ForWind – Center for Wind Energy Research has a vacancy in the research group of Prof. Dr. Kerstin Avila within the Collaborative Research Center 1463, “Integrated Design and Operation Methodology for Offshore Megastructures” at the Institute of Physics of the University of Oldenburg starting as soon as possible for a
Research Assistant (m/w/d) – Measuring and modelling turbulent inflow conditions and wakes of wind turbines operating at large altitudes
Wind energy research at the Carl von Ossietzky Universität Oldenburg is internationally recognized through its integration into ForWind – Center for Wind Energy Research, a collaboration among the Universities of Oldenburg, Hannover, and Bremen, and by being part of the National Wind Energy Research Alliance. In Oldenburg, 50 researchers from physics, meteorology, and engineering work together on fundamental and applied research questions in the state-of-the-art Research Laboratory for Turbulence and Wind Energy Systems. Our mission is to advance the understanding of wind as a complex flow system with a focus on its interaction with wind turbines, providing essential insights to meet the global demand for renewable energy. We employ a multidisciplinary approach that includes free-field measurements, HPC-based numerical simulations, and laboratory experiments. Oldenburg is particularly renowned for its unique large wind tunnel with an active grid and leading expertise in developing laboratory-scale turbines. Combined with modern measurement methods, these facilities offer ideal conditions for addressing real-world wind energy challenges under controlled laboratory settings. The position to be filled is part of the second phase of the Collaborative Research Center 1463, “Integrated Design and Operation Methodology for Offshore Megastructures” (https://www.sfb1463.uni-hannover.de/en/), funded by the German Research foundation (DFG). The goal of this collaborative project is to model the entire lifecycle of offshore wind turbines—construction, operation, and decommissioning—within a comprehensive digital twin framework.
Job description
As a Research Associate in our subproject of the CRC 1463 you will reproduce the wind conditions of the future offshore wind turbine megastructures in the laboratory and analyze the wake dynamics and turbine loads. These megastructures partly operate at altitudes above the turbulent boundary layer reaching into the higher quasi-laminar winds. Such laminar-turbulent inflow conditions are scarcely studied and challenge the assumptions underlying most wind and turbine models. A key part of this position is to perform and analyze extensive experiments (two laboratory turbines in the large Oldenburg wind tunnel). Additionally, the flow modeling is enhanced in a stepwise manner. Initially, a flow model developed during the first funding phase is applied and compared with measurements. At present, this model accurately reproduces the small-scale structures of the fractal laminar-turbulent interface. In the next step, you will further refine the model to capture larger-scale features associated with laminar-turbulent flow patterns, such as those observed in turbine wakes. The ultimate goal is to apply this enhanced model to generate numerical wind fields that will serve as inputs for the digital twin of a megastructure turbine, developed within CRC 1463. This project builds upon a wind tunnel experiment fully set up and tested and an existing in-house modeling of wind fields for a digital twin turbine.
Among others, your tasks will comprise:
- Conduct wind tunnel experiments with laboratory turbines to measure turbulent wake flows and assess the loads of a downstream turbine.
- Utilize advanced experimental tools such as the active grids in the large Oldenburg wind tunnel to simulate realistic wind conditions and
- Perform high-resolution measurement methods, including Hot-Wire Anemometry, Laser Doppler Anemometry (LDA), and Particle Image Velocimetry (PIV).
- Extend existing in-house wind field models (based on stochastic differential equations such as Langevin or Fokker-Planck types).
- Integrate novel approaches, e.g., directed percolation, into numerical wind field generation.
- Collaborate within a research consortium to enhance digital twin capabilities for wind energy systems.
- Publish findings in peer-reviewed journals and present at conferences.
- Supervise Bachelor’s and Master’s theses.
- Engage in teaching activities and support grant proposal preparation.
