Assistant Professor in Integrated Dynamics of Offshore Wind Turbines

Job description

Offshore renewables, particularly offshore wind, have seen remarkable growth in recent decades. To achieve the EU's ambitious target of generating 300 GW of energy from offshore wind by 2050, numerous wind turbine generators will need to be installed daily in European waters. Simultaneously, intercontinental demand for offshore wind energy is expanding to regions with unique challenges, which will test the technology and expertise developed in offshore renewables so far. New bottom-founded design concepts are emerging for installations in deeper waters, while floating wind turbines show great promise for harnessing offshore wind energy in even deeper seas. Rapid advancements are occurring across multiple research domains to support offshore wind deployment in increasingly challenging environments, including aeroelasticity, blade and nacelle design, offshore support structures, offshore wind turbine (OWT) tower and mooring designs, and control theory. These developments necessitate a comprehensive understanding of the structural response of offshore wind turbines throughout their entire lifecycle, in environments rich in dynamic excitations coming from wind, ice, waves, currents, and earthquakes. Although significant progress has been made in each individual research theme mentioned above, the complex interrelationships between them and the assessment of dynamics at an integrated level remain largely unexplored. A deeper understanding of these interactions will not only enable optimization of current designs—which can vary significantly depending on local site conditions—but also reveal existing or potentially unknown dynamic phenomena that may only become apparent when considering the integrated, non-linear dynamics of the systems.

This vacancy aims to close the existing gap when it comes to the integrated dynamics of OWT through their lifetime, being either bottom fixed or floating, with an eye on future developments. You should demonstrate a strong motivation to further build on the understanding of the physics of dynamics of OWT including the integration of the existing knowledge in the fields of control theory and the exploration of dynamic instabilities as they arise. A strong computational background in solid-solid and solid-fluid dynamic interactions is highly appreciated. If your feel that your expertise aligns only partly with the research themes mentioned above, but you are strongly motivated to cover the integrated dynamics of OWT, you are also very welcomed to apply. A strong collaboration with expert groups working in existing and well-established research domains is foreseen (mechanical equipment, aeroelasticity, hydrodynamics, soil-structure interaction).

You will join an innovation-driven team of early-stage researchers, senior professors, postdocs, PhD’s and MSc students with different cultural backgrounds at the OE section (weblink), and also closely collaborate with researchers at the Dynamics of Solids & Structures section of the department of Engineering Structures. Both sections have an open-minded, inspiring, and friendly atmosphere, in which you will be sharing ideas and knowledge. A healthy and inclusive work environment is stimulated, in which you can bring out the best of yourself. We value autonomy, professionalism, and a balanced work-life approach. You will also have access to state-of-the-art facilities including high quality experimental equipment. And you will get all the training and support you need to develop your academic career.

This vacancy is positioned within the globally recognized Department of Hydraulic Engineering (HE), known for its excellence in education, research, and career development, addressing key challenges like climate change, energy transition, and biodiversity loss. The department boasts cutting-edge facilities, a collaborative culture, and a diverse team, including 68 permanent staff, and over 100 PhD students and postdocs driving innovative research.

Requirements

As Assistant Professor in the OE section, you shall contribute to the following:

• Education, by actively contributing to the education portfolio of the section, department and faculty at all academic levels (BSc, MSc). Together with colleagues, you will develop new approaches to engineering education using the state-of-the-art facilities present at TU Delft.  The OE section is already responsible for teaching several modules related to dynamics of structures and offshore renewables. In particular, you will be asked to contribute to courses related to the dynamics of structures subjected to wind, waves and earthquakes as well as on modules related to offshore renewables with particular focus on offshore wind.
• Research, by (i) taking the lead in participating and/or leading research proposals for attracting funding in the field of offshore wind; (ii) executing research projects as a leader also in collaboration with industry; and (iii) helping the department to expand its outreach in research groups of related disciplines in other faculties and beyond.
• Organisation, by participating in various committees dealing with organisational matters of the faculty either at the departemental or facutly level.

