PhD Position in Demand Flexibility Control in Smart Grids

Call for Applications

The Lithuanian Energy Institute, Lietuvos energetikos institutas (LEI), based in Kaunas, Lithuania, invites applications for a doctoral position in the research area of Development and Research of Demand Response Control Algorithms in Smart Grids (https://www.lei.lt ).

MSCA Doctoral Network

The research will be carried out within the CoDeF project, Consumer Demand Flexibility in Electricity Use, 2024–2028; see https://www.codef-dn.eu. The project is funded by the MSCA Doctoral Networks programme under the call HORIZON-MSCA-2023-DN-01 and by the Lithuanian state budget. As a partner in the CoDeF consortium, LEI offers the opportunity to join an international research environment focused on advancing consumer demand flexibility in electricity use.

Job Description

The project will focus on the development and investigation of Demand Response (DR) control algorithms for smart grids. It will address the modelling and simulation of power system operating modes with high levels of flexible demand acting as frequency restoration reserves to correct short-term system imbalances.

The control algorithms developed in this work will support the gradual and reliable activation and deactivation of flexible capacity, helping to prevent disturbances and reduce operational stress in the power system. The work will involve programming, algorithm development, and validation using power system simulation tools.

Recruitment and Funding

The four-year doctoral programme will start on 1 September 2026. The successful candidate will be recruited by LEI and will receive financial support through both the Lithuanian state-funded doctoral scholarship and three-year MSCA Doctoral Network fellowship funding. This provides a strong financial package throughout the study period.

The doctoral studies will include 30 ECTS credits and an internship at a CoDeF partner institution. The candidate will also benefit from international collaboration and knowledge exchange within the CoDeF consortium, supporting the development of innovative research with clear relevance to energy policy and society.

Eligibility Requirement

The candidate must not have resided or carried out their main activity, such as work or studies, in Lithuania for more than 12 months during the three years immediately prior to the start of the assignment.

Required Qualifications

Applicants must hold an MSc degree in Electrical Engineering, Applied Mathematics, Informatics, or a closely related field.

Desirable Qualifications

A strong background in mathematical optimisation, programming, and power system modelling is desirable. Research experience and publications in high-level scientific journals will be considered a competitive advantage during the evaluation of applications.

Supervision

The doctoral candidate will be supervised by Dr Virginijus Radziukynas, Senior Researcher at the Smart Grids and Renewable Energy Laboratory at LEI. His expertise in smart grid modelling, energy demand flexibility, and the integration of renewable energy sources closely matches the proposed doctoral research topic. His ORCID profile is available here: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0764-387X.

The second supervisor will be Dr Lena Kitzing from the Technical University of Denmark, a CoDeF partner institution.

Awarding of Degree

Upon completion of the PhD thesis, the candidate will defend it before the joint Doctoral Committee of LEI and Kaunas University of Technology (KTU). The doctoral degree will be awarded by KTU.

Contacts

For more information or to request an application form, please contact the supervisor of this doctoral research project, Dr Virginijus Radziukynas, at virginijus.radziukynas@lei.lt, copying Dr Arturas Klementavičius at arturas.klementavicius@lei.lt.

Dr. Giedrė Zablackaitė, nuclear energy engineer working in Japan, visited LEI: Lithuania’s opportunities in nuclear energy discussed

On April 28, Dr. Giedrė Zablackaitė, an engineer working at the company “Hitachi GE Vernova Nuclear Energy, Ltd.” in Japan, visited the Lithuanian Energy Institute (LEI).

Together with representatives of the Laboratory of Nuclear Installation Safety and the Nuclear Engineering Laboratory, she discussed Lithuania’s role and opportunities in the field of nuclear energy.

During the meeting, LEI researchers presented the institute’s research directions and ongoing scientific activities. Dr. G. Zablackaitė visited the laboratories of Nuclear Engineering and Combustion Processes and was introduced to their infrastructure and ongoing research.

Dr. G. Zablackaitė is a former student of Kaunas University of Technology (KTU). She later continued her studies and scientific work at the Tokyo Institute of Technology (now – the Institute of Science Tokyo) in Japan. After her doctoral studies, she carried out postdoctoral research at the Japan Atomic Energy Agency, where she focused on nuclear energy technologies and safety assessment issues.

Currently, Dr. G. Zablackaitė works at “Hitachi GE Vernova Nuclear Energy, Ltd.” in the Nuclear Power Plant Engineering Department, in the Nuclear Reactor Engineering Division, and contributes to the design and evaluation of nuclear safety systems.

