Research Assistant in Fluid-Structure-Sediment Interaction at Offshore Wind Structures

Research Assistant in Fluid-Structure-Sediment Interaction at Offshore Wind Structures (salary scale 13 TV-L, 100 %)

Nestled in a modern city surrounded by nature and with an exceptional standard of living, Leibniz University Hannover offers excellent working conditions in a vibrant scientific community.

The Ludwig-Franzius-Institute for Hydraulic, Estuarine and Coastal Engineering (LuFI) is recognized both nationally and internationally as a prime address for scientific challenges in the fields of ecohydraulics, coastal protection, flood and risk management, environmental impacts of hydraulic engineering, marine engineering, offshore renewable energy, and exposure and vulnerability research in coastal zones.

The Ludwig-Franzius-Institute for Hydraulic, Estuarine and Coastal Engineering invites applications for the following position to be filled at the earliest possible date:
Research Assistant in Fluid-Structure-Sediment Interaction at Offshore Wind Structures (salary scale 13 TV-L, 100 %)

The position is initially limited until December 31, 2028, with the possibility of extension.

With the massive expansion of offshore wind energy, a unique power plant for renewable energies is being created in the North Sea. This transformation requires a leap toward "offshore megastructures," for which traditional design approaches are reaching their limits. A critical factor is scour development, which describes the localized erosion of sediment around the foundation structure of offshore wind turbines. Current, often empirical, prediction approaches fail to account for the dynamic interactions of hydraulic, geotechnical, and structural-mechanical influences on scour.

Within the Collaborative Research Centre SFB 1463 "Offshore Megastructures," we are moving beyond purely hydraulic explanations for scour. We investigate scour development as a complex interplay at the interface of coastal engineering, geotechnics, and structural dynamics. The goal is to understand the influence of excess pore water pressure, soil liquefaction, and structural excitation on morphodynamics.

As part of this position, laboratory experiments on scour development at offshore wind turbines are to be planned, coordinated, performed, and evaluated. These experiments will be conducted at various model scales. You will investigate how pore water pressure in the soil and vibrations of the structure influence erosion processes. By incorporating these dynamic interactions, the prediction of scour processes will be improved, the design of scour protection systems optimized, and the potential risks of foundation structure failure more accurately assessed.

In close coordination with partners from geotechnics, the temporal change of soil properties and their feedback on scour protection will be described. Project results are to be discussed with partners, published in scientific journals, and presented at international conferences. The motivation to complete a doctorate (PhD) is expected and will be supported both in content and form by the institute’s management.

The prerequisite for employment is a completed university degree (Master’s or equivalent) in the research field outlined above. This applies, for example, to candidates with a degree in Civil Engineering (specializing in coastal engineering or soil mechanics), Oceanography, Marine Geosciences, or a comparable program with content related to hydro- and sediment dynamics. Very good written and spoken English skills as well as excellent communication and teamwork skills are expected.

Good knowledge of Matlab, Python, or comparable programming languages is required. Practical experience in conducting hydraulic laboratory experiments and using laboratory measurement technology is an advantage.

Equal opportunities and diversity are core values at Leibniz University Hannover. Our goal is to tap into individual potential and open up possibilities. We therefore welcome applications from anyone interested in the position, irrespective of gender, nationality, ethnic origin, religion or ideology, disability, age, sexual orientation and identity.

We…