PhD Studentship: Parameterising Wakes for Oceanographic Models

Project details 

This PhD scholarship is offered by the EPSRC CDT in Offshore Wind Energy Sustainability and Resilience; a partnership between the Universities of Durham, Hull, Loughborough and Sheffield. The project is sponsored by industry partner, the Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (CEFAS). The successful applicant will undertake six-month of training with the rest of the CDT cohort at the University of Hull before continuing their PhD research at Loughborough University. The project is part of a Research Cluster focussing on Predicting Offshore Wind wake interactions for Energy and the enviRonment (POWER). 

This project aims to advance sea-surface parameterisations of atmospheric offshore wind farm wakes for use in oceanographic models, directly supported by the National Oceanography Centre, using the North-West European Shelf FVCOM model. This aim will be realised through the following objectives:

• Explore literature and gather/generate datasets required for model validation
• Develop and validate wake parameterisations
• Explore the influence of solution sensitivity to model parameters
• Explore the potential impacts of future offshore wind development on North Sea oceanography

Completion of these objectives will deliver a functional oceanographic model for future research into impacts of offshore wind deployment to inform marine spatial planning. 

For more information, visit the project webpage. 

Supervisors 

• Prof Rob Dorrell, Loughborough University
• Dr Charlie Lloyd, University of Hull
• Dr Majid Bastankhah, Durham University
• Dr Jennifer Graham, Centre for Environment Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (CEFAS)

Training and skills

You will benefit from a taught programme, giving you a broad understanding of the breadth and depth of current and emerging offshore wind sector needs. This begins with an intensive six-month programme at the University of Hull for the new student intake, drawing on the expertise and facilities of all four academic partners. It is supplemented by Continuing Professional Development (CPD), which is embedded throughout your 4-year research scholarship.

You will undertake two three-week placements at NOC during the PhD programme to provide support with FVCOM. The first placement will occur at the start of year 2 where the basics of FVCOM will be taught. The second placement will occur at the start of year 3 to learn how to set up and validate FVCOM simulations, and implement parameterisations.

Entry requirements

If you have received a First-class Honours degree, or a 2:1 Honours degree and a Masters, or a Distinction at Masters level with any undergraduate degree (or the international equivalents) in engineering, environmental science, mathematics and statistics or physics, we would like to hear from you. The ideal candidate for this project will have studied fluid mechanics/physical oceanography to a high level as part of their undergraduate degree.

If your first language is not English, or you require Tier 4 student visa to study, you will be required to provide evidence of your English language proficiency level that meets the requirements of the CDT’s academic partners. This course requires academic IELTS 7.0 overall, with no less than 6.0 in each skill.

Funding

The Offshore Wind CDT is funded by EPSRC, allowing us to provide scholarships for Home students that cover fees plus a stipend set at the UKRI nationally agreed rates, £19,795 per annum at 2025/26 rates (subject to progress). In addition, a number of scholarships will be made available for International students.

Contact details 

Email: auracdt@hull.ac.uk

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