Available Positions

Improving the fatigue life assessment of offshore wind turbine support structures by considering manufacturing imperfections

This 4-year EngD vacancy is funded by EPSRC and Siemens Gamesa Renewable Energy through an industrial CASE award. (If you are interested in this vacancy, please contact Prof. Ali Mehmanparast ali.mehmanparast@strath.ac.uk)

Critical assessment of end of design life fatigue damage analysis for life-extension of offshore wind infrastructure

This 4-year EngD vacancy is funded through an EPSRC DTP award and is supported by COWI. (If you are interested in this vacancy, please contact Prof. Ali Mehmanparast ali.mehmanparast@strath.ac.uk)

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Focus: Voltage stability

This 4-year PhD/EngD vacancy is funded through an EPSRC and Oceans Wind (OW).

(If you are interested in this vacancy, please contact Prof. James Carroll j.carroll@strath.ac.uk)

Enabling early identification of opportunities that have the greatest impact on lifetime, and therefore business cases

This 4-year EngD vacancy is funded through by EPSRC and SSE renewables. (If you are interested in this vacancy, please contact the CDT Administrator Andrew Smith drew.smith@strath.ac.uk)

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Coming soon...

Strathclyde Game Changers

2023 Summer Research Placements

The University of Strathclyde is constantly looking to improve its research output and working environments. A key aspect of this is ensuring we build teams made up of diverse groups of thinkers and problem solvers, collaborating in supportive and inclusive environments. We know that the best results are achieved when different voices and different points of view are all brought together. In order to foster the next generation of game changing researchers, we have therefore established a program of internships to demystify research and ensure the possibilities of academia are open to all.

The Game Changers program offers fully funded 8-12 week internships and placements, in engineering disciplines, to students sitting between first year undergraduate and masters degree level studies. Each project sees a candidate joining an active research team and/or industrial partner, and working alongside them throughout. Interns will have a chance to see, experience and contribute to real life research, gaining valuable insight into PhD studies, academic life and the engineering industry. They will also learn valuable skills which can aid them in their studies and future projects. Most importantly, these internships help bring the world of research out from behind closed doors, exposing new minds to a world of possibilities where their skills and insights can provide valuable contributions in the years to come.

In order to apply to a specific project, please submit an up-to-date CV and covering letter which details:
1) The project to which you are applying
2) Why you are excited by your chosen project
3) Why you are keen to participate in a scheme designed to improve the diversity and inclusiveness of research teams.

Application documents should be submitted to edward.hart@strath.ac.uk. The submission deadline is 5pm on Friday 17th March 2023. Interviews will take place in early April 2023. If you have any questions or would like to discuss this opportunity, please get in touch via the same email address.

Diversity statement: If you’ve got the right skills for any of these roles then we want to hear from you. We encourage applications from candidates regardless of age, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, belief or race.
Project

Projects

Project: Assessing efficiency improvements to offshore windfarm installation from a novel semi-submersible vessel

 Location: Glasgow, UK
 Duration of the internship: 10-12 weeks
 Starting date: Flexible, likely around beginning of June
 Working pattern: Generally 9-5, 5 days a week, but flexibility is offered

This project offers an exciting opportunity to work with a Strathclyde research team while embedded within the SSE Renewables Transport and Installation team. This promises to provide the candidate with a unique perspective on research and innovation resulting from collaborative efforts between academia and industry.

Background and motivation: In recent years, the construction of offshore wind farms has accelerated as countries strive to increase the proportion of renewable energy in their overall energy mix. Offshore wind offers significant advantages compared to onshore developments, including higher wind speeds and vast areas suitable for wind farm development. However, the offshore environment poses serious challenges for the installation of wind turbines offshore.

To improve the efficiency of offshore windfarm installation, Huisman has developed the Windfarm Installation Vessel (WIV); a semi-submersible vessel with a 3D motion compensated crane. The novel installation vessel is designed to install Wind Turbine Generator (WTG) onto floating substructures. The WIV is claimed to offer a viable and cost-effective installation method for floating windfarms. By assembling the complete WTG on board, off the critical path, a very high workability can be achieved.

What will you do? This project will undertake a detailed study of the possible efficiency savings afforded by WIV deployment for real offshore wind sites off the UK coastline. Supported by experts at SSE and the University of Strathclyde, you will become embedded within the SSE Transport and Installation team, be trained in the use of access and installation simulation software, and interact directly with Huisman and other key industry contacts. In the course of this project, a model representation of the WIV vessel and its unique capabilities will be added to current SSE analysis capabilities. Following this, you will be supported to undertake extensive case-study assessments and subsequent analyses that will comprehensively detail WIV deployment's potential impact on floating offshore wind farm installation efficiencies.

An outline project plan is as follows:

Receive training and support to become proficient in relevant software and associated models
Review the current installation process for floating offshore wind to determine a baseline scenario
Undertake a deep dive into the WIV concept, including direct interactions with Huisman. This will allow for accurate modelling of this vessel and its capabilities
Undertake a number of guided case-study analyses for offshore wind sites around the UK
Working with Strathclyde and SSE experts you will then analyse your results, report your findings and make your recommendations.

This project will directly support SSE in a priority decision-making area. You, therefore, have the opportunity to make your own, very real, contribution to the UK’s move towards a greener future.

Required skills and experience: This project is best suited to a student currently studying an engineering, mathematics, physics or other STEM degree. Candidates should have demonstrable communication and problem solving skills as well as an interest in renewables. Coding and/or modelling experience is also desirable.