General information about the Novel design, production and operation approaches for floating wind farms (STEP4WIND) project
STEP4WIND is a European Industrial Doctorate programme, granted under the H2020 Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions Innovative Training Network initiative. The main objective is to address both technological and economical challenges related to the development of large floating offshore wind farms. Floating offshore wind turbines (FOWTs) could be a game changer to further decrease the cost of offshore wind energy and unlock new markets. Wind turbines placed on a floating support and moored to the seabed can harness energy in areas with much higher wind speeds, at a reduced installation cost. It also gives the opportunity to countries with deep water to enter the offshore wind industry. The project runs over 4 years and will deliver 10 PhD degrees, in joint supervision and training between the public and private sectors. The early-stage researchers (ESRs) will be part of a network supervised by 3 universities with a track-record in wind energy research and 5 companies leading the deployment of floating wind farms and heavily involved in policy-making bodies. A training programme and a mentoring scheme will equip the ESRs with key skills for their future career. Scientifically, STEP4WIND will develop floating-specific tools, methods and infrastructures to tackle the technological and economical challenges of FOWTs, from design to deployment, operation and scaling up. It will also deliver guidelines for large farm deployments, with a clear roadmap to commercialization.
Further information on the Innovation Training Network Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions Novel design, production and operation approaches for floating wind farms (STEP4WIND) at www.step4wind.eu.

Abstract of research project
Epoxy or polyester resin infusion of dry glass preforms is the main technology used for manufacture of wind turbine blades today. Pre-impregnated tapes (prepreg) of glass, carbon fibre and epoxy can also be used to give higher mechanical properties, but the pre-preg is more expensive and has to be stored in refrigerated conditions to maximise its shelf-life. Aerospace parts are usually manufactured in autoclaves that allow for the use of more advanced materials and high curing temperatures. The work will consist of: (i) the development of automated techniques for placement of unidirectional tapes of carbon-fibre epoxy in an offshore wind blade spar-cap or torsion box, and (ii) the mechanical and physical characterisation of the resulting composite materials. The particular advantages of the prepreg tape route will be exploited to develop cost-effective processes that can yield maximum carbon fibre volume fraction and fibre straightness, while accommodating the blade curvature and twist. In Year 1, the automation process will be investigated and down-selected. In Year 2, the mechanical and physical characterisation of resulting composite laminates will be made. Year 3 will focus on the design and construction of the demonstrator component. Finally, Year 4 will be dedicated to finishing the PhD thesis.

Expected results
The principal outputs of this doctoral activity are described as follows:
(1) selection of the automation process, (2) mechanical and physical characterisation of resulting composite laminates, (3) design and construction of the demonstrator component.

Eligibility criteria
Candidates should have a MSc Degree (120 ECTS points) or a similar degree with an academic-level equivalent to a Master of Science (5 years minimum duration Bachelor + Master).

Qualifications
The successful candidate is required to have:
• Experience in the manufacture and testing of composite materials where experience in the manufacture of composites using Automated Tape Placement (ATP), filament winding or similar techniques will be considered a plus.
• Strong theoretical knowledge and practical, hands-on experience of wind energy
• Ability to work in a project team and take responsibility for own research goals
• Fluency in communicating and reporting in English

In addition, the successful candidate should satisfy at the time of the recruitment the following mandatory characteristics:
• having not more than 4 years of equivalent research experience (i.e. working as researcher after obtaining your master’s degree);
• having not been awarded a title of PhD;
• having not resided or carried out her/his main activity in Ireland for more than 12 months in the last 3 years.

The enrolment is subject to academic approval and fulfilment of the requirements for admission to a doctoral program at TU Delft. The present PhD project will take advantage of collaboration with researchers at TU Delft, Eire Composites and the National University of Ireland in Galway.

Fixed-term contract: 4 years.

TU Delft offers a customisable compensation package, a discount for health insurance and sport memberships, and a monthly work costs contribution. Flexible work schedules can be arranged. An International Children’s Centre offers childcare and an international primary school. Dual Career Services offers support to accompanying partners. Salary and benefits are in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities.
As a PhD candidate you will be enrolled in the TU Delft Graduate School. TU Delft Graduate School provides an inspiring research environment; an excellent team of supervisors, academic staff, and a mentor; and a Doctoral Education Programme aimed at developing your transferable, discipline-related, and research skills. Please visit www.tudelft.nl/phd for more information.

