Researcher/lecturer in Integrated Dynamics of Offshore Wind Turbines

**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:
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 (no