Lithuania’s Collaboration with MIT Creates New Opportunities for Scientific Research

Dr. Gintautas Poškas, a senior research associate at the LEI Nuclear Engineering Laboratory, together with Massachusetts Institute of Technology researcher Haruko Wainwright, has secured funding through the prestigious “Global Seed Fund” program.

Their project, “Digital twin approaches for nuclear waste disposal safety assessments,” focuses on developing advanced digital twin methods for assessing the safety of nuclear waste disposal.

“This partnership with MIT allows research being developed in Lithuania to reach a new level and create innovations with real impact on the safety of nuclear waste management,” emphasized Dr. Poškas.

The Global Seed Fund is an initiative coordinated by MIT’s Center for International Studies that promotes international scientific research and funds early-stage joint projects between MIT and partner institutions worldwide, creating opportunities to develop new research ideas.

This achievement marks the successful work of the Lithuanian Consortium for Engagement with MIT. Established in 2025, the consortium brings together Lithuanian academic and business institutions seeking to develop joint projects with the world-leading Massachusetts Institute of Technology and strengthen international cooperation.

All projects submitted by partners of the Lithuanian consortium in this funding call were successful, demonstrating the rapid growth of the partnership and strengthening interinstitutional collaboration.

Congratulations to Ernest Bykov on completing his PhD

Congratulations to Ernest Bykov, a Junior Research Associate at the LEI Laboratory of Combustion Processes, who successfully defended his PhD dissertation on 17 April 2026 on the topic of Investigation on plasma assisted combustion of gas mixtures for combustion efficiency (Technological Sciences, Energetics and Power Engineering, T006).

Energy Security Dialogue in Kaunas: NATO Experts Explored LEI Scientific Solutions and Innovations

On 14 April, a delegation of experts from the NATO Energy Security Centre of Excellence (ENSEC COE), led by its Director Colonel Gytis Kazokas, visited the Lithuanian Energy Institute (LEI.

The purpose of the visit was to strengthen inter-institutional cooperation and discuss the applicability of LEI’s ongoing scientific research to defense and energy security needs. The meeting aimed to identify potential joint research directions and technological solutions that could contribute to strengthening NATO’s energy resilience.

Presentation of advanced research

At the beginning of the meeting, LEI activities, research divisions, and ongoing projects were presented by LEI Director Prof. Dr. Saulius Gudžius. He reviewed the institute’s scientific achievements, international projects, and research directions.

Deputy Director of LEI and researcher at the Laboratory of Combustion Processes, Dr. Raminta Skvorčinskienė, presented her research on reducing friction in water transport using advanced surface modification technologies. She described an experimental method based on the Leidenfrost effect, which aims to reduce liquid resistance through the formation of a vapor layer.

Deputy Director of LEI and researcher at the Plasma Processing Laboratory, Dr. Andrius Tamošiūnas, presented the GIFFT project, which aims to develop an innovative burner capable of operating with four different fuel types: biomass, green electricity, hydrogen, and natural gas.

Discussion of Cooperation Opportunities

The activities and main research directions of the Laboratory of Nuclear Installation Safety were presented by researcher Dr. Egidijus Urbonavičius, emphasizing the laboratory’s contribution to the development of safe and advanced nuclear technologies.

Researcher Dr. Edgaras Misiulis from the Laboratory of Heat-Equipment Research and Testing delivered a presentation titled “Why We Started Developing a Drone R&D Hub for Advanced Propeller Design”, focusing on unmanned aerial vehicle technologies and the development of advanced propeller design and aerodynamics.

After the presentations, the delegation visited LEI research subdivisions: the Laboratory of Heat-Equipment Research and Testing, the Center for Hydrogen Energy Technologies, the Laboratory of Combustion Processes, and the Nuclear Engineering Laboratory. During the tour, the guests were introduced to the infrastructure, experimental equipment, and ongoing research activities.

The visit concluded with discussions on future cooperation and potential joint research initiatives in energy security.

Lithuanian Science and Business at MIT: From Academic Rigor to Real-World Solutions

Between March 16 and 20 this year a delegation from the Lithuanian Consortium for Engagement with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) carried out its third strategic visit to the United States. The group brought together representatives from Lithuanian universities, research institutes, and businesses, continuing efforts to deepen collaboration with one of the world’s leading innovation ecosystems.

This year’s spring was full of new experiences for the transatlantic science and innovation community. A delegation with 18 members from 13 partnering science and business institutions of Lithuanian Consortium traveled to the world’s leading university to discuss further plans for joint research and projects.

The visit agenda combined joint and individual meetings with MIT representatives. In parallel, the delegation engaged directly with MIT’s academic environment, attending classes, thesis defenses, and midterm project reviews of students at MIT schools and DesignX, dedicated to design innovation and entrepreneurship. These experiences provided first-hand insight into how MIT structures its learning process around active participation and real-world problem-solving.

