Researcher/Lecturer 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, and you will be given opportunities to collaborate across the Department and Faculty. 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. The department is committed to allocate sufficient time, up to 50%, for the development of the research profile and teaching qualification of the new colleague.

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.

Job requirements 

As Researcher/Lecturer in the OE section, you shall contribute to the following:

1) Education, by actively contributing to the education portfolio of the section, department and faculty at the MSc level. The OE section is 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.

2) Research, by participating and/or leading research proposals for attracting funding in the field of offshore wind, by executing research projects also in collaboration with industry, and by helping the department to expand its outreach in research groups of related disciplines in other faculties and beyond.

You also:

• hold PhD degree in the field of engineering or other related field;
• have (some) experience in teaching academic courses at BSc or MSc level;
• have demonstrated experience in guiding MSc graduates studying various challenging aspects of the dynamics of offshore wind turbines, including installation, operation and maintenance;
• have excellent command of the English language;
• be open to learn Dutch at a professional 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.