Salary and appointment terms
The selected candidate will be appointed on a temporary contract for 48 months, to be renewed annually. A contract of 24 months will be provided by Eire Composites (Ireland) and a 24-month contract will be provided by TU Delft (The Netherlands). The salary will be in line with the funding schemes of MSCA action, in accordance respectively with Irish and Dutch rules and regulations within this regard, and Country specific requirements, as stated in the Grant Agreement and Guide for Applicants.

Monthly salary in Ireland (living allowance + mobility allowance) will be of 3.780,12 € + 600 € (gross amount), allocated following Irish specific contract conditions for MSCA candidates.
The monthly salary in The Netherlands will be in line with the CLA of the Dutch Universities. Additional payments will be made in accordance with the specific contract conditions for MSCA candidates.
Family allowance accounts for 500 €/month (gross amount), regardless of the Country issuing the working contract, and will be granted only upon specific conditions.

Technische Universiteit Delft

Delft University of Technology (TU Delft) is a multifaceted institution offering education and carrying out research in the technical sciences at an internationally recognised level. Education, research and design are strongly oriented towards applicability. TU Delft develops technologies for future generations, focusing on sustainability, safety and economic vitality. At TU Delft you will work in an environment where technical sciences and society converge. TU Delft comprises eight faculties, unique laboratories, research institutes and schools.

Faculty Aerospace Engineering

The faculty of Aerospace Engineering at Delft University of Technology is one of the world's largest faculties devoted entirely to aerospace engineering. In the Netherlands it is the only research and education institute directly related to the aerospace engineering sector. It covers the whole spectrum of aerospace engineering subjects. In aeronautics, the faculty covers subjects ranging from aerodynamics and flight propulsion to structures and materials and from control and simulation to air transport and operations. In astronautics, topics include astrodynamics, space missions and space systems engineering. The faculty has around 2,500 BSc and MSc students, 214 PhD candidates and 27 professors supported by scientific staff.
The faculty's mission is to be the best Aerospace Engineering faculty in the world, inspiring and educating students through modern education techniques and enabling staff to perform ambitious research of the highest quality for the future of aerospace. The working atmosphere at the faculty is friendly, open-minded and dedicated.

The Department of Aerodynamics, Wind Energy and Flight Performance and Propulsion (AWEP) is one of four departments composing Aerospace Engineering. Fundamental research is performed in the Aerodynamics section. Aircraft design, propulsion systems and their integration are the main topics in the FPP section. Wind energy systems, from small wind turbines to large offshore farms, are the objective of the research of the Wind Energy Section. The department operates comprehensive laboratories, equipped with modern wind tunnels and state-of-the-art measurement systems.

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 students, SET students and for the European Wind Energy Master (EWEM) students.

ÉireComposites is an innovative design, manufacturing and testing company, involved in lightweight, high performance fibre-reinforced composite materials, with an international blue-chip customer base of over 70 companies in the aerospace, renewable energy and automotive sectors. ÉireComposites (www.ÉireComposites.com) has established accredited aerospace composites manufacturing and testing facilities in Galway, Ireland and has significant intellectual property in manufacturing and tooling for composite materials. ÉireComposites is well established as a blade manufacturer for small wind turbines and tidal turbines. It is ideally placed to expand its business into larger wind blades. ÉireComposites has managed over €20m of EU FP6, FP 7 and H2020 projects relating to composite materials for aircraft structures, space launchers and renewable energy products.

NUI Galway is world-renowned as an expert research-led University, which is involved in over 150 Horizon 2020 projects and has received over €65 million in direct funding from the programme. NUI Galway places a strong focus on providing a supportive and exciting environment for its researchers and was awarded the “HR Excellence in Research” logo by the European Commission in late 2013. NUI Galway is home to the Sustainable & Resilient Structures Research Group, who lead the Materials and Structures research area of MaREI, Ireland's only SFI centre for Energy, Climate and Marine. The focus of the group is on novel material design and structure systems to identify optimal solutions for the challenges faced in maritime engineering. The group's capabilities revolve around the Large Structures Testing Laboratory and numerical modelling capabilities, including the in-house software BladeComp, which are currently being applied to a number of high-profile international projects, including LEAPWind, SEABLADE and MARINET2.