PhD scholarship in the structural design of wind turbine blades based on hemp fibres and bio-based resins - DTU Wind

DTU offers a PhD position linked to the Circular Bio-based Europe-funded project SSUCHY-Next  - Developing the supply chains for industrial hemp fibre and bio-based resins towards high-performance circular bio-based composites. 

DTU leads a work package on developing large-scale wind turbine blade applications. To demonstrate their viability for hemp fibre and bio-based resins, DTU will work closely with the blade manufacturer Olsen Wings A/S to design, manufacture, and test 12.6-meter wind turbine blades based on the developed bio-based materials.

As part of the PhD project, the PhD students, together with a team of experts, should investigate the following: 

• Benchmark the material systems, which are used and developed during the Ssuchy-Next project with state-of-the-art materials used in modern wind turbine blades concerning:
  • Structural performance based on material properties and experimental testing on coupon level
  • Manufacturing properties of these material systems related to the vacuum infusion technique, considering the impact of the fabrics' permeability, the resin's viscosity and compaction behaviour. 
• Design the wind turbine blade structure based on the bio-based materials and benchmark its response (static and dynamic behaviour) to an existing glass fibre epoxy resin system blade
• Infusion: simulate the bio-based wind turbine blade's vacuum infusion process and individual steps. 
• Plan and conduct experiments on different length scales to extract experimental input data for modelling purposes and to validate your numerical predictions. 

Responsibilities and qualifications
You will be responsible for: 

• Planning and conducting experiments on material characterisation and structural performance on different length scales, from coupon scale to full-scale wind turbine blade testing. 
• Creating technical drawings and post-processing experimental data from different sources e.g. 2D and 3D Digital image correlation, layer scans, strain measurement, etc., in Python or MATLAB. 
• Performing numerical simulations of the vacuum infusion process using PAM-COMPOSITES’ resin moulding simulation software module PAM from ESI or similar tools. 
• Performing structural finite element simulations in Abaqus.
• Writing and preparing scientific reports and presentations.

The ideal candidate for the PhD project would have the following qualifications but doesn’t need to fulfil all of them: 

• Knowledge of fibre composite materials and vacuum infusion processes
• Knowledge of material testing and evaluating preferable fibre composite materials
• Knowledge of image and data post-processing
• Knowledge of programming in Python or MATLAB
• Knowledge in performing finite element analyses of composite structures, preferably wind turbine blade structures, using Abaqus or any other finite element simulation software
• Hands-on experience with vacuum-assisted resin infusion would be an advantage
• Knowledge of fabric permeability assessment would be an advantage
• Knowledge of fabric compaction assessment would be an advantage
• Knowledge of Digital Image Correlation would be an advantage
• Knowledge of vacuum-assisted resin infusion modelling in ESI PAM RTM for small and large-scale applications would be an advantage

Moreover, having experience with conference publications and presentations will be an advantage. 

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.

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 . 

Assessment
DTU will assess the candidates based on soft skills like communication and presentation abilities as well as on experience and factual knowledge in the following areas: 

• Knowledge of fibre composite materials and vacuum infusion processes
• Knowledge of material testing and evaluating preferably fibre composite materials
• Knowledge of image and data post-processing
• Knowledge of programming in Python or MATLAB
• Knowledge in performing finite element analyses of composite structures, preferably wind turbine blade structures, using Abaqus or any other finite element simulation software
• Hands-on experience with vacuum-assisted resin infusion would be an advantage
• Knowledge of fabric permeability and compaction assessment would be an advantage
• Knowledge of Digital Image Correlation would be an advantage
• Knowledge of vacuum-assisted resin infusion modelling (in software such as ESI PAM RTM) for small and large-scale applications would be an advantage

Moreover, having experience with conference publications and presentations will be an advantage. 

We offer
DTU is a leading technical university globally recognised for its excellence in 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 characterised 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.

The Ssuchy-Next project started on 1 September 2024 and has a project duration of 48 months. The ideal start date for the PhD project would be 1 February 2025. 

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 may be obtained from the principal investigator and WP lead of the Ssuchy-Next project, Associate Professor Philipp Ulrich Haselbach, via email at [email protected] or telephone at +45 50156403 or from the Head of Section “Structural Desing and Testing” Kim Branner, [email protected] .

You can read more about DTU Wind at https://wind.dtu.dk/  .

If you are applying from abroad, you may find helpful information on working in Denmark and at DTU at DTU – Moving to Denmark . Furthermore, you can join 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 8 January 2025 (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 an official description of the 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, disability, race, religion or ethnic background, are encouraged to apply. As the position involves research in critical technology, which is subject to special rules for security and export control, among other things, open-source background checks will be conducted on qualified candidates for the position.

DTU Wind and Energy Systems is a leading university institution employing around 370 staff focusing on advancing wind energy and intelligent power systems. The department is internationally recognised for its cutting-edge research and innovation, aiming to create sustainable, cost-effective solutions that impact society and the energy sector. DTU offers excellent education programmes and operates state-of-the-art testing facilities, allowing research on materials, turbine systems, and energy infrastructure.

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 Greenland, and we collaborate with the best universities around the world.