Engd Position: Lidar-Assisted Wind Field Forecasting For Next-Gen Turbines - €3.029 A Month in Enschede

About the Project

Wind energy is a cornerstone of the global energy transition, but increasing the sustainability of the turbines themselves is critical. The ECOWIND project focuses on an integrated strategy to extend operational lifespans and reduce the overall weight of wind turbines. By innovating ways to lower mechanical loads on critical components and optimizing material usage, we aim to pave the way for a truly circular wind energy sector.

Your Role

A key pillar of ECOWIND is bridging the gap between remote sensing technology and real-time turbine control. Your focus will be the development of a predictive capability that allows turbines to react to the wind before it hits the blades.

Using upstream LiDAR measurements (taken several rotor diameters ahead), you will develop a wind field forecasting method, leveraging principles like Taylor’s Frozen Turbulence Hypothesis, to estimate incoming turbulent flow. You will then assess the method’s validity under real atmospheric conditions using a combination of LiDAR data and Large Eddy Simulation (LES) results.

Key Responsibilities:

Develop and refine numerical algorithms for real-time wind field forecasting.

Validate forecasting models against high-fidelity LES data and field measurements.

Quantify the impact of predictive adjustments on turbine performance and load reduction.

Communicate findings through technical reports and presentations to both academic and industrial audiences.

Your profile

Education: A Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Physics, or a related discipline.

Technical Skills: Experience with numerical algorithms and scientific software development.

Tools: Proficiency in Python (or similar) and/or wind turbine simulation software (e.G., OpenFAST).

Mindset: A "design-to-prototype" approach, eager to apply complex theoretical models to real-world industrial challenges.

Soft Skills: Excellent written and verbal communication skills;

a proactive, collaborative, and creative approach to problem-solving.

Our offer

Full-time 2-year EngD position with a tailor-made post-master design program that has an educational component (50%) as well as a design project (50%).

Access to a dynamic, high-quality, and collaborative research environment equipped with state-of-the-art facilities at the forefront of additive manufacturing research.

Opportunities for personal and professional growth within the interdisciplinary field of additive manufacturing and smart materials.

Excellent working conditions in an exciting scientific environment, set in a green and lively campus.

Dedicated mentorship and access to top-notch facilities.

Inclusion in a professional and personal development program within Graduate School Twente.

A salary of €3.029,- gross per month

Holiday allowance of 8% of the gross annual salary and a year-end bonus of 8.3%.

Minimum of 29 holidays per year for full-time employment.

Full employee status at the University of Twente, including pension and healthcare benefits.