Postdoc in Modal Analysis and Digital Twins of Offshore Jacket Foundations

This postdoc project is your opportunity to develop the next generation of modal analysis tools for analyzing offshore wind turbine foundations. The project aims at advancing modal analysis-based methods for damage detection and life-time assessment of jacket-type foundations for offshore wind turbines in the deep-water and cold-climate environment.

This fully funded postdoc project is your opportunity to develop the next generation of modal analysis tools for analyzing offshore wind turbine foundations. The project is part of a large European partnership (CETP), in which the Danish consortium - DTU Construct and Rambøll Energy - aims at advancing modal analysis-based methods for damage detection and life-time assessment of jacket-type foundations for offshore wind turbines in the deep-water and cold-climate environment. You will be employed at DTU Construct, the Section of Solid Mechanics, and work in close collaboration with Rambøll, using their True Digital Twin software and non-linear FE tool (ROSAP) for accurate model updating and damage detection, while the aeroelastic code HAWC2 is applied to accurately represent the coupling with the wind turbine. If you want to join this endeavor towards better modelling and understanding of offshore wind turbines, then please apply for the present Postdoc position, which also offers a close collaboration with the other international project partners at e.g. Gdansk Tech, KU Leuven, DLR, Siemens Digital Industries Software, among others. 

Responsibilities and qualifications

The Postdoc project concern modal analysis, numerical model updating, virtual sensing, and experimental characterization of jacket-type foundations for wind turbines. The overall aim of the project is to detect and quantify the influence of large temperature changes, environmental and operational variability on structural properties of a jacket-like foundation experienced when erecting offshore wind farms in severe cold-climate environments. The specific Danish project package involves (1) the further improvement of Rambøll’s True Digital Twin software (ROSAP, LACflex), (2) the coupling of jacket structure models in ROSAP with wind turbines implemented in HAWC2 and (3) the validation of the digital twin’s damage prediction by using lab-scale experiments in a cold-chamber facility. The project relies on a close collaboration with international academic and industrial partners, and it will be your responsibility as our new postdoc to align the Danish results for the jacket foundation, with the other partner’s results for gear box and blades.  

The preferred candidate shall have a background/experience in the following areas: 

• Structural dynamics and modal analysis
• Structural analysis and Finite Element (FE) modelling of structures
• Modelling and analysis of wind turbines
• Programming skills (python, MATLAB) 

As a formal qualification, you must hold a PhD degree (or equivalent).  

Salary and terms of employment 

The appointment will be based on the collective agreement with the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations. The allowance will be agreed upon with the relevant union. 

The period of employment is 22 months with a starting date no later than 1 February 2025. 

Application procedure 

To apply, please read the full job advertisement by clicking the 'Apply' button

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