About the position

A 100 % position is available at the University of Agder, Faculty of Engineering and Science as a PhD Research Fellow in “Health aware operation of offshore wind farms”, affiliated to the Department of Engineering Sciences, for a period of three years. The position is located, at the present, at Campus Grimstad. The starting date is negotiable with the faculty.

Responsibilities

Wind turbines in an offshore wind farm operate under harsh marine environments and need to bear severe aeroelastic and hydrodynamic loads. These cyclic loads can cause fatigue and failure to various components and systems integrated within an offshore turbine. As a result, the operation and maintenance costs of offshore wind projects are substantially high. For example, typically, 23-30% of the total investment costs for an offshore wind project are accounted for the operation and maintenance. The proposed project aims at reducing these operation and maintenance costs of offshore wind projects through an innovative “community-based control” framework.

The successful candidate will develop AI based models to predict the flow conditions of the downstream turbines as a function of the flow experienced by the upwind turbines. Based on these, the loads on the turbines in the farm will be modelled. Site-specific performance models will be developed to estimate the power production from the turbine under different wind flow conditions. Based on these, an optimal control framework, which minimizes the environmental loads on the turbines and maximizes the overall production at the windfarm level, will be proposed.

The position is connected to UiAs initiative for offshore wind. A prerequisite for employment is that the candidate is to be admitted to UiA’s PhD programme at the Faculty of Engineering and Science.

Required qualifications

Master’s degree in wind energy, renewable energy, mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, Electronics and communication or any other related fields.
Excellent analytical skills.
Proficiency in python and MATLAB programming.
Capability to develop machine learning and other AI based models for the proposed research theme.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English.

Further provisions relating to the positions as PhD Research Fellows can be found in the Regulations Concerning Terms and Conditions of Employment for the post of Post-Doctoral Research Fellow, Research Fellow, Research Assistant and Resident.

Desired qualifications

Experience in aeroelastic and hydrodynamic modeling
Research and publications in wind energy or any other related fields
Strong motivation for research.

Personal qualities

ability to work in a goal-oriented, organized, and independent manner.
ability to handle stress and work with deadlines.
creativity and the ability to think outside the box.
Proven ability to work independently as well as in teams.

Personal qualities and suitability for the position will be emphasised.

We offer

professional development in a large, exciting and socially influential organisation
a positive, inclusive and diverse working environment
modern facilities and a comprehensive set of welfare offers
membership of the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund

More about working at UiA.

The position is remunerated according to the State Salary Scale, salary plan 17.515, code 1017 PhD Research Fellow, NOK 532 200 gross salary per year. A compulsory pension contribution to the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund is deducted from the pay according to current statutory provisions.

General information

UiA is an open and inclusive university. We believe that diversity enriches the workplace and makes us better. We, therefore, encourage qualified candidates to apply for the position independent of gender, age, cultural background, disability or an incomplete CV.

The successful applicant will have rights and obligations in accordance with the current regulations for the position, and organisational changes and changes in the duties and responsibilities of the position must be expected. Appointment is made by the University of Agder’s Appointments Committee for Teaching and Research Positions.

Short-listed applicants will be invited for interview. With the applicant’s permission, UiA will also conduct a reference check before appointment. Read more about the employment process.

In accordance with the Freedom of Information Act § 25 (2), applicants may request that they are not identified in the open list of applicants. The University, however, reserves the right to publish the names of applicants. Applicants will be advised of the University’s intention to exercise this right.

Application

The application and any necessary information about education and experience (including diplomas and certificates) are to be sent electronically. Use the link "Apply for this job".

The following documentation must be uploaded electronically:

Certificates with grades
One-page summary of the master’s thesis
A short (maximum 2 page) description on your approach in carrying out the proposed project
List of publications and other academic works with the links
List of 3 referees with their contact details
Any other relevant documentation

The applicant is fully responsible for submitting complete digital documentation before the closing date. All documentation must be available in a Scandinavian language or English.

Application deadline: 20.08.24