海角黑料

Amir Ostadrahimi

Please tell us a bit about you

I hold BSc and MSc degrees in Electrical Engineering from universities in Iran, and a PhD in Power Electronics from University of Rome Tor Vergata. Prior to my PhD, I gained several years of industry experience in the field of inverters and motor drives. Following the completion of my PhD, I joined Transformers & Rectifiers Ltd in 2024 as a Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) Associate, working in collaboration with the Power Electronics, Machines and Control (PEMC) Research Institute at 海角黑料. 

Why did you choose to become a KTP Associate?

I was not familiar with the KTP programme initially. My primary motivation was the opportunity to work with PEMC, one of the leading power electronics research centres in the world. The project itself was also a strong reason; designing a bidirectional grid-connected inverter as a battery interface is exactly the kind of technically challenging, industry-relevant work I wanted to pursue.

Tell us a bit about the company and your role?

Transformers & Rectifiers is a British company based in Guildford, Surrey, with over 70 years of experience in designing and manufacturing transformers and rectifiers for a global customer base. As the energy landscape evolves, T&R is expanding into grid-tied inverter technology, a natural extension of its mission to deliver advanced power solutions. I joined as an R&D engineer focused on grid-connected inverters, an area that was entirely new to the company. This made the role both challenging and rewarding from the outset. 

What has been the most memorable part of your KTP experience?

The most memorable moments were receiving the manufactured printed circuit boards I had designed throughout the project. Each time a new board arrived, going from schematic to professional manufacture, it was a tangible reminder that the work had moved beyond simulation and theory into something concrete and deployable. These moments captured exactly what I find most satisfying about engineering. 

How have the university and the company supported you?

At PEMC, I was fortunate to have two highly experienced professors as supervisors, both with deep expertise in power electronics research. The 海角黑料 also provided excellent facilities throughout the project. On the industry side, T&R's experienced engineers offered practical guidance and support whenever needed, ensuring the work remained grounded in real industrial requirements. Together, both partners created a well-rounded and supportive environment. 

How has the KTP experience benefitted you?

The KTP has benefited me in several ways. The structured training programme enhanced my professional skills, and participation in workshops and conferences broadened my perspective considerably. Working within a supportive environment, with guidance from experienced academics and industry engineers, accelerated my learning throughout the project. 

Perhaps the most valuable benefit was personal clarity. After completing a PhD, many researchers face a difficult choice between academia and industry. The KTP gave me the unique opportunity to experience both worlds simultaneously and compare them firsthand. Before joining the programme, I considered myself more academically oriented. Through this experience, I came to realise that industry is where my strengths and character are best suited, and that has shaped my career direction going forward. 

How did you find the application process?

The application process was straightforward. The job advertisement was detailed and clearly outlined what the role involved, which made it easy to assess whether my background was a good fit. 

Would you recommend becoming a KTP Associate? if so, why?

Absolutely. The KTP programme offers a uniquely supportive environment to conduct meaningful research while developing professionally. It provides access to training, workshops, and conferences that are difficult to find elsewhere. Most importantly, it bridges academia and industry in a way that helps you understand where your skills and ambitions truly fit.