The EPSRC CDT in Offshore Wind Energy Sustainabilty and Resilience will welcome over 65 funded doctoral researchers between 2024 and 2028.
Recruitment is currently closed. We will open recruitment in Autumn 2025 for research scholarships with September 2026 entry. See the list of planned projects below.
Join us to tackle some of the biggest research challenges, in a supportive environment where you can grow your own career while you help grow the offshore wind industry.
The CDT is a partnership between Hull, Durham, Loughborough and Sheffield universities, along with over 40 industry partners. To join us, you will apply for a specific funded research project and enrol at the partner university where your lead supervisor is based.
You will benefit from a taught programme, giving you a broad understanding of the breadth and depth of current and emerging offshore wind sector needs. This begins with an intensive six-month programme at the University of Hull for the new student intake, drawing on the expertise and facilities of all four academic partners. It is supplemented by Continuing Professional Development (CPD), which is embedded throughout your 4-year research scholarship.
If your research will be based at Durham, Loughborough or Sheffield, we may be able to offer 6 month, on campus University of Hull rental contracts to cover the initial training period.
PROJECT TITLE
LEAD SUPERVISOR
HOST INSTITUTION
INDUSTRY SUPPORT
Dr Simona Rasciute
Loughborough University
The Crown Estate – Project co-sponsor
Dr James Maguire
University of Sheffield
Dr Elisabeth Bowman
University of Sheffield
Dr Julian Dean
University of Sheffield
Siemens Gamesa
Dr Majid Basthankhah
Durham University
ORE Catapult
Dr Wangcheng Zhang
Durham University
Prof James Gilbert
University of Hull
Prof Antonio Griffo
University of Sheffield
ORE Catapult
Dr Andrew Want
University of Hull
Dr Xinhui Ma
University of Hull
Prof Nina Dethlefs
Loughborough University
Toshiba Research Europe Ltd
Prof Stacy Clemes
Loughborough University
Prof Will Coombs
Durham University
Dr Tim Marjoribanks
Loughborough University
Turbidites Research Group
Lifecycle Optimisation of Wind Farms using Machine-Learning Models Enhanced with Numerical Modelling
Dr Majid Basthankhah
Durham University
Dr Zahur Ullah
Durham University
Prof Rob Dwyer-Joyce
University of Sheffield
ORE Catapult / Victrex
Dr Lian Gan
Durham University
Dr Colin Freeman
University of Sheffield
Siemens Gamesa
Dr Zhengyu Lin
Loughborough University
The National HVDC Centre
Prof Charles Augarde
Durham University
Dr Charlie Lloyd
Loughborough University
CEFAS / National Oceanography Centre
Dr Timothy Rogers
University of Sheffield
Dr Mahmoud Shahbazi
Durham University
Dr Alessandro Leonardi
University of Sheffield
Prof Rob Dorrell
Loughborough University
HR Wallingford – Project co-sponsor
PROJECT TITLE
LEAD SUPERVISOR
HOST INSTITUTION
INDUSTRY SUPPORT
Dr Simona Rasciute
Loughborough University
The Crown Estate - Project co-sponsor
Dr James Maguire
University of Sheffield
Dr Elisabeth Bowman
University of Sheffield
Dr Julian Dean
University of Sheffield
Siemens Gamesa
Dr Majid Basthankhah
Durham University
ORE Catapult
Dr Wangcheng Zhang
Durham University
Prof James Gilbert
University of Hull
Prof Antonio Griffo
University of Sheffield
ORE Catapult
Dr Andrew Want
University of Hull
Dr Xinhui Ma
University of Hull
Prof Nina Dethlefs
Loughborough University
Toshiba Research Europe Ltd
Prof Stacy Clemes
Loughborough University
Prof Will Coombs
Durham University
Dr Tim Marjoribanks
Loughborough University
Turbidites Research Group
Lifecycle Optimisation of Wind Farms using Machine-Learning Models Enhanced with Numerical Modelling
Dr Majid Basthankhah
Durham University
Dr Zahur Ullah
Durham University
Prof Rob Dwyer-Joyce
University of Sheffield
ORE Catapult / Victrex
Dr Lian Gan
Durham University
Dr Colin Freeman
University of Sheffield
Siemens Gamesa
Dr Zhengyu Lin
Loughborough University
The National HVDC Centre
Prof Charles Augarde
Durham University
Dr Charlie Lloyd
Loughborough University
CEFAS / National Oceanography Centre
Dr Timothy Rogers
University of Sheffield
Dr Mahmoud Shahbazi
Durham University
Dr Alessandro Leonardi
University of Sheffield
Prof Rob Dorrell
Loughborough University
HR Wallingford - Project co-sponsor
Please contact auracdt@hull.ac.uk if you have any queries or would like to discuss any elements of the programme with the Aura CDT Team
