CDT in Wind and Marine Energy Systems and Structures (WAMSS)

Recruiting is now closed for 2022 entry

The Centre for Doctoral Training (CDT) in Wind and Marine Energy Systems and Structures (WAMSS) is funded by the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) and offered in partnership with the University of Oxford and Strathclyde. The Centre's multi-disciplinary research teams are working closely with industry to help develop its global position in the field and meet ambitious renewable energy targets. The Centre is committed to developing the new wave of highly skilled professionals needed to meet the energy challenge.

The Centre is recruiting 70 graduates over 5 years. The first intake started in October 2019. This unique opportunity combines training and research to enable graduates to make the transition into the wind and marine energy sector - a rapidly expanding area in the UK and overseas, with an overwhelming demand for well-qualified people.

The overall aim of the Research Centre is to meet the needs of the fast-growing offshore wind, wave and tidal energy industry, by providing high caliber PhD and EngD graduates with the specialist, generic and leadership skills necessary to lead future developments in offshore energy systems. The objectives are to ensure all students from different disciplines gain competencies in core aspects of offshore energy systems engineering and understand the socio-economic impact of these systems.

Studentships

This scholarship is funded by the CDT in Wind and Marine Energy Systems and Structures.  Self or externally funded International applicants are welcome to apply. Self or externally-funded students should state clearly in their application and any informal enquiry that they have they own funds.

For any query on the scholarships, please contact directly the Postgraduate Office of the School of Engineering: EngGradOffice@ed.ac.uk.

Programme

Depending on the specific research project and choice of optional training courses, the student will be awarded either an EngD or a PhD with Integrated Studies in Wind and Marine Energy Systems and Structures.

In the first 4 months of the PhD/EngD (from October to January), the student will attend the following courses:

  • Wind, Waves and Tides in Offshore Renewable Energy (ORE)
  • Aerodynamics and Hydrodynamics of ORE
  • Nacelle Mechanical and Electrical Technologies in ORE
  • Socio-Economic and Environmental Aspects of ORE
  • Safety, Risk and Reliability Offshore

These courses will be taught at Strathclyde University (Glasgow) by experts from industry and from the Universities of Edinburgh, Oxford and Strathclyde. In February of the first year, the students will begin their research project, which will be completed by the end of the 4th year. During this period, the student will also take additional taught courses including

  • Offshore Electrical Infrastructure
  • Mechanical Loading, Materials and Design in ORE
  • Intelligence and Control in ORE Turbines and Devices
  • Introduction to Offshore Geotechnics
  • Dynamics of Offshore Structures for ORE
  • Environmental Impact Assessment for ORE
  • Offshore Structural Integrity
  • Offshore Foundation Design
  • Numerical Analysis for Offshore Geotechnics
  • Advanced Fluid Mechanics for ORE
  • Scale and field testing for ORE

These additional courses will be delivered in blocks of one or two weeks at one of the three partner institutions (Edinburgh, Oxford and Strathclyde). 

How to apply

The CDT positions offered by the University of Edinburgh are for specific projects: Please check back here in 2023 for information on available projects.

Further Information: 

To find out more about the CDT in Wind and Marine Energy Systems and Structures, please contact EngGradOffice@ed.ac.uk.

An underwater photo of tidal turbines within the Flowave Ocean Energy Research facility at the University of Edinburgh
Tidal turbines within the Flowave Ocean Energy Research facility at the University of Edinburgh

 

 

Principal Supervisor: 

Prof Conchúr Ó Brádaigh, Dr Ignazio Maria Viola, Prof Vengatesan Venugopal, Dr Eddie McCarthy

Assistant Supervisor: 

Prof Conchúr Ó Brádaigh, Dr Ignazio Maria Viola, Prof Vengatesan Venugopal, Dr Eddie McCarthy

Eligibility: 

Minimum entry qualification - an Honours degree at 2:1 or above (or International equivalent) in a relevant science or engineering discipline, possibly supported by an MSc Degree.

Funding: 

Scholarships including salary and fees are funded by the CDT in Wind and Marine Energy Systems and Structures. Applications are welcomed also from self-funded students, and students who are applying for scholarships from the University of Edinburgh or elsewhere.

Informal Enquiries: 

EngGradOffice@ed.ac.uk