PhD Research Fellow in Design and Analysis of Floating Solar Arrays

About the position

A fixed-term 100 % position as a PhD Research Fellow in Civil and Structural Engineering, is available at the University of Agder, Faculty of Engineering and Science. The position is affiliated with the Department of Engineering Sciences and is offered for a period of three years. The position is located at Campus Grimstad. The starting date is agreed with the Faculty.

The Department of Engineering Sciences has more than 120 employees in scientific positions and more than 1500 students at all levels. A wide range of research activities is conducted across the department’s research groups: Mechatronics, Renewable Energy, Civil Engineering, and Industrial Economy. Interdisciplinary projects within the department or with other research groups are also welcome.

This position will be affiliated with the Civil Engineering section. The department has extensive international collaboration and works closely with industrial partners and public-sector organisations in the region. These collaborations provide valuable opportunities for both teaching and research. Our partners contribute assignments, expertise and resources.

Project background

The position is associated with a recently awarded EU project, HelioSea. The project aims to develop innovative interconnected floating solar arrays for offshore sites. The project will assess innovative concepts under various environmental conditions, investigate systems integration and the co-location of different marine renewable energy devices, and conduct techno-economic analyses.

Responsibilities

The PhD research fellow will conduct research on the design and analysis of multibody floating solar systems under offshore environmental conditions. Such systems are typically characterised by lightweight floats with mechanical connectors and mooring systems.

The work will involve analytical modelling and numerical analysis of multibody hydrodynamics. Structural analysis may also be included, depending on the research focus. The candidate is expected to work collaboratively in an international research environment.

The research will include preparing and submitting research reports, publishing high-quality scientific articles, and participating in dissemination activities at the European level.

Required qualifications

Applicants must hold a master’s degree in Marine Technology, Mechanical Engineering, Civil Engineering, or a closely related field. Applicants must have their master’s thesis approved by the application deadline.

Applicants are expected to have in-depth knowledge of several of the following subjects:

• Marine hydrodynamics
• Structural Dynamics
• Physics-based simulations of marine structures
• Stochastic analysis methods
• Design optimization

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. 
• 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 Internetbased Test (iBT)
  • IELTS - International English Language Testing System, with the result of 6.5

Criteria for positions as PhD Research Fellow (in Norwegian).

Desired qualifications

• Research experience and a record of scientific publications
• Strong analytical and programming skills
• Research or work experience related to offshore structures

Personal qualities

The assessment will place emphasis on personal suitability, teamwork skills and relevant practical experience. Research fellows are expected to contribute to the active research community at the University. The position requires the ability to work independently towards defined goals, maintain focus and pay attention to detail.

We offer

• Professional development in a large, exciting and socially important organisation
• A positive, inclusive and diverse working environment
• Modern facilities and comprehensive welfare schemes
• Membership in 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 550 800 gross salary per year. A compulsory pension contribution to the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund will be deducted from the salary according to current statutory provisions.

General information

UiA is an open and inclusive university. We believe that diversity enriches the workplace and makes us better. We, therefore, encourage qualified candidates to apply for the position independent of gender, age, cultural background, disability or an incomplete CV.

Women are strongly encouraged to apply for the position. 

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. The engagement is to be made in accordance with the regulations in force concerning the acts relating to Control of Export of Strategic Goods, Services and Technology.

Appointment is made by the University of Agder’s Appointments Committee for Teaching and Research Positions. A background check may be conducted to verify information that appears in available documents. Background checks are always done with the applicant's consent, and employment in the position requires an approved background check. Relevant applicants will receive further information.

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

Applications, including documentation of education and experience (such as diplomas and certificates), must be submitted electronically via the link “Apply for this job”.

The following documentation must be uploaded electronically:

• Academic transcripts showing grades from bachelor’s and master’s degree programmes
• A CV detailing education and work experience
• Up to 10 academic articles or R&D projects that the candidate wishes to emphasise in the assessment process
• A brief project description related to the research topic described above.  (maximum two pages) The project description should outline proposed research questions, methods and relevance to floating solar arrays.

The applicant is fully responsible for submitting complete digital documentation by the application deadline. All documentation must be available in a Scandinavian language or English.

Application deadline: 01.12.26.

Contact

For questions about the position:

• Professor Zhiyu Jiang, tel. +47 451 01 672, e-mail zhiyu.jiang@uia.no 
• Head of Department Paul R. Svennevig, tel. +47 37 23 32 54, e-mail paul.r.svennevig@uia.no 

For questions about the application process:

• HR-adviser Heidi Kristensen, tel. +47 38 14 13 79, e-mail heidi.kristensen@uia.no 

Creating knowledge together

When people who are committed come together to further knowledge, anything is possible.

The University of Agder combines the unique warmth and charm of Southern Norway with first-class scientific, technological and artistic expertise.

Would you like to work with us to create better solutions to our shared challenges?