PhD student position in interaction effects between wave energy converters

We are now hiring a PhD student to our department, here you will have the possibility develop state-of-the-art knowledge in your field of research. You will also have the possibility to develop your communication skills verbally and in writing. 

Information about the research/the project/the division
At the Department of Mechanics and Maritime Sciences, Division of Marine Technology, fundamental and applied research for enabling the development and improvement of marine technology are carried out. We make propellers last longer and be quieter, we reduce the drag and improve the seakeeping properties of hulls, we design structures that perform better in collisions and require lower maintenance, we do all this and much more. All our activities are best presented through our core competences: Renewable energy, Energy efficiency, Structural integrity, Hydrodynamics, Ship design, Safety and reliability, Propulsion systems, Wave dynamics and Numerical methods. Besides research, our division is also involved in education at the master's and doctoral level. We supervise PhD students and deliver PhD courses. All courses are available to master and PhD students from other divisions or universities as elective courses.

A few full-scale single-unit wave energy converter (WEC) prototypes have been deployed in the ocean. Further commercialization requires installation of many WECs in array systems. The upscaling to array systems is a challenge due to interaction effects between WECs and their subcomponents. New design and assessment methods are needed which together with advanced simulation models
can be used to design array farms accounting for interaction effects for optimum system performance e.g. power, fatigue life, levelized cost of electricity (LCoE).

The PhD research project contributes to the development of such design methods and models. It is achieved by systems engineering, risk analyses and fully coupled hydrodynamic and structure response simulations. LCoE calculations are used to show how the LCoE is affected by WEC interaction effects in wave farms including the structural integrity of moorings and cables. Several show cases of different WEC technologies, sites of operation and array systems will simulated, analyzed and optimized for three different WEC concepts in cooperation with WEC development companies.

-The details of the departmental research activities may be found here.

Major responsibilities
As a PhD student, your major responsibilities are to pursue your own doctoral studies. You are will develop your own scientific concepts and communicate the results of your research verbally and in writing. The majority of your time will be devoted to the research.
PhD student positions also include teaching on Chalmers' undergraduate level and performing other departmental duties, corresponding in total to 10-20% of the working time.
You are expected to write a mid-term licentiate thesis and defend your doctoral thesis within 4.5 years. In addition, the PhD education includes taking courses corresponding to 60 ECTS credits.

Qualifications
To qualify as a PhD student, you must have a master's level degree corresponding to at least 240 higher education credits in:
Naval Architecture, Marine Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Engineering Physics or a relevant field. 

The position requires sound verbal and written communication skills in English. If Swedish is not your native language, you should be able to teach in Swedish after two years. Chalmers offers Swedish courses.

Courses in Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) and in Finite Element methods (FE) as well as experience in using the software package DNV SESAM are mritorious.

Position summary
Full-time temporary employment. The position is limited to a maximum of 4.5 years.

Chalmers continuously strives to be an attractive employer. Equality and diversity are substantial foundations in all activities at Chalmers.

Our offer to you
Chalmers offers a cultivating and inspiring working environment in the dynamic city of Gothenburg. 
Read more about working at Chalmers and our benefits for employees.

Application procedure
The application should be marked with Ref 20210120 and written in English. The application should be sent electronically and be attached as pdf-files, as below:

CV: (Please name the document: CV, Family name, Ref. number)
• CV
• Other, for example previous employments or leadership qualifications and positions of trust.
• Two references that we can contact.

Personal letter: (Please name the document as: Personal letter, Family name, Ref. number)
1-3 pages where you:
• Introduce yourself
• Describe your previous experience of relevance for the position (e.g. education, thesis work and, if applicable, any other research activities)
• Describe your future goals and future research focus

Other documents:
• Copies of bachelor and/or master’s thesis.
• Attested copies and transcripts of completed education, grades and other certificates, e.g. TOEFL test results.

Please use the button at the foot of the page to reach the application form. The files may be compressed (zipped).

Application deadline: 15 April 2021

For questions, please contact:
Jonas Ringsberg, Jonas.Ringsberg@chalmers.se, +46317721489

*** Chalmers declines to consider all offers of further announcement publishing or other types of support for the recruiting process in connection with this position. *** 
   



Chalmers University of Technology conducts research and education in engineering sciences, architecture, technology-related mathematical sciences, natural and nautical sciences, working in close collaboration with industry and society. The strategy for scientific excellence focuses on our six Areas of Advance; Energy, Health Engineering, Information and Communication Technology, Materials Science, Production and Transport. The aim is to make an active contribution to a sustainable future using the basic sciences as a foundation and innovation and entrepreneurship as the central driving forces. Chalmers has around 11,000 students and 3,000 employees. New knowledge and improved technology have characterised Chalmers since its foundation in 1829, completely in accordance with the will of William Chalmers and his motto: Avancez!