Postdoc in hybrid hydrogen/wind powered fossil-free ships

As one of the most popular transport sectors, shipping is committed to reducing greenhouse gas and particulate emissions to meet the IMO's 2050 emissions target. Fossil-free ships with the use of renewable energies will therefore be the focus in the future. In this project, you will take part in the development of a multidisciplinary simulation platform consisting of design, modelling, simulation and optimisation of fossil-free ships. We will systematically investigate a range of novel hybrid hydrogen- and wind-based propulsion systems as well as ship concepts in close collaboration with ship owners and suppliers.

Information about the Division
The Division of Marine Technology carries out fundamental and applied research for enabling the development and improvement of marine technology. 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 competencies: renewable energy, energy efficiency, structural integrity, hydrodynamics, ship design, safety and reliability, propulsion systems, wave dynamics, and numerical methods, etc. Besides research, our division is also involved in education at the master's and doctoral level. We are involved in the master program Mobility Engineering, and we are part of the Nordic Master in Maritime Engineering. 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.

Information about the research
Shipping is one of the most transport- and energy-efficient modes of transport with the advantage that ships can be used globally (between continents), regionally (between countries within a continent) or locally (e.g. coastal shipping, inland waterways). At the same time as transports by ships are increasing, there is a demand to reduce emissions of greenhouse gases and particles. To achieve the IMO’s emissions target by 2050, extensive research is required into the development of fossil-free ships.

The present project will advance the design of fossil-free ships to a level that a realistic and feasible design of a ship’s energy system will be proposed based on multiple design/operation disciplinary. This project will involve close collaboration with shipowners and suppliers, and the outcomes will be integrated in the updated ShipCLEAN simulation model, which has been developed at the Department of Mechanics and Maritime Sciences, Division of Marine Technology.

Major responsibilities
Your major responsibility will be to pursue the research and development within the project. You are expected to develop your own scientific ideas and concepts, and to communicate the results of your research verbally and in writing. You will be guided by the senior researchers involved in the project and have ample opportunities to develop an extended network in the field of modeling and simulation of hybrid hydrogen/wind-assisted powered propulsion systems for fossil-free ships, ship design and operation optimization.

The position may also include teaching on undergraduate and master's levels as well as supervising master's and/or PhD students to a certain extent. Another important aspect involves collaboration within academia and with society at large. The position is meritorious for future research duties within academia as well as industry/the public sector.

Contract terms
Full-time temporary employment. The position is limited to a maximum of two years (1+1).

Qualifications
To qualify as a Postdoctoral Researcher in the current project, you must have a PhD degree in a relevant field of marine engineering, ship design, naval architecture, propulsion systems, or similar. The position requires sound verbal and written communication skills in English, as well as an ability to plan and organize the work involved. Swedish is not a requirement but Chalmers offers Swedish courses.

You like to work independently and you plan and think strategically. You are creative and like to put new ideas into practice. You have a solid interest in scientific computing, and you understand and are able to handle numerical codes and data quickly and correctly. You like to work in interdisciplinary projects and you have the ability to discuss and communicate your work with people of different backgrounds. We also believe that you are a motivated person, with a strong curiosity and a genuine wish to learn more and develop your skills and knowledge further in the fields of research, research communication and project management.

Other suitable merits could be:
- Profound knowledge of systems engineering and propulsion systems.
- Skills in computer programming: Python and Matlab.
- Knowledge in data analysis (data mining, etc.), reduced order models and optimization.

Application procedure
Learn more and apply here: https://www.chalmers.se/en/about-chalmers/Working-at-Chalmers/Vacancies/Pages/default.aspx

Application deadline: 15 November, 2021

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