Reflecting on the visit, Professor Elizabeth Wood—founding director of the MIT-Ukraine Program and co-director of the MIT-Eurasia Program at the MIT Center for International Studies (CIS) —emphasized both the scope of these CIS-affiliated programs and the value of direct exchange:

It was wonderful to have our Lithuanian colleagues from the Consortium visit MIT the week of March 16 as spring was just arriving. We were able to have excellent visits to many facilities at MIT, including meeting with the Vice Provost for International Activities, Duane Boning, and with the head of all the MIT libraries, Chris Bourg.

The visit explored concrete ways to bring researchers and industry closer together, especially how to turn scientific ideas into real products and solutions.

From Process to Impact

Throughout the visit one idea kept coming up repeatedly: research and education are increasingly being judged by the real-world impact they create. According to Professor Wood, the conversations pointed to real changes already happening across Lithuanian universities:

This visit helped me to clarify some of the fascinating directions that Lithuanian leaders in academia and industry are discussing, including moving to modernize and innovate in research and education.

She also pointed to the importance of stronger collaboration between science and business, as well as more practice-oriented teaching models:

I was intrigued by the discussion of building more ties between academia and industry so there can be more mutual support. Some MIT models of teaching that orient courses toward concrete proposals of tasks from the business community might be useful here.

These insights were further reflected in conversations between Lithuanian and MIT representatives. Ina Žurkuvienė, the coordinator of the Lithuanian Consortium, elaborated:

At MIT, there is a strong focus on how research contributes to real change in the world. Their portfolios are built around projects, inventions, and technologies. It raises an important question for us in Lithuania – what if we started measuring success more by impact than by process? While high-quality publications remain a cornerstone of science, broadening our criteria to value real-world outcomes alongside traditional metrics would allow a more holistic appreciation of a scientist’s contribution.

At the same time, it was emphasized that such approaches require careful adaptation to national and European contexts rather than direct replication.

The delegation met with possible partners to discuss these shifts, including Prof. Dr. Phillip Budden—who recently visited Lithuania—and Prof. Dr. Fiona Murray, Vice Chair of the NATO Innovation Fund. Their discussions focused on exploring future avenues for collaboration.

Learning How Innovation Moves Through the Role of MIT Centers

To better understand how ideas move from laboratories to the market, the delegation visited several MIT units, including the Deshpande Center for Technological Innovation.

There, discussions with Executive Director Rana K. Gupta highlighted a highly selective commercialization model. Each year, the center reviews dozens of research proposals but supports only a small number of projects with strong potential for real-world application. A big part of this process relies on ‘Catalysts’ – experienced scientists who work side by side with researchers to test ideas, spot risks early, and help move projects toward the market.

The Consortium’s coordinator stressed that this approach only works when there is a genuine trust between researchers and the people helping bring their ideas to market:

That trust comes from shared experience – without it, even the best tools or processes are not enough.

One more insightful visit was to the MIT Teaching and Learning Lab. It highlighted an approach to education focused on active learning. It was noted that students are expected to engage with theoretical material independently before class, while in-person time is dedicated to discussion, teamwork, and solving real-world challenges. This model is reinforced across MIT through early involvement in team-based projects, close collaboration with faculty and industry, and access to entrepreneurship platforms such as MIT DesignX, combining practical application with a strong interdisciplinary academic foundation.

Testing Ideas in Practice

The delegation also visited the MIT Nuclear Reactor Laboratory, one of the few university-based research reactors in the world. The facility enables advanced materials testing under extreme conditions, significantly accelerating research processes and supporting collaboration with industry partners developing next-generation energy technologies.

Another important stop was at the Lithuanian-founded biotechnology company Northway Biotech in Waltham, Massachusetts. The tour of modern laboratories highlighted how the manufacturing technologies for biological medicinal products are developed and medicinal products are produced for clinical trials.

The new member of the Consortium is continuing talks with Lithuanian Science institutions about a possible collaboration for building the joint Research and Innovation Centre for biotechnologies. The Center is primarily defined by its explicit focus on dual-use research. Idea was presented in a meeting with Prof. Dr. Robert Desimone, Dr. J. Christopher Love, Prof. Dr. Michael J. Cima, Prof. Dr. Hadley Sikes who was a guest speaker at the conference Human and More than Human Futures organized by the Lithuanian Consortium last October.

Building the Momentum

The engagement between Lithuanian institutions and MIT is already yielding concrete results. In the first year of collaboration, Lithuanian participants submitted seven MIT Global Seed Funds applications—administered through CIS—together with MIT researchers.

