PhD Studentship: Uncertainty Quantification of Wake Modelling for Offshore Wind Farms

Application deadline: 30/11/2025

This 3.5-year PhD project is fully funded and home students, and EU students with settled status, are eligible to apply. The successful candidate will receive an annual tax-free stipend set at the UKRI rate (£20,780 for 2025/26; subject to annual uplift), and tuition fees will be paid. We expect the stipend to increase each year. 

The installed capacity of offshore wind farms in the UK and neighbouring countries is expected to triple in less than five years. Newer wind farms are also deploying very large turbines of 14 MW or more, meaning that wake effects between farms at relatively close proximity can be relevant when considering their annual energy production. This project will examine the uncertainty of various types of numerical models, from fast-computing engineering wake models to mesoscale simulations with wind-farm parametrisation, when predicting wake effects and thus annual energy production. The student will improve current models used by industry such as implementing engineering wake models in WRF or similar activities. Production data from simulations will be compared with grid data for validation. She/he will closely work with industry and policy makers. Candidates must have proven ability to work with large datasets, coding with Python/Fortran/C++ and ideally experience with high-performance computing. Applicants from an industry background are encouraged, especially if working on a related topic of wind energy.

Applicants should have a MEng or MSc degree in Civil, Mechanical or Aeronautical Engineering with at least 2:1 honours.

To apply, please contact the main supervisor, Dr Ouro - pablo.ouro@manchester.ac.uk. Please include details of your current level of study, academic background and any relevant experience and include a paragraph about your motivation to study this PhD project.

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