PhD scholarship - AI Augmented Design Optimization of Wind Farms - DTU Wind

Are you a curious, self-driven individual with a strong passion for developing sustainable energy solutions? Are you interested in exploring the potential of AI in engineering design? The Department of Wind and Energy Systems at the Technical University of Denmark (DTU) invites applications for a PhD position focused on the topic of AI augmented design optimization of wind farms at DTU Wind. This is your opportunity to make a significant contribution towards next generation wind farm design methodology.

You will be affiliated with the System Engineering and Optimization (SYS) section in the Division of Wind Energy Systems. The SYS section works closely with experts from all across the department and companies to create simulation, design and control solutions for wind farms, wind clusters and hybrid-power plants.

Responsibilities and qualifications
This project is a part of the TWEED (Training Wind Energy Experts on Digitalisation) Doctoral Network, funded by EU through the Horizon Europe MSCA programme. TWEED aims to train the next generation of excellent researchers equipped with a full set of technical and complementary skills to develop high-impact careers in wind energy digitalization. This goal will be achieved through an outstanding research-for-innovation programme, and a unique training programme that combines hands-on research training, interactive schools and hackathons, innovation management and placements with non-academic partner organizations. 

You are a committed individual with a strong engineering background. You have a keen interest in optimization, AI, and wind farm design. Your curiosity guides you to explore and understand the potential of AI in engineering design, and your self-guided nature encourages you to push the limits of what is today possible for a better tomorrow.

You must have a two-year master's degree (120 ECTS points) or a similar degree with an academic level equivalent to a two-year master's degree and some international experience.

As a PhD candidate, you will be tasked with the development of a framework/methodology to better integrate AI into the workflow of wind farm design optimization. You will investigate the potential of combining the strengths of Machine Learning based surrogate modelling for wind farm performance and loading with AI enabled search & evolutionary algorithms. You will work on methods to build/refine the surrogate models in accordance with the searching/optimization progress guided by the search & evolutionary algorithms, in order to save computational costs and improve optimization results. Based on your research, you will also contribute to the development of TopFarm/TopDesign, the open source wind farm optimization tool developed in DTU Wind.

You will get the chance to work in one of the best technical universities in Europe, DTU, at the Risø campus, the cradle and world renown campus of innovation and research in wind energy. Furthermore, by being part of a MSCA Doctoral Network, you will have the opportunity to meet regularly and work closely with a group of your fellow PhD candidates, a distributed team of experts, both from academia and wind industry located all across Europe. You will also have the opportunity for two secondments (3 months each) in one industrial partner and one academic partner in the the TWEED Doctoral Network.

Required Qualifications and Competencies

• A master’s degree in an engineering field or computer science
• Proficiency in scientific programming (preferably with Python)
• A background in optimization

Desirable additional background knowledge

• Wind energy
• Wind farm flow physics (wind farm wake)
• AI and Machine Learning

Approval and Enrolment 
The scholarship for the PhD degree is subject to academic approval, and the candidate will be enrolled in one of the general degree programmes at DTU. For information about our enrolment requirements and the general planning of the PhD study programme, please see DTU's rules for the PhD education . 

We offer
DTU is a leading technical university globally recognized for the excellence of its research, education, innovation and scientific advice. We offer a rewarding and challenging job in an international environment. We strive for academic excellence in an environment characterized by collegial respect and academic freedom tempered by responsibility.

Salary and appointment terms
The appointment will be based on the collective agreement with the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations. The allowance will be agreed upon with the relevant union. 

The period of employment is 3 years. Starting date is 1 March 2025 (or according to mutual agreement). The position is a full-time position.

You can read more about career paths at DTU here http://www.dtu.dk/english/about/job-and-career/working-at-dtu/career-paths.

Further information 
Further information about the PhD topic may be obtained from Senior Researcher, Ju Feng, +45 93510691, [email protected]  and questions about the section to Head of Section, Pierre-Elouan Réthoré tel.: +45 21331293, [email protected] .

You can read more about DTU Wind at www.vindenergi.dtu.dk/.

If you are applying from abroad, you may find useful information on working in Denmark and at DTU at DTU – Moving to Denmark . Furthermore, you have the option of joining our monthly free seminar “PhD relocation to Denmark and startup “Zoom” seminar ” for all questions regarding the practical matters of moving to Denmark and working as a PhD at DTU. 

Application procedure 
Your complete online application must be submitted no later than midnight 15 October 2024 (23:59 Danish time) . Applications must be submitted as one PDF file containing all materials to be given consideration. To apply, please open the link "Apply now", fill out the online application form, and attach all your materials in English in one PDF file . The file must include:

• A letter motivating the application (cover letter)
• Curriculum vitae 
• Grade transcripts and BSc/MSc diploma (in English) including official description of grading scale

You may apply prior to ob­tai­ning your master's degree but cannot begin before having received it. 

Applications received after the deadline will not be considered.

All interested candidates irrespective of age, gender, race, disability, religion or ethnic background are encouraged to apply.

About DTU Wind
The Department of Wind and Energy Systems is one of the world’s largest centers of wind energy and energy systems research and knowledge, with a staff of 400 people from 37 countries working in research, innovation, research-based consulting and education. DTU Wind and Energy Systems has approximately 100 PhD students. The department’s cross-disciplinary research is organized through strategic research programmes that collaborate with Danish and international universities, research institutions and organizations, as well as the wind industry.

Technology for people
DTU develops technology for people. With our international elite research and study programmes, we are helping to create a better world and to solve the global challenges formulated in the UN’s 17 Sustainable Development Goals. Hans Christian Ørsted founded DTU in 1829 with a clear mission to develop and create value using science and engineering to benefit society. That mission lives on today. DTU has 13,500 students and 6,000 employees. We work in an international atmosphere and have an inclusive, evolving, and informal working environment. DTU has campuses in all parts of Denmark and in Greenland, and we collaborate with the best universities around the world.