PhD-position within renewable energy – Risk analysis of wave energy conversion - Hiring in process/Finished, not possible to apply

The department of engineering sciences are one of the largest departments at Uppsala University and conduct research within several engineering subjects. The department have around 360 employees and have its activity within the Ångström laboratory and Campus Gotland.

The division for electricity represents Sweden’s leading research group in renewable electric energy conversion, and one of the leading groups in Ocean Energy in the world. Within the division, research activities are ongoing in several key areas of renewable energy, such as wind, wave, tidal and hydro power. The current global situation with fossil fuels as the main source of energy is unsustainable and the reason why new technologies need to be developed.

The division for Electricity has successfully deployed and operated eleven Wave energy Converters (WECs) and two marine substations with an accumulated time of operation of close to three years at the Lysekil wave energy research test site, for more information see www.teknik.uu.se/electricity.

Project description: This PhD project will focus on extreme forces and risk analysis of wave energy converters via numerical, analytical and physical modeling. The PhD students will develop physical models and simulation tools and conduct small scale experiments. Force data shall be generated, analyzed and the probability of failures in mechanical subsystems subjected to extreme loads shall be defined and the data’s reliability assessed. The goal with this project is to improve survivability and reliability of critical mechanical components of wave energy converters and to give guidelines on robust and cost effective dimensioning of mechanical components.

The PhD position is financed by the Swedish Energy Agency under the project title Improved reliability and survivability of mechanical wave energy subsystems, a project led by Uppsala university in collaboration with Chalmers University of Technology, Research Institutes of Sweden (RISE), Aalborg University and Plymouth University, which gives an international approach to the project. We offer a varied and exciting work that is designed by the PhD candidates together with the research team.

Duties: The main duties of doctoral students are to devote themselves to their research studies which includes participating in research projects and third cycle courses. The work duties can also include teaching and other departmental duties (no more than 20%).

Admission requirements: A person meets the general admission requirements for third-cycle courses and study programmes if he or she:

• has been awarded a second-cycle qualification, or
• has satisfied the requirements for courses comprising at least 240 credits of which at least 60 credits were awarded in the second cycle, or
• has acquired substantially equivalent knowledge in some other way in Sweden or abroad.

Requirements:

• Degree or equivalent as above in engineering or science.
• Very good oral and written proficiency in English.
• Experience of risk analysis as well as experience in experimental measurement technology, will be considered as merits.

Application: Please use the link below. Applications should include a brief description of research interests and relevant experience, a CV, copies of diplomas and certificates, thesis (or a draft thereof) and other relevant documents. The candidates are encouraged to provide letter(s) of recommendation and contact information to reference persons.

Rules governing Ph.D. candidates are set out in the Higher Education Ordinance Chapter 5, §§ 1-7 and in Uppsala university's rules and guidelines http://regler.uu.se/search/?hits=30&languageId=1&search-language_en=English

Uppsala University strives to be an inclusive workplace that promotes equal opportunities and attracts qualified candidates who can contribute to the University’s excellence and diversity. We welcome applications from all sections of the community and from people of all backgrounds.

Salary: According to local agreement for PhD students and teaching assistants.  

Starting date: Spring 2019, but not earlier than April.

Type of position: Full time position, four years.

For further information about the position please contact Jens Engström, phone: +46 18 4715818, e-mail: jens.engstrom@angstrom.uu.se

Please submit your application by 28 February 2019, UFV-PA 2019/164.

Are you considering moving to Sweden to work at Uppsala University? If so, you will find a lot of information about working and living in Sweden at www.uu.se/joinus. You are also welcome to contact International Faculty and Staff Services at ifss@uadm.uu.se.