Laboratory Technician IEPG Group (Delft, NL, 2628 CD)

Join the IEPG group and help build the next generation power system research infrastructure by integrating real-world grid hardware with advanced real-time simulation and digital substation technology.

Job description

UTOPYS (Understanding Large, Complex Power Systems) is a ten-year programme to build a new theory of large, complex power systems, enabled by the a state-of-the-art real-time power system simulator. As Laboratory Technician, you will help build, operate, and maintain this large-scale real-time simulation environment and its laboratory in.

The technician will contribute to the deployment and operation of a large-scale real-time simulation environment for future power systems, supporting researchers in developing, validating, and operating simulation models and associated laboratory infrastructure.

Key Responsibilities:

•  UTOPYS Research Infrastructure

Support the installation, operation, maintenance, and expansion of the UTOPYS simulation platform and associated laboratory infrastructure.

•  Power System Models and Simulation

Support researchers in configuring, validating, and operating real-time power system simulations and experimental environments.

•  Substation and Grid Technologies

Contribute practical expertise on power system operation, substation equipment (relays, IEDs, merging units), protection schemes, and grid automation to support realistic modelling and experimental validation.

•  Simulation Platform Integration

Build and configure hardware-in-the-loop setups, connecting simulators to physical equipment through I/O interfaces, cables, communication networks, measurement systems, and other related software and hardware components.

•  Technical Support for Research Teams

Assist researchers, PhD candidates, students, and industrial partners in preparing and operating experimental setups and simulation studies.

•  Laboratory Operations and Safety

Ensure safe operation of laboratory facilities and compliance with laboratory procedures.

You will become a member of the ESP Lab team, headed by Lab Manager Sandra Dordevic. The ESP Lab team is responsible for the operation, maintenance, and development of the department’s research infrastructure and experimental facilities supporting research and education activities. Your work will primarily focus on supporting the Intelligent Electrical Power Grids (IEPG) section, headed by Professor Peter Palensky, with a particular emphasis on the UTOPYS programme. This position offers an excellent opportunity to work in a multidisciplinary environment together with researchers, students, utilities, manufacturers, and industrial partners, contributing to the development of future sustainable and resilient power systems.

About the Department

The Department of Electrical Sustainable Energy addresses the technical, scientific, and societal challenges of the energy transition through research in:

•  DC Systems, Energy Conversion and Storage (DCE&S)
•  Photovoltaic Materials and Devices (PVMD)
•  Intelligent Electrical Power Grids (IEPG)
•  High Voltage Technologies (HVT)

The department provides expertise across the entire electrical energy system chain, from generation and conversion to transmission, distribution, and end-use applications. The department operates the Electrical Sustainable Power (ESP) Lab, one of Europe's largest academic power systems laboratories. The ESP Lab hosts advanced facilities for high-voltage testing, DC grids research, power electronics, protection and control, digital substations, and real-time power system simulation, supporting research and education in future energy systems. The Intelligent Electrical Power Grids (IEPG) section conducts research on the operation, control, digitalisation, and resilience of future power systems, with a strong focus on real-time simulation, digital twins, cyber-physical energy systems, protection and control, and grid automation. UTOPYS is one of its initiatives, providing a unique large-scale platform for power system simulation and experimentation. 

Job requirements

• MBO/HBO degree in Electrical Engineering, Energy Technology, Power Systems, or a related field.
• Practical experience with electrical power systems, substations, or transmission and distribution networks.
• Understanding of power system protection, control, and automation principles.
• Experience with power system simulation platforms, SCADA systems, RTDS, OPAL-RT, or similar technologies is an advantage.
• Familiarity with communication protocols and digital substation concepts (e.g. IEC 61850) is desirable.
• Hands-on, analytical, and solution-oriented, with strong troubleshooting skills.
• Comfortable working in a multidisciplinary research environment with researchers, students, and industrial partners.
• Good communication skills in English, both written and spoken.

Conditions of employment 

• Duration of contract is 5 years. Temporary 2.2A.
• A job of 38-40 hours per week. 
• A salary based on Scale 10 of the CAO for Dutch Universities with a salary between €3706 - €5760 gross per month based on a fulltime contract (38 hours), plus 8% holiday allowance and an end-of-year bonus of 8.3%.  
• An excellent pension scheme via the ABP. 
• The possibility to compile an individual employment package every year. 
• Discount with health insurers on supplemental packages. 
• Flexible working week. 
• Every year, 232 leave hours (at 38 hours). You can also sell or buy additional leave hours via the individual choice budget. 
• Plenty of opportunities for education, training and courses. 
• Partially paid parental leave 
• Attention for working healthy and energetically with the vitality program. 

Additional information
If you would like more information about this vacancy or the selection procedure, please contact Prof. Peter Palensky, via [email protected].

Application procedure
Are you interested in this vacancy? Please apply no later than 16 November 2026 via the application button and upload the following documents:

• CV
• Motivational letter

You can address your application to Prof. Peter Palensky.

Please note:

• You can apply online. We will not process applications sent by email and/or post. 
• As part of knowledge security, TU Delft conducts a risk assessment during the recruitment of personnel. We do this, among other things, to prevent the unwanted transfer of sensitive knowledge and technology. The assessment is based on information provided by the candidates themselves, such as their motivation letter and CV, and takes place at the final stages of the selection process. When the outcome of the assessment is negative, the candidate will be informed. The processing of personal data in the context of the risk assessment is carried out on the legal basis of the GDPR: performing a public task in the public interest. You can find more information about this assessment on our website about knowledge security.
• Please do not contact us for unsolicited services.