You also:

• hold PhD degree in the field of engineering or other related field;
• have (some) experience in developing or teaching academic courses at BSc or MSc level;
• have excellent command of the English language;
• preferably speak, or be open to learn, Dutch at a professional level (B2 Level);
• have some experience in (international) collaborative research projects (not obligatory but nice to have).

TU Delft (Delft University of Technology)

Delft University of Technology is built on strong foundations. As creators of the world-famous Dutch waterworks and pioneers in biotech, TU Delft is a top international university combining science, engineering and design. It delivers world class results in education, research and innovation to address challenges in the areas of energy, climate, mobility, health and digital society. For generations, our engineers have proven to be entrepreneurial problem-solvers, both in business and in a social context.

At TU Delft we embrace diversity as one of our core values and we actively engage to be a university where you feel at home and can flourish. We value different perspectives and qualities. We believe this makes our work more innovative, the TU Delft community more vibrant and the world more just. Together, we imagine, invent and create solutions using technology to have a positive impact on a global scale. That is why we invite you to apply. Your application will receive fair consideration.

Challenge. Change. Impact!

Faculty of Civil Engineering and Geosciences

The Faculty of Civil Engineering & Geosciences (CEG) is committed to outstanding international research and education in the field of civil engineering, applied earth sciences, traffic and transport, water technology, and delta technology. Our research feeds into our educational programmes and covers societal challenges such as climate change, energy transition, resource availability, urbanisation and clean water. Our research projects are conducted in close cooperation with a wide range of research institutions. CEG is convinced of the importance of open science and supports its scientists in integrating open science in their research practice. The Faculty of CEG comprises 28 research groups in the following seven departments: Materials Mechanics Management & Design, Engineering Structures, Geoscience and Engineering, Geoscience and Remote Sensing, Transport & Planning, Hydraulic Engineering and Water Management.

Click here to go to the website of the Faculty of Civil Engineering & Geosciences.

Conditions of employment

This position is offered as an Academic Career Track position (0.8 – 1.0 FTE). During the Academic Career Track, we expect you to grow towards an Associate Professor position within a maximum of eight years, for which a position will be available. With other Academic Career Track colleagues, you will participate in the Academic Career Track Development programme, where you are offered ample opportunities to develop yourself in the areas of Education, Research, Societal Impact & Innovation, and Leadership & Organisation. You will regularly discuss your development and results with senior staff based on a personalized development plan and performance criteria agreed upon at the start of your Academic Career Track. 

Inspiring, excellent education is our central aim. We expect you to obtain a University Teaching Qualification (UTQ) within three years if you have less than five years of teaching experience. This is provided by the TU Delft UTQ programme as part of the Academic Career Track Development programme.

TU Delft sets high standards for the English competency of the teaching staff. The TU Delft offers training to improve English competency. If you do not speak Dutch, we offer courses to learn the Dutch language within three years.

Salary and benefits are in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities. The TU Delft offers a customisable compensation package, discounts on health insurance, and a monthly work costs contribution. Flexible work schedules can be arranged and you can work partly from home.

For international applicants, TU Delft has the Coming to Delft Service. This service addresses the needs of new international employees and those of their partners and families. The Coming to Delft Service offers personalised assistance during the preparation of the relocation, finding housing and schools for children (if applicable). In addition, a Dual Career Programme for partners is offered. The Coming to Delft Service will do their best to help you settle in the Netherlands.

Additional information

For more information about this vacancy, please contact Dr. Apostolos Tsouvalas via a.tsouvalas@tudelft.nl.    

Application procedure

Are you interested in this vacancy? Please apply no later than 12 December 2024 via the application button and upload the following documents:

• a detailed CV;
• a short letter of motivation;
• a personal research and teaching statement (max 3 pages);
• contact information of two persons who can provide references;
• your publication list;
• an abstract of your MSc and PhD thesis;
• two selected publications.

Please note:

• You can apply online. We will not process applications sent by email and/or post. 
• A pre-employment screening can be part of the selection procedure.
• A knowledge security check will be part of the selection procedure (for details page 45: national knowledge security guidelines)
• Please do not contact us for unsolicited services.