Two PhD scholarships in Privacy-Preserving Data Sharing for Future Energy Systems - DTU Wind

Do you want to help build the digital backbone of the green energy transition, while protecting data security and privacy? We invite you to apply for one of the two fully funded, 3-year PhD positions on privacy-preserving data sharing for future energy systems.

Why this PhD at DTU?

• Real impact: Work in close collaboration with leading Danish partners (Energinet, Enfor, Green Power Denmark, NeoGrid, and Watts) on problems that matter today, as part of the EUDP-funded “Data Unlocked” project. 
• Great environment: Join DTU Wind and Energy Systems, a world-leading research hub near Copenhagen, and become part of the Energy Markets & Analytics (EMA) Section (link), a vibrant, international group of 13 researchers from 8 countries, with expertise across energy systems and markets, optimization, control, game theory, and machine learning.
• Interdisciplinary by design: Work at the intersection of energy systems and markets, privacy and cybersecurity, forecasting, optimization, control, game theory, and machine learning; ideal if you love crossing boundaries and the freedom to shape your research focus.
• Build a standout profile: Publish and present your work in leading journals and conferences, take a 4-6 month external research stay, and grow a network across academia, system operators, and industry.

Context and motivation
The green energy transition is increasingly digital: it relies on turning high-quality (smart meter, grid, or weather) data into actionable insights and better-informed decisions through advanced data analytics. When this energy data is shared, it can be exploited by:

• Aggregators and consumers: to optimize consumption patterns, accurately size demand-side flexibility, and provide local grid services.
• Forecast providers: to enhance the accuracy of local congestion and imbalance forecasting.
• Grid operators: to accurately dimension reserve needs, coordinate the operation of multi-carrier and cross-border energy grids, and efficiently activate flexibility services.

These advances can deliver system-wide benefits, including lower operation and reserve-procurement costs, higher reliability and security of supply, more efficient markets, consumer savings, and faster renewable integration, and reduced emissions. 

Yet, privacy and security concerns often hinder data sharing and limit effective coordination among stakeholders.

• What you will work on
• Your research will tackle this challenge by developing privacy-preserving data sharing and analytics tools, with a focus on “differential privacy”.

A core theme will be to balance privacy and utility: ensuring that shared data remains valuable for specific decision-making tasks while safeguarding sensitive information and building trust among stakeholders.

Each PhD project can approach privacy-preserving data sharing from different angles, depending on the candidate’s strengths and interests, following one or more tracks:

• Privacy-preserving mechanism: quantify privacy risks and develop privacy protection techniques so that grid operators can safely share data while maximizing utility–privacy trade-offs.
• Decision-support pipeline: fuse predictive and prescriptive analytics, so that forecast providers and aggregators can maximize the value extracted from privacy-preserving raw data.
• Data economics and incentives design: quantify the value of high-quality data and the cost of privacy for specific applications, and incentivize stakeholders to share secure, high-quality data.

Your profile
We are looking for highly motivated and committed candidates from varied backgrounds who are eager to contribute to cutting-edge and interdisciplinary research. Successful applicants will ideally have:

• A relevant MSc degree in computer science, data sciences, applied mathematics, statistics, operations research, control, electrical engineering, energy systems, cyber security, or related fields 
• Knowledge of privacy-preserving mechanisms, optimization, control, probability/statistics, game theory, mechanism design, or machine learning (at least one)
• Programming experience (e.g., Python, Julia)
• Strong analytical thinking and problem-solving abilities
• Interest in power and energy systems
• Excellent English communication skills and a collaborative mindset to meaningfully engage with both academic and industrial partners
• We value diversity and welcome applications from candidates of all backgrounds. Even if you do not meet every single requirement, we encourage you to apply if you are excited about the research area.
• You must have a two-year master's degree (120 ECTS points) or a similar degree with an academic level equivalent to a two-year master's degree.

Approval and Enrolment 
The scholarship for the PhD degree is subject to academic approval, and the candidate will be enrolled in one of the general degree programmes at DTU. For information about our enrolment requirements and the general planning of the PhD study programme, please see DTU's rules for the PhD education. 

Assessment
Applications will be evaluated by Assistant Professor Lesia Mitridati and Professor Jalal Kazempour.

We offer
DTU is a leading technical university globally recognized for the excellence of its research, education, innovation and scientific advice. We offer a rewarding and challenging job in an international environment. We strive for academic excellence in an environment characterized by collegial respect and academic freedom tempered by responsibility.

Salary and appointment terms
The appointment will be based on the collective agreement with the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations. The allowance will be agreed upon with the relevant union. The period of employment is 3 years.

The PhD projects are expected to start in 2026, preferably on 1 February and no later than 1 August.  The exact start date will be agreed upon based on your availability and preference. This is a full-time position. 

You can read more about career paths at DTU here.

• Further information
• Further information may be obtained from Assistant Professor Lesia Mitridati (lemitri@dtu.dk), and Professor Jalal Kazempour (jalal@dtu.dk).

You can read more about DTU Wind and Energy Systems Department at https://wind.dtu.dk.

If you are applying from abroad, you may find useful information on working in Denmark and at DTU at DTU – Moving to Denmark. Furthermore, you have the option of joining our monthly free seminar “PhD relocation to Denmark and startup “Zoom” seminar” for all questions regarding the practical matters of moving to Denmark and working as a PhD at DTU. 

• Application procedure 
• Your complete online application must be submitted no later than 30 October 2025 (23:59 Danish time). 

Applications must be submitted as one PDF file containing all materials to be given consideration. To apply, please open the link "Apply now", fill out the online application form, and attach all your materials in English in one PDF file. The file must include:

• A letter motivating the application (cover letter) describing your interest and fit for the position
• Curriculum vitae 
• Grade transcripts and BSc/MSc diploma (in English) including official description of grading scale
• Information of two references (name, affiliation, position, and email address)

You may apply prior to ob­tai­ning your master's degree but cannot begin before having received it.

Applications received after the deadline will not be considered.

All interested candidates irrespective of age, gender, disability, race, religion or ethnic background are encouraged to apply. As DTU works with research in critical technology, which is subject to special rules for security and export control, open-source background checks may be conducted on qualified candidates for the position.

The Department of Wind and Energy Systems is one of the world’s largest centers of wind energy and energy systems research and knowledge, with a staff of more than 400 people from 37 countries working in research, innovation, research-based consulting and education. DTU Wind and Energy Systems has approximately 90 PhD students. The department’s cross-disciplinary research is organized through strategic research programmes that collaborate with Danish and international universities, research institutions and organizations, as well as the wind industry.

Technology for people
DTU develops technology for people. With our international elite research and study programmes, we are helping to create a better world and to solve the global challenges formulated in the UN’s 17 Sustainable Development Goals. Hans Christian Ørsted founded DTU in 1829 with a clear mission to develop and create value using science and engineering to benefit society. That mission lives on today. DTU has 13,500 students and 6,000 employees. We work in an international atmosphere and have an inclusive, evolving, and informal working environment. DTU has campuses in all parts of Denmark and in Greenland, and we collaborate with the best universities around the world.