Research Associate in System Integration and Testing for the Advanced Control of Wave Energy Converters

Fixed Term up to 12 months

Full time, 35 hours per week  (part time hours may be considered)

Number of posts: 1

The Opportunity:

This Research Associate position, based at the FloWave Ocean Energy Research Facility, will contribute to the HAPiWEC (Holistic Advanced Prototyping and Interfacing for Wave Energy Control) Project within the Institute for Energy Systems at the University of Edinburgh, which is funded by EPSRC and in collaboration with colleagues at the University of Strathclyde, with partnering organisations: Centrale Nantes (France); NREL (USA); Renewable Dynamics Ltd. (UK); Wave Energy Scotland (UK); and WEAMEC (France).

The role will involve collaborating with a team of researchers with expertise in numerical modelling, physical modelling, and wave energy control. Furthermore, a key element of this project is liaising with wider wave energy and broader control communities. The job therefore offers an excellent opportunity for individuals to gain experience working with multi-disciplinary teams in academia and industry. 

Ultimately, this element of the project aims to provide a non-proprietary test rig which will be deployed in the University of Edinburgh’s FloWave test tank to support the development and equitable comparison of control methodologies. This role will lead on the delivery of this experimental programme, ensuring the equipment and experimental programme is fit for purpose. This will involve applying the knowledge gained from project stakeholders and the project’s numerical modelling partners and control experts to complete the design, construction and testing of the HAPiWEC test rig. 

Your skills and attributes for success:

• Relevant experience in Engineering or a clearly related area, with a focus on at least one of the following areas: electrical, mechanical or electro-mechanical engineering, fluid dynamics, marine/naval engineering, control.
• Track record of successful implementation of projects in a hydrodynamic test tank, or related facility, with a specific focus on system integration, instrumentation and data management. 
• Capable of working collaboratively with researchers from different disciplines or technical background, whilst being capable of working independently, exercising a high degree of initiative and demonstrating a pro-active and flexible approach to work.
• Experience in delivering research projects with a substantial experimental element; i.e. a record of peer-reviewed journal, conference papers or technical reports in a relevant area.

This role is UE07and is available on a fixed term basis for up to 12 months.

A full list of main responsibilities and the knowledge, skills and experience required for the role can be found in the full job description below.

To discuss this role please contact Dr Thomas Davey, School of Engineering, The University of Edinburgh via email at tom.davey@flowave.ed.ac.uk

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