Postdoctoral Research Assistant in Experimental Fluid Mechanics

We are seeking a full-time Postdoctoral Research Assistant to join the Environmental Fluid Mechanics research group at the Department of Engineering Science (central Oxford).  The post is funded by the EPSRC and is fixed-term for 3 years with the possibility of extension.

The role is to design and test tidal stream turbines for renewable energy generation. You will work jointly on the Supergen ORE Hub Tidal Turbine Benchmarking project leading testing of a highly instrumented turbine in waves and currents, and on the recently announced EPSRC-funded programme CoTide developing and testing innovative designs for tidal energy systems. You will contribute to the design of laboratory turbines, and be responsible for coordinating their manufacture and assembly. You will lead turbine testing campaigns at Oxford and external facilities and related data analysis.

You will work within a large team of researchers working on wind and tidal energy projects in Oxford and the wider Supergen ORE Hub. You will be part of the CoTide project team which brings together world-leading centres at the Universities of Oxford, Edinburgh, Strathclyde and Sheffield. CoTide’s team of around 35 researchers and academics will develop holistic integrated models covering all aspects of tidal stream turbine design that will help to reduce costs and support innovation to accelerate technology development and deployment for the tidal stream industry.

You should possess a relevant PhD (or be near completion) in Engineering or a related discipline, have a strong background and relevant experience in experimental fluid mechanics, and possess excellent communication skills. 

Informal enquiries may be addressed to Prof. Willden (email: [email protected])

For more information about working at the Department, see www.eng.ox.ac.uk/about/work-with-us/

Only online applications received before midday on 8th January 2024 can be considered. You will be required to upload a covering letter/supporting statement, including a brief statement of research interests (describing how past experience and future plans fit with the advertised position), CV and the details of two referees as part of your online application.

The Department holds an Athena Swan Bronze award, highlighting its commitment to promoting women in Science, Engineering and Technology.

Tidal energy, offshore renewable energy, fluid mechanics, experimental, tidal turbine.