Scholarships

Aura CDT 2 PhD Scholarships

PhD research clusters planned with 2024 start

The Aura CDT has already recruited 70 PhD researchers in five cohorts, between 2019 and 2023, supported by UKRI funding. Subject to a funding decision in December 2023, we hope to take on a further five cohorts of PhD researchers on a scholarship basis, from September 2024.

 

Following consultation with the offshore wind industry, the Aura CDT academic partners have worked together to develop seven PhD clusters. We will shortly list each individual project, with a view to opening the application process in January 2024.

Each cluster of PhDs will support two or more of the major challenges facing the offshore wind sector. This will strengthen cross-cohort research collaboration between our postgraduate students as well as connecting our academic supervisors cross-institution.

Graphic showings icons for five offshore wind challenges: technology, environment, lifecycle, workforce and energy systems

Cluster 1 Projects

Cables

Project Title

Lead Supervisor

Dynamic cable motion characterisation for FOWT

Dynamic power cable condition monitoring using optical fibre sensors

Cluster 1 scholarships planned for 2024
<p><strong>Project Title</strong></p>
<p><strong>Lead Supervisor</strong></p>
<p><strong>Dynamic cable motion characterisation for FOWT</strong></p>
<p><a href="https://www.durham.ac.uk/staff/lian-gan/">Dr Lian Gan, Durham University</a></p>
<p><strong>Dynamic power cable condition monitoring using optical fibre sensors</strong></p>
<p><a href="https://www.hull.ac.uk/staff-directory/james-m-gilbert">Prof James Gilbert, University of Hull</a></p>

Cluster 2 Projects

Floating

Project Title

Lead Supervisor

Developing the next generation of floating offshore wind turbine structures

Performance of offshore floating wind farms

Reinforcement Learning-Based Adaptive Control for Floating Wind Turbines

Cluster 2 scholarships planned for 2024
<p>Project Title</p>
<p>Lead Supervisor</p>
<p><strong><span style="font-size: 14px;">Developing the next generation of floating offshore wind turbine structures</span></strong></p>
<p><a href="https://www.hull.ac.uk/staff-directory/y-sheng">Prof Yong Sheng, University of Hull</a></p>
<p><strong><span style="font-size: 14px;">Performance of offshore floating wind farms</span></strong></p>
<p><a href="https://www.lboro.ac.uk/departments/aae/staff/lisa-jackson/">Prof Lisa Jackson, Loughborough University</a></p>
<p><strong><span style="font-size: 14px;">Reinforcement Learning-Based Adaptive Control for Floating Wind Turbines</span></strong></p>
<p><a href="https://www.hull.ac.uk/staff-directory/mustafa-abdelrahman">Dr Mustafa Abdelrahman, University of Hull</a></p>

Cluster 3 Projects

Sediments

Project Title

Lead Supervisor

The role of fabric anisotropy on cyclic loading of offshore soils: a grain-scale 

Cluster 3 Scholarships planned for 2024
<p>Project Title</p>
<p>Lead Supervisor</p>
<p><strong><span style="font-size: 14px;">The role of fabric anisotropy on cyclic loading of offshore soils: a grain-scale </span></strong></p>
<p><a href="https://www.durham.ac.uk/staff/alexandros-petalas/">Dr Alexandros Petalas, Durham University</a></p>
 

Cluster 4 Projects

Power Project

Project Title

Lead Supervisor

Single-turbine scale quantification of wake turbulence

Data assimilation for wake-wake interactions

Parametrising wakes for oceanographic models

Development and validation of physics-based models for wakes of large offshore wind farms

Cluster 4 scholarships planned for 2024
<p>Project Title</p>
<p>Lead Supervisor</p>
<p><strong><span style="font-size: 14px;">Single-turbine scale quantification of wake turbulence</span></strong></p>
<p><a href="https://www.lboro.ac.uk/departments/abce/staff/chris-keylock/">Prof Chris Keylock, Loughborough University</a></p>
<p><strong><span style="font-size: 14px;">Data assimilation for wake-wake interactions</span></strong></p>
<p><a href="https://www.sheffield.ac.uk/maths/people/academic/yi-li">Dr Yi Li, University of Sheffield</a></p>
<p><strong><span style="font-size: 14px;">Parametrising wakes for oceanographic models</span></strong></p>
<p><a href="https://www.hull.ac.uk/staff-directory/charlie-lloyd">Dr Charlie Lloyd, University of Hull</a></p>
<p><strong><span style="font-size: 14px;">Development and validation of physics-based models for wakes of large offshore wind farms</span></strong></p>
<p><a href="https://www.durham.ac.uk/staff/majid-bastankhah/">Dr Majid Bastankhah, Durham University</a></p>

