This post-doctoral position is part of the H2020 project TWIND (Twinning for an offshore wind energy partnership) aiming at creating a network of excellence that will dynamise a pool of specialised research professionals and trainees in the domain of offshore wind energy. The aim is also to support the development of this emerging industry in Portugal, where the water depths are such that the development of innovative solutions (e.g. floating wind turbines) is needed. The project partners are: WavEC (Portugal), ORE Catapult (UK), Tecnalia (Spain) and TU Delft (The Netherlands). 

Within the project, TU Delft leads the development of high-fidelity numerical models for offshore floating wind turbines. To date, simplified aerodynamic models (such as the blade-element momentum theory) are used to design both onshore and offshore wind turbines. However, in the context of floating offshore wind systems, the compliant nature of the support structure may allow for significant motion of the wind turbine. As a result, the rotor interacts with its own wake and is subjected to highly unsteady flows. This challenges the applicability of current engineering tools. This post-doctoral position will focus on examining the validity of present aerodynamic models under large motion. This will be done by performing CFD analyses of a wind turbine undergoing motion, as if it was placed on a floating support structure. The results will be compared to experimental data and engineering tools. 

As part of TWIND, TU Delft will also deliver a series of training and networking events. The post-doctoral candidate will help organising these activities. In particular, the post-doc will create online tutorials on how to perform CFD simulations of floating offshore wind turbines. He/She will also help coordinate a summer school targetted at professionals and academics. Finally, the candidate will e-moderate an online course and extend its content to floating offshore wind.   

The candidate should be in possession of a PhD degree (or very near to completion) in one of the following areas:

• wind energy; 
• computational fluid dynamics;
• fluid-structure interactions;
• turbulence modelling;
• aerodynamics;
• hydrodynamics.

The 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. Coming to Delft Service organizes diverse events for new international employees and their accompanying partners, like Partner Career Workshops and Dutch Culture Workshops. Located on campus are the International Children’s Centre and an international primary school which are subjectto availability as well as several bilingual schools in the nearby surrounding. Salary and benefits are in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities.

You will have 232 hours of paid leave each year and in addition to your salary, at TU Delft you will receive an annual holiday allowance of 8% and a year-end bonus of 8.3% of your salary.

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 2,700 BSc and MSc students, 225 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.

https://www.tudelft.nl/en/ae/
 

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.