PhD Studentship: The performance of pontoons for offshore solar energy

Director of Studies (DoS): Dr Jon Miles (jrmiles@plymouth.ac.uk)

2nd Supervisor: Dr Dave Simmonds (dsimmonds@plymouth.ac.uk)

3rd Supervisor: Dr James Allen (James.Allen@plymouth.ac.uk)

Applications are invited for a 3.5-year EPSRC funded UDLA PhD studentship. The studentship will start on 1st October 2026.

Project Description

Offshore solar energy is an emerging and highly promising technology for expanding the UK’s renewable energy portfolio and reducing reliance on land based infrastructure. This PhD project will investigate the hydrodynamic performance of floating pontoons used to support offshore solar installations, generating new understanding to underpin future large scale deployment in environments such as the Celtic Sea.

The successful applicant will work at the forefront of marine renewable energy research, combining laboratory experimentation, computational modelling, and data analysis. Experimental work will be carried out in the world class COAST laboratory, examining floating offshore structure dynamics including wave transmission and reflection, overtopping, mooring loading, and motion response across a range of realistic wave conditions. Numerical modelling using OpenFOAM and Delft3D will complement site characterisation and physical testing, enabling exploration of hydrodynamic behaviour at device and array scales.

The project is supported by industry partners Moffat & Nichol, who will contribute expertise and in kind collaboration, providing excellent opportunities for real world impact and knowledge transfer. Outcomes are expected to inform best practice guidance for offshore solar deployment and contribute to the future co location of solar and wind arrays.

The studentship offers full training in experimental methods, data analysis (MATLAB), CFD, offshore renewable energy principles, with interdisciplinary contributions spanning hydrodynamics, naval architecture, energy systems and coastal engineering.

This project is ideal for candidates with backgrounds in engineering, ocean science, physics, maths, or related disciplines who are motivated to contribute to the future of clean energy.

Eligibility

Applicants should have a first or upper second class honours degree in an appropriate subject and preferably a relevant Masters qualification. Applications from both UK and overseas students are welcome.

The studentship is supported for 3.5 years and includes full Home tuition fees, Bench fee plus a Stipend of £21,805 per annum 2026/27 rate. The studentship will only fully fund those applicants who are eligible for Home fees with relevant qualifications. Applicants normally required to cover International fees will have to cover the difference between the Home and the International tuition fee rates. The international component of the fee may be waived for outstanding international applicants.

There is no additional funding available to cover NHS Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) costs, visa costs, flights etc.

• The studentship is supported for 3.5 years of the four-year registration period. The subsequent 6 months of registration is a self-funded ‘writing-up’ period.
• You can’t work full time while receiving a PhD stipend.

If you wish to discuss this project further informally, please contact Dr Jon Miles (jrmiles@plymouth.ac.uk)

To apply for this position please click on the Apply button above.

Please see here for a list of supporting documents to upload with your application.

For more information on the admissions process generally, please contact research.degree.admissions@plymouth.ac.uk

The closing date for applications is 12 noon on 24 April 2026. Shortlisted candidates will be invited for interview shortly thereafter. We regret that we may not be able to respond to all applications. Applicants who have not received a response within six weeks of the closing date should consider their application has been unsuccessful on this occasion.

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