Postdoc Numerical Modelling of Wind Farm Cluster Interactions

The large build-out of offshore wind farns in the North Sea is creating challenges in terms of understanding how they affect the local wind climate.

Job description

This project will assess the application of high fidelity (e.g. LES and RANS CFD) and lower fidelity wind flow models for predicting cluster wake interactions betweem large offshore wind farms. The research will involve the application of canopy models in CFD and the use of reduced order multi-layer models to predict intra--wind farm interactions. The otputs of the research will be to benchmark model performance and provide recommendations for an appropriate modelling strategy balancing accuracy with speed which can be used to asssess the energy yield of future build-out scenarios in the North Sea. This project is part of the European CETP EuroWindWakes project and requires cooperative research with Dutch and European partners in Germany and Denmark.

This position is within the Wind Energy Section which is part of the Department of Flow Physics and Technology in the Faculty of Aerospace Engineering. The Wind Energy Section facilitates the development of wind energy technology and the expansion of the use of wind power through research and education. In its research activities there is a focus on large multi megawatt offshore wind turbines and offshore wind farms, though urban and airborne wind power is also addressed. Both technology development aspects as well as fundamental aspects are present in the research program. With respect to educational courses, the BSc and MSc level are offered for Aerospace and Sustainable Energy Technology students.     

Requirements

• PhD in the application of fluid dynamics to atmospheric flows
• Experience in CFD (LES and RANS)
• Experience in modelling wind farms in real atmospheres using CFD codes

TU Delft

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 Aerospace Engineering

The Faculty of Aerospace Engineering at Delft University of Technology is one of the world’s most highly ranked (and most comprehensive) research, education and innovation communities devoted entirely to aerospace engineering. More than 200 science staff, around 270 PhD candidates and close to 3000 BSc and MSc students apply aerospace engineering disciplines to address the global societal challenges that threaten us today, climate change without doubt being the most important. Our focal subjects: sustainable aerospace, big data and artificial intelligence, bio-inspired engineering and smart instruments and systems. Working at the faculty means working together. With partners in other faculties, knowledge institutes, governments and industry, both aerospace and non-aerospace. Working in field labs and innovation hubs on our university campus and beyond. 

Click here to go to the website of the Faculty of Aerospace Engineering.

Conditions of employment 

• Duration of contract is 2 years.
• A job of 36-40 hours per week. 

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. 

Will you need to relocate to the Netherlands for this job? TU Delft is committed to make your move as smooth as possible! The HR unit, Coming to Delft Service, offers information on their website to help you prepare your relocation. In addition, Coming to Delft Service organises events to help you settle in the Netherlands, and expand your (social) network in Delft. A Dual Career Programme is available, to support your accompanying partner with their job search in the Netherlands.  . 

Additional information
If you would like more information about this vacancy or the selection procedure, please contact Simon Watson, via s.j.watson@tudelft.nl.

Application procedure
Are you interested in this vacancy? Please apply no later than 29 August 2025 via the application button and upload the following documents:

• CV
• Motivational letter

You can address your application to Simon Watson.

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.
• For the final candidates, a knowledge security check will be part of the application procedure. For more information on this check, please consult Chapter 8 of the National Knowledge Security Guidelines. We carry out this check on the basis of legitimate interest.
• Please do not contact us for unsolicited services.