PhD scholarship – in Atmospheric Turbulence and Wind Energy, Denmark

Applicants are invited for a PhD scholarship in the Meteorology Program of the Wind Energy Division at Risø DTU. The Meteorology Program is aimed at basic research in the fields of boundary layer meteorology, assessment of wind resources for power generation and of wind loads on turbines and various other structures.

The project
With new laser techniques it is possible to measure atmospheric turbulence in completely new ways. At Risø DTU we are pursuing various implementations of laser Doppler-based techniques and are world leading in applying them to wind energy research. The PhD study will focus on performing atmospheric experiments with these systems, and/or investigating theoretically the fluid dynamic problems revealed by these measurements. As an example it can be investigated how the stagnating flow in front of a turbine or the wake behind it behaves, in order to understand spatial structure of turbulence around a wind turbine.

An important theoretical and experimental question in connection with turbine approach flow is how turbulence measured upstream is altered as it approaches the turbine rotor. Another subject would be to understand how atmospheric turbulence structure is affected by the thermal layering of the atmosphere. Finally, various features of the natural landscape, such as steep hills or forests, produce excessive turbulence. Improved understanding of this is important for wind turbine siting. The student will work in a subgroup of the Wind Energy Division concerned with the applications of remote sensing to wind energy research. This activity is rapidly expanding and the group consists currently of ten persons.

The successful applicant will either focus on the theoretical aspects of atmospheric turbulence and its influence on a wind turbine, or the challenging experimental issues of using laser based remote sensing in the atmosphere.

Qualifications
Candidates should hold or soon complete a Master degree in engineering, physics, meteorology or similar a field. Excellent knowledge of one or more of the following fields an advantage: mathematics, fluid mechanics, atmospheric science, wind energy research. We favor an open-minded and result-oriented person.

Terms of employment
Terms of employment will be in accordance with those of the scientific staff of universities. The scholarships for the PhD degree are subject to academic approval, and the candidates will be enrolled in one of the general degree programmes of DTU. Information about the general requirements for enrolment and the general planning of the scholarship studies is included in the general rules of DTU, which may be obtained by application to the PhD programme office at tel: +45 45 25 11 76 or +45 45 25 11 77. Employment will start around 1 September 2009. The PhD position is limited to three years.

The PhD study is embedded in a research project with the title “WINDSCANNER.DK – a new mobile facility for wind energy and turbulence research” (http://www.windscanner.dk). Siemens Wind Power and Danish Academy of Wind Energy (DAWE) will co-finance the position. The main supervisor is research professor Jakob Mann (Risø DTU) and Siemens and other Risø employees will give additional supervision.

Application
The application deadline is 15 June 2009. Apply online on www.dtu.dk/vacancy. Please open the link “apply online” and fill in the application form and attach your application, CV and other relevant documentation.

Further information
If you need further information concerning this position, please contact Jakob Mann, jmsq-at-risoe.dtu.dk, + 45 4677 5019.