PhD Position Fully Wind Propelled Vessels

The Four Quadrant Sailing Ship (4Q2S) project is a TU-Delft disbursed feasibility study investigating promising concepts to propel a ship entirely by wind at any course. Traditional concepts fail at least at sailing in the head quartering sector(s), making these historically proven concepts inadequate for modern worldwide logistics. Furthermore, traditional rigs are too labour-intense to compete with the fully mechanical propulsion concepts as nowadays applied in shipping.

Even (partly) mechanised contemporary Wind Assisted Ship Propulsion (wasp) concepts require an independent back-up propulsion system when the wind is blowing from the forward quarter(s).

Still many wind propulsion concepts can reach targets in wind direction, however, via the space wasting detour of tacking. Tacking is not only requiring verbatim leeway to zig-zag into the wind direction, it is (with known concepts) also a labour-intense manoeuvre for the crew.

The target of 4Q2S is to transfer this linear zig-zag motion into the combined rotative motion of a wind turbine and an underwater propeller. Mechanical rotative concepts are much closer to contemporary short crewed solutions. The target of 4Q2S is therefore:

1. Enabling the shipping sector to achieve up to 100% reduction in CO2 with a 2030 horizon, by developing and engineering ship concepts which operate at all courses short-crewed fully on wind power.
2. Surveying the full ship lifecycle of such concepts to prevent hidden CO2 mortgages e.g. in the production or dismantling phase of the concepts under investigation.
3. 4Q2S will enable shipping stakeholders to embrace innovative propulsion concepts to support smart green shipping in the upgrade of existing ships and building of new vessels.

The PhD research will analyse the basic physics of tacking ships and seek for innovative solutions to transfer the principle into a mechanic rotative solution, e.g. the combination of matching wind turbines and propulsors under water. Based on the current envisaged concept, which can shift based on knowledge achieved within the project, the PhD will focus on:

1. The development a design approach for wind turbines for the application of fully wind propelled ships. This implies finding the optimal balance of harvested wind energy versus horizontal bearing reactions of the floating turbine to be overcompensated by a matching propulsor driving entirely on the harvested energy.
2. Delivering a design approach for such concepts in the harsh offshore environment.
3. Supporting the development of a life-time zero-emission concept for both retrofit and new builds supporting all shipping industry stakeholders involved in transition to real zero emissions shipping.

• We are seeking an inquisitive and enthusiastic PhD candidate who has expertise and/or interest in one or more of the following areas: complex or zero emission ship design, designing of wind turbines and propellers, zero emission power and propulsion technologies, or similar areas.
• You have obtained a MSc or an equivalent degree or expect to obtain an MSc very soon related to these areas (naval architecture, marine engineering, aerospace engineering, mechanical engineering, or other related fields).
• Good spoken and written English and the ability to work in a team are mandatory.

Doing a PhD at TU Delft requires English proficiency at a certain level to ensure that the candidate is able to communicate and interact well, participate in English-taught Doctoral Education courses, and write scientific articles and a final thesis. For more details please check the Graduate Schools Admission Requirements.

Doctoral candidates will be offered a 4-year period of employment in principle, but in the form of 2 employment contracts. An initial 1,5 year contract with an official go/no go progress assessment within 15 months. Followed by an additional contract for the remaining 2,5 years assuming everything goes well and performance requirements are met.

Salary and benefits are in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities, increasing from € 2770 per month in the first year to € 3539 in the fourth year. As a PhD candidate you will be enrolled in the TU Delft Graduate School. The TU Delft Graduate School provides an inspiring research environment with an excellent team of supervisors, academic staff and a mentor. The Doctoral Education Programme is aimed at developing your transferable, discipline-related and research skills.

The TU Delft offers a customisable compensation package, discounts on health insurance, and a monthly work costs contribution. Flexible work schedules can be arranged.

For international applicants, TU Delft has the Coming to Delft Service. This service provides information for new international employees to help you prepare the relocation and to settle in the Netherlands. The Coming to Delft Service offers a Dual Career Programme for partners and they organise events to expand your (social) network.

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!

From chip to ship. From machine to human being. From idea to solution. Driven by a deep-rooted desire to understand our environment and discover its underlying mechanisms, research and education at the ME faculty focusses on fundamental understanding, design, production including application and product improvement, materials, processes and (mechanical) systems.

ME is a dynamic and innovative faculty with high-tech lab facilities and international reach. It’s a large faculty but also versatile, so we can often make unique connections by combining different disciplines. This is reflected in ME’s outstanding, state-of-the-art education, which trains students to become responsible and socially engaged engineers and scientists. We translate our knowledge and insights into solutions to societal issues, contributing to a sustainable society and to the development of prosperity and well-being. That is what unites us in pioneering research, inspiring education and (inter)national cooperation.

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