Job offer
We offer you the opportunity to develop your scientific career in a young and lively academic environment. You will be working in the WindLab – one of the university’s most modern office and lab spaces – while you will also have the opportunity to do flexible and mobile work. Your pathway towards the PhD is actively supported by, e.g.,
- multidisciplinary cooperation with other researchers at ForWind and Fraunhofer IWES in Oldenburg,
- direct collaboration with industry while maintaining the links with our national and international partners in academia,
- optional secondment at an international research institute
- development of personal, scientific, and teaching skills through an individual training programme and selected teaching tasks,
- opportunities to present scientific results at international conferences and through peer-reviewed publications to extend your specific network,
The employment is initially limited until 31.12.2028. The payment is based on the collective agreement for the public service in the German federal states, TV-L E13.
Further benefits
- Secure remuneration according to collective agreement
- 30 days vacation
- Company pension scheme
- Further training opportunities
- Flexible working hours
- Health management
- Mobile working
- Compatibility of career and family
- Support with childcare
- University Sports Centre
Candidate profile
Requirements for employment include:
- A qualifying university master’s degree in physics, engineering, meteorology, or a comparable field.
- Knowledge of fluid dynamics or nonlinear systems
- Experience in programming with Matlab or Python
- Proficiency in spoken and written English.
- Team spirit and strong analytical thinking skills.
Please state your expertise (if existing) with respect to:
- Turbulence and (flow) instabilities.
- Analyzing time series of (experimental) measurements.
- Developing or adapting models.
- Setting up a (laboratory) experiment and performing measurements.
- Presentation skills.
And describe in addition your specific knowledge (if existing) with respect to:
- Optical flow measurement methods, e.g. PIV.
- Methods to model stochastic processes and/or spatio-temporal dynamics.
- Develop or adapt models of turbulent fluid flows
- Dynamical systems theory
- German language skills.
The University of Oldenburg is dedicated to increase the percentage of female employees in the field of science. Therefore, female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply. In accordance to § 21 Section 3 NHG, female candidates with equal qualifications will be preferentially considered. Applicants with disabilities will be given preference in case of equal qualification.
Research environment at ForWind – Carl von Ossietzky Universität Oldenburg
We offer globally unique laboratory infrastructure for wind energy research and a young, interdisciplinary working group of physicists, engineers, and meteorologists. By working with the wind tunnel, you will become part of a dynamic and supportive team of experimenters, while receiving close supervision from a senior researcher for data analysis.
You will be based in the WindLab – one of the university’s most modern office and laboratory spaces – while also having the opportunity to work flexibly and remotely. The position provides an excellent opportunity for academic advancement (PhD), supported by specialized seminars, workshops, and meetings provided by:
- Collaborative Research Centre 1463 Offshore Megastructures
- ForWind and Fraunhofer IWES in Oldenburg,
- European academy of wind energy, e.g. PhD Seminar
Our group cares for a family-friendly working environment and the university offers a family service centre and children’s daycare on campus.
Contact
For questions regarding this job opportunity, please contact Prof. Kerstin Avila by email at kerstin.avila@uni-oldenburg.de.
Please submit your application electronically as one PDF file by 01.05.2025 to application.tucs@uol.de.
Please submit your application as one PDF file to University of Oldenburg, Faculty V, Institute of Physics, ForWind – Center for Wind Energy Research, Research Group Fundamentals of Turbulence and Complex Systems, Prof. Dr. Kerstin Avila, Küpkersweg 70, 26129 Oldenburg, Germany and include reference # SFB-TuCS-PhD.
The pdf file must include:
- A cover letter motivating your application.
- Four presentation slides about your master thesis or another research project of you (1. Motivation and Goal of the research project, 2. Methods used (by yourself), 3. Obtained results and their implications and 4. Your key expertise and motivation for the position)
- Curriculum vitae including your final mark of the Bachelor and Master studies
- Grade transcripts and BSc/MSc diploma
- Employment references, if available
A second PDF file containing your Master Thesis or relevant research papers (if available) is an optional attachment.
We are looking forward to receiving your application.
