LEDIG STILLING VED UNIVERSITETET I AGDER

PhD Research Fellow in integrated design and analysis of modular floating energy islands

Deadline: 06.03.2023

University of Agder

The University of Agder has more than 1500 employees and almost 14 000 students. This makes us one of the largest workplaces in Southern Norway. Our staff research, teach and disseminate knowledge from a variety of academic fields. Co-creation of knowledge is our common vision. We offer a broad range of study programmes in many fields. We are situated at two modern campuses in Kristiansand and Grimstad respectively.


We are an open and inclusive university marked by a culture of cooperation. The aim of the university is to further develop education and research at a high international level.

About the position

A 100 % position is available at the University of Agder, Faculty of Engineering and Science as a PhD Research Fellow in integrated design and analysis of floating modular energy island affiliated to the Department of Engineering Sciences, University of Agder, for a period of three years. The position is located, at the present, at Campus Grimstad. The starting date is negotiable with the Faculty.

The Department of Engineering Sciences has more than 90 employees in scientific positions, and more than 1500 students at all levels. A variety of research is conducted within all the groups; Mechatronics, Renewable Energy, Civil Engineering and Industrial Economy, and we also welcome interdisciplinary projects within the department or with other research groups. This position will be associated with the Civil Engineering section. We have a broad international cooperation, and close collaboration with industrial partners and public services in the region. This is a benefit both for teaching and research. The partners contribute with assignments, competence and resources.

Responsibilities

Project Background

The land resource is very limited for many countries and there is a constant need for clean energy in Europe to faciliate green transition. To address this need, one possible alternative is to develop cost-effective concepts of floating energy islands that can produce renewable energy, e.g., wind and solar. To survive offshore conditions and to have good operability, the structural systems can be designed using lightweight materials with a smart use of moorings and mechanical connections. A good design should address uncertainties in material properties, environmental load effects, and various internal and external conditions during the design lifetime.

Research objectives

This PhD study will focus on development of novel concepts of floating energy islands. Advanced numerical simulation tools (finite element, multibody dynamics, and fluid dynamics programs), stochastic theory, optimisation methods, are expected to be applied during the study. The aim of this PhD study is to understand the technical and economic feasibility of interesting concepts for offshore conditions.

Required qualifications

  • Applicants must have an MSc (or equivalent) degree in marine technology, mechanical engineering, civil engineering, renewable energy, or a similar engineering discipline. Fundamental knowledge is required of structural and fluid mechanics and design methods for offshore structures.
  • Good knowledge of English, both written and oral, is also required.

A prerequisite for employment is that the candidate is to be admitted to UiA’s PhD programme at the Faculty of Engineering and Science. To be admitted into the PhD programme in Engineering and Science, the applicant must hold a master's degree in a subject area relevant to the research area from a Norwegian university or qualifications approved as equivalent.

As a general rule, the following should normally apply:

  • The average grade for courses included in the bachelor's degree (or equivalent) should be C (or equivalent) or higher.
  • The average grade for all courses (including the dissertation) in the master’s degree should be B (or equivalent) or higher.
  • The master's dissertation (or equivalent) should have the grade B (or equivalent) or higher.
  • When the applicant's average grades are lower than required, the hosting research group at the Faculty of Engineering and Science must document the probability of the applicant being able to complete the PhD programme. In such an event, the Faculty of Engineering and Science may recommend extra requirements to be included in the basis for admission.
  • Competence in English is a requirement for all applicants to the PhD programme. International candidates that are not exempt from the English language requirements pursuant to the guidelines of the Norwegian Agency for Quality Assurance in Education (NOKUT), must document this through one of the following tests with the stated results or better:
    • TOEFL - Test of English as a Foreign Language with a minimum score of 600 for the Paperbased Test (PBT), or 92 for the Internet-based Test (iBT)
    • IELTS - International English Language Testing System, with the result of 6.5

Further provisions relating to the positions as PhD Research Fellows can be found in the Regulations Concerning Terms and Conditions of Employment for the post of Post-Doctoral Research Fellow, Research Assistant and Resident.

Desired qualifications

  • Work experiences within the offshore industry;
  • Strong programming and analytical skills;
  • A solid background in mathematics and physics;
  • Previous research experiences and publications.

We offer

  • membership and participation in Industrial Research School in Complex Systems, ref. https://inrescos.usn.no/
  • professional development in a large, exciting and socially influential organisation
  • a positive, inclusive and diverse working environment
  • modern facilities and a comprehensive set of welfare offers
  • membership of the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund

More about working at UiA.

The position is remunerated according to the State Salary Scale, salary plan 17.515, code 1017 PhD Research Fellow, NOK 501 200 gross salary per year. A compulsory pension contribution to the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund is deducted from the pay according to current statutory provisions.

General information

A good working environment is characterised by its diversity. We therefore encourage all qualified candidates to apply for the position, irrespective of gender, age, disability or cultural background. The University of Agder is an IW (Inclusive Workplace).

The successful applicant will have rights and obligations in accordance with the current regulations for the position, and organisational changes and changes in the duties and responsibilities of the position must be expected. Appointment is made by the University of Agder’s Appointments Committee for Teaching and Research Positions.

Short-listed applicants will be invited for interview. With the applicant’s permission, UiA will also conduct a reference check before appointment. Read more about the employment process.

In accordance with the Freedom of Information Act § 25 (2), applicants may request that they are not identified in the open list of applicants. The University, however, reserves the right to publish the names of applicants. Applicants will be advised of the University’s intention to exercise this right.

Application

The application and any necessary information about education and experience (including diplomas and certificates) are to be sent electronically. Use the link "Apply for the position".

The following documentation must be uploaded electronically:

  • CV with a complete list of scientific publications.
  • Transcripts for Master and Bachelor study. When attaching a non-Norwegian academic transcript that does not include a description of the grading system (e.g. maximum grade and minimum passing grade) used by the issuing institution, a (preferably official) description should also be attached. The description may simply contain a link to an official website where the grading system is explained.
  • Master thesis or link.
  • Up to five representative publications or links.
  • English certificate (IELTS or TOEFL) for international candidates who are not exempt from the English language requirements.
  • Project description on modular floating energy island with a maximum of 2 pages, including reference list. The outline should present and discuss possible research questions, theory perspectives, material, and a progress plan.
  • Any other relevant documentation

The applicant is fully responsible for submitting complete digital documentation before the closing date. All documentation must be available in a Scandinavian language or English.

Application deadline: 06.03.23

Contact

For questions about the position:

For questions about the application process:

Apply for the position

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