This PhD is part of the EU MSCA Doctoral Network TWEED whose overarching objective is to train the next generation of excellent researchers, equipped with a full set of technical and complementary skills, to develop high-impact careers in wind energy digitalisation.

Increasing the accuracy and reducing the uncertainty of long-term wind resource estimates when planning wind farms has the potential to increase P90 values, reducing the cost of capital and thus investment costs. Only in the last few years, has attention been focussed on the application of machine learning (ML) to wind resource assessment. The traditional approach has focussed on the use of numerical models and relatively simple statistical techniques such as Measure-Correlate-Predict (MCP). The availability of large amounts of meteorological and digitised terrain data from terrestrial and remote sensing equipment (e.g., satellites, lidar) as well as the ever-increasing resolution of reanalysis datasets provide a rich source of information for site specific resource assessment. Indeed, the proliferation of wind farms can provide an additional source of data, though access to such data may be commercially restricted. The application of machine learning to unlock the potential of these data is at an early stage. The specific objective of this PhD position is to investigate how ML can be used to produce more accurate resource assessments as an alternative to physical modelling and as a supplement considering onshore and offshore applications.

Being part of a MSCA Doctoral Network, you will have the opportunity to meet regularly and work closely with a group of your fellow PhD candidates, a distributed team of experts, both from academia and wind industry located all across Europe. You will also have the opportunity for two secondments (3 months each) in one industrial partner and one academic partner in the TWEED Doctoral Network.

The candidate should have an MSc degree in wind energy from a well-established university or an MSc degree in related engineering disciplines such as mechanical engineering, fluid dynamics, applied physics, or applied mathematics with proven experience (courses, projects, and work experience) in the field of wind engineering.

A combination of good mathematical and analytical skills and a strong interest in numerical modelling and data analysis are required. Experience with numerical fluid dynamics and knowledge of data-driven techniques is desirable.

Eligibility criteria
Fulfilment of eligibility criteria is dictated by the European Commission under the Horizon MSCA Doctoral Networks Programme. We welcome applications from PhD candidates from any country fulfilling the following mobility criteria:

• Eligible candidates must not have resided or carried out their main activity (work, studies, etc.) in the country of their first host institution for more than 12 months in the 3 years immediately before their recruitment by the host institution (i.e., the starting date indicated in the employment contract/equivalent direct contract).
• Eligible candidates must have a master’s degree relevant to the chosen position or its equivalent that would entitle them to a doctorate, awarded before the start of the positions.

Doing a PhD at TU Delft requires English proficiency at a certain level to ensure that the candidate is able to communicate and interact well, participate in English-taught Doctoral Education courses, and write scientific articles and a final thesis. For more details please check the Graduate Schools Admission Requirements.

Fixed-term contract: 4 years.

Doctoral candidates will be offered a 4-year period of employment in principle, but in the form of 2 employment contracts. An initial 1,5 year contract with an official go/no go progress assessment within 15 months. Followed by an additional contract for the remaining 2,5 years assuming everything goes well and performance requirements are met.

Salary and benefits are in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities, increasing from € 2770 per month in the first year to € 3539 in the fourth year. As a PhD candidate you will be enrolled in the TU Delft Graduate School. The TU Delft Graduate School provides an inspiring research environment with an excellent team of supervisors, academic staff and a mentor. The Doctoral Education Programme is aimed at developing your transferable, discipline-related and research skills.

From 1 September next, a salary increase of 3.7% applies due to a Collective Agreement amendment, followed by an additional 1% increase on 1 January 2025. In addition, most employees employed on 1 September 2024 will receive a one-off payment of €300 gross based on full-time employment.

The TU Delft offers a customisable compensation package, discounts on health insurance, and a monthly work costs contribution. Flexible work schedules can be arranged. 

For international applicants, TU Delft has the Coming to Delft Service. This service provides information for new international employees to help you prepare the relocation and to settle in the Netherlands. The Coming to Delft Service offers a Dual Career Programme for partners and they organise events to expand your (social) network.

Delft University of Technology

Delft University of Technology is built on strong foundations. As creators of the world-famous Dutch waterworks and pioneers in biotech, TU Delft is a top international university combining science, engineering and design. It delivers world class results in education, research and innovation to address challenges in the areas of energy, climate, mobility, health and digital society. For generations, our engineers have proven to be entrepreneurial problem-solvers, both in business and in a social context.

At TU Delft we embrace diversity as one of our core values and we actively engage to be a university where you feel at home and can flourish. We value different perspectives and qualities. We believe this makes our work more innovative, the TU Delft community more vibrant and the world more just. Together, we imagine, invent and create solutions using technology to have a positive impact on a global scale. That is why we invite you to apply. Your application will receive fair consideration.

Challenge. Change. Impact!

Faculty Aerospace Engineering

The Faculty of Aerospace Engineering at Delft University of Technology is one of the world’s most highly ranked (and most comprehensive) research, education and innovation communities devoted entirely to aerospace engineering. More than 200 science staff, around 270 PhD candidates and close to 3000 BSc and MSc students apply aerospace engineering disciplines to address the global societal challenges that threaten us today, climate change without doubt being the most important. Our focal subjects: sustainable aerospace, big data and artificial intelligence, bio-inspired engineering and smart instruments and systems. Working at the faculty means working together. With partners in other faculties, knowledge institutes, governments and industry, both aerospace and non-aerospace. Working in field labs and innovation hubs on our university campus and beyond. 

Click here to go to the website of the Faculty of Aerospace Engineering.

For more information about this position, please contact Prof. Simon Watson, e-mail: s.j.watson@tudelft.nl.