belgium), OHB System AG (OHB, Germany), and CRISA-AIRBUS (Spain), creating a unique research and training environment that combines academic excellence with industrial and space-sector expertise.
The University of Mons (UMONS) offers 1 fully funded PhD position "Innovative Contactless Power Transmission system to transfer energy from spinning solar arrays to satellite platforms in space" (DC8) within this international research network, providing the opportunity to work closely with leading academic experts and industrial partners (Thales) while contributing to technologies for future space missions.
Host institution: University of Mons (UMONS)
Supervisors from University of Mons (UMONS, Belgium)
Joint degree partner: Universidad Politecnica de Madrid (UPM, Spain)
Industrial mentor: Thales Alenia Space Belgium - TAS-B (Belgium)
Objective: This research line focuses on designing and implementing a high-frequency Contactless Power Transfer (CPT) based drive system utilising a multi-turn rotating transformer to transfer energy from solar arrays to the power conditioning unit of a satellite platform. The selected candidate will: 1) Develop electrical, magnetic, and thermal models for the optimal design of the CPT-based solar array drive system; 2) Explore advanced control techniques to enhance operational functionalities; and 3) Build and validate a proof-of-concept prototype.
Secondments:
TAS-B (during 3 months): Receiving training on power unit design requirements for satellite applications and defining the key specifications of the CPT unit.
UPM (during 6 Months): Receiving advanced training on Finite Element Analysis modelling and advanced multi-winding structures for CPT, and undertaking the required PhD courses at UPM for the Joint Degree.
Where to apply
E-mail: apply-bescape@umons.ac.be
Requirements
- Research Field: Engineering
- Education Level: Master Degree or equivalent
- Skills/Qualifications: We are looking for highly motivated candidates holding a Master's degree in Electrical Engineering, Electronic Engineering, Mechatronics, or related disciplines. Experience in power electronics, modelling and control of power converters, electromagnetics, simulation and programming tools (e.g., MATLAB, Simulink, Comsol, Python), or related research areas will be considered an advantage. Strong analytical skills, a research-oriented mindset, and excellent communication skills in English are highly valued.
- Specific Requirements:
- MSCA Eligibility Criteria
- Candidates must not have resided or carried out their main activity in Belgium for more than 12 months during the 36 months immediately prior to recruitment.
- Candidates must not already possess a doctoral degree.
- Candidates must meet admission requirements for the PhD programs at UMONS and UPM.
- Nationality: Open to candidates of any nationality from around the world.
- Languages: ENGLISH
- Level: Excellent
- Research Field: Engineering » Electrical engineering
- Years of Research Experience: 1 - 4
Additional Information
Benefits
Double / Joint PhD Degree: Successful candidate will obtain a joint doctoral degree awarded by UMONS and UPM
International training programme: Joining BESCAPE offers a unique opportunity to develop a PhD within an international network involving leading universities, ESA, and major European space companies.
Candidates will benefit from:
- International secondments at ESA and leading European institutions.
- Participation in specialized BESCAPE Summer Schools and training events.
- Collaboration with internationally recognized researchers and industry experts.
- Competitive MSCA funding package including Living, Mobility, and Family Allowances (where applicable).
- Full employment contract and social security coverage under Belgium legislation
Salary & Financial Conditions: The position is funded by the Horizon Europe MSCA Doctoral Networks programme through the BESCAPE project (Grant Agreement No. 101312786). Selected candidate will be offered a competitive salary composed of a Living Allowance (adjusted by the country correction coefficient), a Mobility Allowance, and, if applicable, a Family Allowance.
Eligibility criteria
Recruitment will be conducted in accordance with the principles of the Open, Transparent and Merit-Based Recruitment (OTM-R) policy of the European Commission, ensuring equal opportunities, fairness, transparency, and selection based solely on candidates’ qualifications, skills, and merits. The selection process will ensure equal opportunities and non-discrimination and will be based exclusively on the candidates' qualifications, skills, experience and potential.
Experience will be valued in:
- Knowledge and experience in power electronics (15%)
- Design and optimization of power supplies (10%)
- Modelling, design and optimization of high frequency magnetic components (25%)
- Modelling and control of power converters (10%)
- Skilled in modelling, simulation and programming (e.g. MATLAB, Python, Comsol, FEA tools, etc.) (20%)
- Sufficient training and experience for the optimal performance of the described tasks. (10%)
- Good communication skills; critical and creative mindset, able to formulate your own research questions; excellent proficiency in English (speaking, listening and writing) (10%)
Required documents:
Candidates must submit their application by email to apply-bescape@umons.ac.be before the deadline. The following documentation must be attached:
- Detailed Curriculum Vitae (CV) in Europass format.
- Academic certificates and lists of exams with grades achieved (BSc and MSc).
- Copy of a valid ID (i.e. European identity card or Passport).
- Contact details of two academic referees.
All documentation must be provided in English, or accompagnied by an English translation. Further documentation might be required as part of the selection process.
Selection process
The initial phase involves reviewing candidates' eligibility and evaluating their qualifications, skills and experience. The top candidates will be shortlisted and invited to an online interview.
The successful candidate will be selected based on the best combination of their qualifications, experience, skills and the qualities demonstrated during the interview. If, for any reason, the selected candidate declines the offer or fails to meet the enrolment requirements for the position, the offer will be extented to the next candidate on the ranking list.
Additional comments
This position is funded by the Horizon Europe Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions Doctoral Networks programme through the BESCAPE project (Grant Agreement No. 101312786). Candidates must comply with all Horizon Europe and MSCA eligibility requirements.
Work Location(s)
- Number of offers available: 1
- Company/Institute: Electrical Power Engineering Unit (EPEU)
- Country: Belgium
- City: Mons
- Postal Code: 7000
- Street: Boulevard Dolez, 31
Contact
- City: Mons
- Website: http://www.epeu-umons.be
- Street: Boulevard Dolez, 31
- Postal Code: 7000
- E-Mail: apply-bescape@umons.ac.be
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