Cluster 5 Projects

Wellbeing

Project Title

Lead Supervisor

Building psychosocial and physical resilience using self-management skills for offshore workers

Impact of “blue space” as a working condition on the health and wellbeing of offshore windfarm workers

Implications of Extreme Temperatures on Physiological and Cognitive Functioning in Offshore Wind Technicians

A structured health intervention to improve physical activity, nutrition and sleep in offshore windfarm workers

Cluster 5 scholarships planned for 2024
<p>Project Title</p>
<p>Lead Supervisor</p>
<p><strong><span style="font-size: 14px;">Building psychosocial and physical resilience using self-management skills for offshore workers</span></strong></p>
<p><a href="https://www.lboro.ac.uk/schools/sport-exercise-health-sciences/people/david-maidment/">Dr David Maidment, Loughborough University</a></p>
<p><strong><span style="font-size: 14px;">Impact of “blue space” as a working condition on the health and wellbeing of offshore windfarm workers</span></strong></p>
<p><a href="https://www.lboro.ac.uk/schools/sport-exercise-health-sciences/people/stacy-clemes/">Prof Stacey Clemes, Loughborough University</a></p>
<p><strong><span style="font-size: 14px;">Implications of Extreme Temperatures on Physiological and Cognitive Functioning in Offshore Wind Technicians</span></strong></p>
<p><a href="https://www.hull.ac.uk/staff-directory/kate-donnan">Dr Kate Donnan, University of Hull</a></p>
<p><strong><span style="font-size: 14px;">A structured health intervention to improve physical activity, nutrition and sleep in offshore windfarm workers</span></strong></p>
<p><a href="https://www.lboro.ac.uk/schools/sport-exercise-health-sciences/people/stacy-clemes/">Prof Stacey Clemes, Loughborough University</a></p>

Cluster 6 Projects

Skills

Project Title

Lead Supervisor

Undertaking and activating transfer of non-technical skills safety training to workers in the offshore windfarm sector

Undertaking and activating transfer of technical skills safety training to workers in the offshore windfarm sector

Cluster 6 Scholarships planned for 2024
<p>Project Title</p>
<p>Lead Supervisor</p>
<p><strong><span style="font-size: 14px;">Undertaking and activating transfer of non-technical skills safety training to workers in the offshore windfarm sector</span></strong></p>
<p><a href="https://www.sheffield.ac.uk/management/people/academic-staff/karina-nielsen">Professor Karina Nielsen, University of Sheffield</a></p>
<p><strong><span style="font-size: 14px;">Undertaking and activating transfer of technical skills safety training to workers in the offshore windfarm sector</span></strong></p>
<p><a href="https://www.lboro.ac.uk/schools/sport-exercise-health-sciences/people/fehmidah-munir/">Prof Fehmidah Munir, Loughborough University</a></p>

Cluster 7 Projects

Energy Economics

Project Title

Lead Supervisor

Economic and environmental assessment of  energy systems integration for increased  utilisation and reduced curtailment of offshore wind farms

Unintended consequences of Offshore Wind farms: a socio-economic impact evaluation on wellbeing and community dynamics

Economic analysis of trade-offs and welfare implications in Offshore Wind farm development

Energy security vs. energy import costs: assessing the role of Offshore Wind Power

Cluster 7 Scholarships planned for 2024
<p>Project Title</p>
<p>Lead Supervisor</p>
<p><strong><span style="font-size: 14px;">Economic and environmental assessment of  energy systems integration for increased  utilisation and reduced curtailment of offshore wind farms</span></strong></p>
<p><a href="https://www.hull.ac.uk/staff-directory/mark-walker">Dr Mark Walker, University of Hull</a></p>
<p><strong><span style="font-size: 14px;">Unintended consequences of Offshore Wind farms: a socio-economic impact evaluation on wellbeing and community dynamics</span></strong></p>
<p><a href="https://www.lboro.ac.uk/schools/business-school/our-people/simona-rasciute/">Dr Simona Rasciute, University of Sheffield</a></p>
<p><strong><span style="font-size: 14px;">Economic analysis of trade-offs and welfare implications in Offshore Wind farm development</span></strong></p>
<p><a href="https://www.hull.ac.uk/staff-directory/magnus-johnson">Dr Magnus Johnson, University of Hull</a></p>
<p><strong><span style="font-size: 14px;">Energy security vs. energy import costs: assessing the role of Offshore Wind Power</span></strong></p>
<p><a href="https://www.lboro.ac.uk/schools/business-school/our-people/anna-rita-bennato/">Dr Anna Rita Bennato, Loughborough University</a></p>