Another tangible outcome is a planned joint academic micro-module under development by 6 Lithuanian universities, scheduled to launch in October 2026. The pilot initiative will connect students from Lithuanian universities with MIT’s academic environment through MITx and teaching practices.

Reflecting on the broader exchange, Professor Wood also highlighted the mutual learning dimension of the visit:

I also learned a lot about Lithuanian self-reliance and independence in conversations with members of the delegation. Overall, it was a fascinating and fruitful set of meetings and discussions. I’m delighted that so many wonderful colleagues were able to come to visit.

Summarizing the experience, participants emphasized that MIT’s model should be seen as a source of inspiration rather than a blueprint.

MIT’s environment is unique. You cannot simply transfer it to another system, Ina Žurkuvienė noted. Not all science needs to become business, but where it does, it requires strong support. This is a broader systemic question – but it is one worth exploring.

Special thanks to Gediminas Urbonas, Deliana Ernst, Ekaterina Zabrovski for making this visit so enriching.

About the Consortium

The Lithuanian Consortium for Engagement with MIT brings together leading Lithuanian universities, research institutions, and companies, including Euromonitor International, Ignitis Group, Lithuanian Research Centre for Agriculture and Forestry, Lithuanian Railways, Lithuanian Energy Institute, Klaipėda University, Kaunas University of Technology, Mykolas Romeris University, Northway Biotech, Novian, Vytautas Magnus University, Vilnius TECH, Vilnius University, and Vilnius Academy of Arts.

Coordinator of the Consortium – Vytautas Magnus University.

Consortium activities are supported by the Research Council of Lithuania.

Paper Submission is Now Open for ENTRUST 2026

Paper submission for ENTRUST 2026 Conference is now open. Researchers, doctoral students, and young scientists are invited to submit their abstracts and participate in the conference, which will take place on 8–11 September 2026 in Kaunas, Lithuania. ENTRUST will bring together researchers, innovators, industry professionals, and policy makers to explore technological solutions for energy transformation.

Abstracts must be prepared in English and should briefly present the research focus, methodology, key results, and main conclusions. The abstract length is limited to 2,500 characters and must follow the official submission guidelines. All abstracts must be submitted by 15 June 2026 via the designated online submission form which can be found here.

Honoring the Past, Shaping the Future

In response to the growing demand for dialogue on energy transformation, the Lithuanian Energy Institute (LEI) has initiated the first ENTRUST Conference, bringing together visionary scientists, innovators, and decision-makers to share research, exchange ideas, and collaborate across disciplines.

The conference aims to unite the broader energy research and innovation community for constructive dialogue on the challenges of modern energy systems and potential solutions, promoting interdisciplinary cooperation and fostering innovation for a sustainable future.

One of the key components of ENTRUST will be CYSENI, a long-standing international conference for young scientists in the fields of energy and natural sciences. For more than two decades, CYSENI has provided an important platform for early-career researchers to present their work, exchange ideas, and build lasting professional connections across Europe.

In 2026, CYSENI enters a new stage, transitioning from an independent conference into becoming an integral part of ENTRUST.

At the first ENTRUST Conference, CYSENI will continue its close cooperation with long-term partners while offering young researchers the opportunity to join a broader international conference community. Doctoral students, early-career researchers, and young professionals will remain a vital part of ENTRUST, with expanded possibilities to engage with senior scientists, industry representatives, and policy makers.

To receive the latest updates about the conference, we invite you to subscribe to our newsletter and follow us on LinkedIn.

3rd ResMe2E Consortium Meeting took place in Warsaw

Last week, the ResMe2E consortium met in Warsaw for a productive and engaging project meeting. With the project now around its midpoint, the discussions became especially dynamic and focused, reflecting the growing maturity of the work and the strong engagement of all partners. The exchanges were highly constructive, helping to review progress, align next steps, and strengthen collaboration across the consortium.

The meeting took place in Powiśle, an area where a former power plant once operated – an inspiring setting for conversations about the future of sustainable energy systems.

More about the project: https://www.lei.lt/projektas/resme2e-lt/

Congratulations to Justina Jaseliūnaitė on completing her PhD

Congratulations to Justina Jaseliūnaitė, a Junior Research Associate at the LEI Laboratory of Nuclear Installation Safety, who successfully defended her PhD dissertation on 13 February 2026 on the topic of The influence of coherent flow structures on the thermohydraulic efficiency of microchannels (Technological Sciences, Energetics and Power Engineering, T006).

A Step into the World of Science: Undergraduate Students Begin Their Internship at LEI