Research Associate in Mooring Force Analysis for a Wave Energy Converter

Wave energy globally has potential average power slightly less than wind but this has been unexploited to date. We are concerned here with high-capacity multi-float systems. The mooring is the most vulnerable structural component of any offshore wave energy converter. There is a widespread consensus in the wave energy community that mooring system design and modelling is a major challenge that needs to be overcome. Design, optimization, and assessment of mooring systems require efficient hydrodynamic and dynamic mooring models, which should be fully coupled to represent all interactions. Computational fluid dynamics simulations are computationally demanding and unreliable for complex dynamic problems. The aim of this project here is to generalise efficient linear hydrodynamic load models by including the fully nonlinear force component due to the pressure field in the waves, known as the Froude-Krylov force. This will be advanced through comparison with experimental wave basin tests and formally generalised through system identification, for single and multi-bodies with a range of mooring configurations in representative, generally multi-directional wave fields and currents. The convenient simplification of a modified linear wave input will also be assessed with a revised force formulation determined by system identification.

This is a unique opportunity for a post-doctoral research associate (PDRA) to work on project MoorWEC recently funded by the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) specialist Wave Energy call. The main objective of the project is to develop system identification (or data-driven) models for mooring systems and demonstrate their effectiveness.

As this role involves research at a postgraduate level, applicants who are not an EEA national or a national of an exempt country and who will require sponsorship under the Skilled Worker route of the UK Visas and Immigration’s (UKVI) Points Based System in order to take up the role, will be required to apply for an Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS) Certificate and will need to obtain this prior to making any official visa application UKVI)

As an equal opportunities employer we welcome applicants from all sections of the community regardless of age, sex, gender (or gender identity), ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation and transgender status. All appointments are made on merit.

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Blended working arrangements may be considered

Please note that we are unable to respond to enquiries, accept CVs or applications from Recruitment Agencies.

Enquiries about the vacancy, shortlisting and interviews:

Name: Dr Long Zhang

Email: long.zhang@manchester.ac.uk

General enquiries:

Email: People.recruitment@manchester.ac.uk

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This vacancy will close for applications at midnight on the closing date.

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