Cluster 8 Projects

Materials

Project Title

Lead Supervisor

Sustainable, Low-Cost Upcycling of Wind Turbine Transition Pieces

Passing the torch: Utilising full blade waste for the production, catalytic conversion and storage of H2 in methanol 

Breaking forever: Capturing and converting toxic PFAS molecules using coral structured biochars from blade waste

Transforming Non-Recyclable Waste into Sustainable Solutions: Novel Anti-corrosion Coatings for Offshore Wind Turbines 

Cluster 8 Scholarships planned for 2024
<p>Project Title</p>
<p>Lead Supervisor</p>
<p><strong>Sustainable, Low-Cost Upcycling of Wind Turbine Transition Pieces</strong></p>
<p><a href="https://www.hull.ac.uk/staff-directory/maria-grazia-francesconi">Dr Grazia Francesconi, University of Hull</a></p>
<p><strong>Passing the torch: Utilising full blade waste for the production, catalytic conversion and storage of H2 in methanol </strong></p>
<p><a href="https://www.hull.ac.uk/staff-directory/martin-taylor">Dr Martin Taylor, University of Hull</a></p>
<p><strong>Breaking forever: Capturing and converting toxic PFAS molecules using coral structured biochars from blade waste</strong></p>
<p><a href="https://www.hull.ac.uk/staff-directory/martin-taylor">Dr Martin Taylor, University of Hull</a></p>
<p><strong>Transforming Non-Recyclable Waste into Sustainable Solutions: Novel Anti-corrosion Coatings for Offshore Wind Turbines </strong></p>
<p><a href="https://www.hull.ac.uk/staff-directory/amthal-al-gailani">Dr Amthal Al-Gailani, University of Hull</a></p>

Cluster 9 Projects

Environmental Impact

Project Title

Lead Supervisor

Understanding the impacts and benefits of offshore wind on fish in the Greater North Sea

Sustainable methods for gross proximate composition of North Sea species as a key component of ecological models.

Streamlining the Environmental Impact Assessment Process using Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning

Cluster 9 Scholarships planned for 2024
<p>Project Title</p>
<p>Lead Supervisor</p>
<p><strong>Understanding the impacts and benefits of offshore wind on fish in the Greater North Sea</strong></p>
<p><a href="https://www.hull.ac.uk/staff-directory/jon-bolland">Dr Jon Bolland, University of Hull</a></p>
<p><strong>Sustainable methods for gross proximate composition of North Sea species as a key component of ecological models.</strong></p>
<p><a href="https://www.hull.ac.uk/staff-directory/samantha-richardson">Dr Samantha Richardson, University of Hull</a></p>
<p><strong>Streamlining the Environmental Impact Assessment Process using Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning</strong></p>
<p><a href="https://www.hull.ac.uk/staff-directory/krysia-mazik">Dr Krysia Mazik, University of Hull</a></p>

Cluster 10 Projects

Turbine Engineering

Project Title

Lead Supervisor

Low maintenance reliable transmissions for large wind turbines

Multiscale design optimisation of wind turbine blade composite for tuneable mechanical properties

Protection Devices for MVDC Offshore wind Integration

Cluster 10 Scholarships planned for 2024
<p>Project Title</p>
<p>Lead Supervisor</p>
<p><strong>Low maintenance reliable transmissions for large wind turbines</strong></p>
<p><a href="https://www.sheffield.ac.uk/mecheng/people/academic/rob-dwyer-joyce">Professor Rob Dwyer-Joyce, University of Sheffield</a></p>
<p><strong>Multiscale design optimisation of wind turbine blade composite for tuneable mechanical properties</strong></p>
<p><a href="https://www.durham.ac.uk/staff/stefan-t-szyniszewski/">Dr Stefan Szyniszewski, Durham University</a></p>
<p><strong>Protection Devices for MVDC Offshore wind Integration</strong></p>
<p><a href="https://www.durham.ac.uk/staff/alton-b-horsfall/">Professor Alton Horsfall, Durham University</a></p>

Cluster 11 Projects

Hybrid Renewable Energy

Project Title

Lead Supervisor

Innovating Interdisciplinary Airborne WindEnergy through Rigorous Wind Tunnel Testing and Collaborative Design

Integrated Engineering and Environmental Optimisation of Offshore Wind and Floating Solar Hybrid Systems 

Efficient and Sustainable Offshore Wind Turbine-driven Green Hydrogen production

Risk-informed Planning and Reliability Evaluation of Hybrid Wind Power Plants

Cluster 11 Scholarships planned for 2024
<p>Project Title</p>
<p>Lead Supervisor</p>
<p><strong>Innovating Interdisciplinary Airborne Wind</strong><strong>Energy through Rigorous Wind Tunnel Testing </strong><strong>and Collaborative Design</strong></p>
<p><a href="https://www.durham.ac.uk/staff/majid-bastankhah/">Dr Majid Bastankhah, Durham University</a></p>
<p><strong>Integrated Engineering and Environmental Optimisation of Offshore Wind and Floating Solar Hybrid Systems </strong></p>
<p><a href="https://www.hull.ac.uk/staff-directory/y-sheng">Dr Y Sheng, University of Hull</a></p>
<p><strong>Efficient and Sustainable Offshore Wind Turbine-driven Green Hydrogen production</strong></p>
<p><a href="https://www.hull.ac.uk/staff-directory/mohammed-ismail">Dr Mohammed Ismail, University of Hull</a></p>
<p><strong>Risk-informed Planning and Reliability Evaluation of Hybrid Wind Power Plants</strong></p>
<p><a href="https://www.durham.ac.uk/staff/behzad-kazemtabrizi/">Dr Behzad Kazemtabrizi, Durham University</a></p>

Cluster 12 Projects

Maintenance

Project Title

Lead Supervisor

OPtimization EXplainability (OPEX) for Maintenance Scheduling of Offshore Wind Farms

A Holistic Predictive Maintenance Framework for Offshore Wind Turbines Components 

An RCM-based Intelligent Maintenance Framework for Offshore Wind Turbines 

Use of probabilistic modelling to investigate optimal maintenance strategies in the life extension period of offshore wind turbines 

Cluster 12 Scholarships planned for 2024
<p>Project Title</p>
<p>Lead Supervisor</p>
<p><strong>OPtimization EXplainability (OPEX) for Maintenance Scheduling of Offshore Wind Farms</strong></p>
<p><a href="https://www.hull.ac.uk/staff-directory/yiannis-papadopoulos">Professor Yiannis Papadopoulos, University of Hull</a></p>
<p><strong>A Holistic Predictive Maintenance Framework for Offshore Wind Turbines Components </strong></p>
<p><a href="https://www.hull.ac.uk/staff-directory/zhibao-mian">Dr Zhibao Mian, University of Hull</a></p>
<p><strong>An RCM-based Intelligent Maintenance Framework for Offshore Wind Turbines </strong></p>
<p><a href="https://www.hull.ac.uk/staff-directory/zhibao-mian">Dr Zhibao Mian, University of Hull</a></p>
<p><strong>Use of probabilistic modelling to investigate optimal maintenance strategies in the life extension period of offshore wind turbines </strong></p>
<p><a href="https://www.lboro.ac.uk/departments/aae/staff/sarah-dunnett/">Dr Sarah Dunnett, University of Loughborough</a></p>

Cluster 13 Projects

Monitoring

Project Title

Lead Supervisor

Human-in-the-loop machine learning for drone-assisted Structural Health Monitoring 

Digital twins for health monitoring and fault 

SafeML-based Confidence Generation and Explainability for UAV-based Anomality Detection of Blades Surface in Offshore Wind Turbines

Cluster 13 Scholarships planned for 2024
<p>Project Title</p>
<p>Lead Supervisor</p>
<p><strong>Human-in-the-loop machine learning for drone-assisted Structural Health Monitoring </strong></p>
<p><a href="https://www.hull.ac.uk/staff-directory/nina-dethlefs">Dr Nina Dethlefs, University of Hull</a></p>
<p><strong>Digital twins for health monitoring and fault </strong></p>
<p><a href="https://www.sheffield.ac.uk/eee/people/academic-staff/antonio-griffo">Professor Antonio Griffo, University of Sheffield</a></p>
<p><strong>SafeML-based Confidence Generation and Explainability for UAV-based Anomality Detection of Blades Surface in Offshore Wind Turbines</strong></p>
<p><a href="https://www.hull.ac.uk/staff-directory/zhibao-mian">Dr Zhibao Mian, University of Hull</a></p>

Cluster 14 Projects

Operation

Project Title

Lead Supervisor

Optimisation of wind farms power production using AI

Establishing Safety Guarantees in Reinforcement Learning for Wind Turbine Control

Cluster 14 Scholarships planned for 2024
<p>Project Title</p>
<p>Lead Supervisor</p>
<p><strong>Optimisation of wind farms power production using AI</strong></p>
<p><a href="https://www.durham.ac.uk/staff/stefano-giani/">Dr Stefano Giani, Durham University</a></p>
<p><strong>Establishing Safety Guarantees in Reinforcement Learning for Wind Turbine Control</strong></p>
<p><a href="https://www.hull.ac.uk/staff-directory/mustafa-abdelrahman">Dr Mustafa Abdelrahman, University of Hull</a></p>

For an informal discussion, call +44 (0) 1482 463331
or contact auracdt@hull.ac.uk