PhD and Postdoc Positions in Mechanical Design and Reliability of Subsea HVDC Electrode Units – Offshore Renewable Energy, Denmark

Aalborg University’s Department of Energy (AAU Energy) in Denmark is offering fully funded PhD and Postdoctoral positions within the EUDP-funded project “HVDC Subsea Electrode Unit.” The research focuses on advancing next-generation high-voltage direct current (HVDC) subsea infrastructure to support the energy transition, particularly for offshore wind farms. The project aims to deliver robust, scalable, and standardised subsea electrode units for HVDC systems, addressing challenges in mechanical design, reliability, and sustainability. The Postdoctoral Researcher (2 years, extendable to 3) will lead experimental wave-tank testing and high-fidelity numerical modelling (FEM) to verify structural performance under environmental loading, soil–structure interaction, and degradation mechanisms such as fatigue and corrosion. The role includes developing design envelopes for standardisation and collaborating with academic and industrial partners. Applicants must hold a PhD (or be near completion) in Mechanical, Structural, Civil, Materials, or Ocean Engineering, with strong skills in experimental testing, numerical modelling, and FEM tools (e.g., OrcaFlex, Abaqus, ANSYS). Proficiency in English and scientific programming (Python, MATLAB, or R) is advantageous. The PhD position (3 years) will develop a reliability-based structural design and integrity management framework for subsea HVDC electrode support structures, incorporating analytical and numerical models, experimental validation, and exploration of additively manufactured concepts for lightweight, fatigue- and corrosion-resistant solutions. Applicants must have a Master’s degree in a relevant engineering discipline, strong background in structural mechanics and simulation, and excellent English communication skills. Experience with FEM, additive manufacturing, and statistics is beneficial. Both positions are based at AAU Energy’s Esbjerg campus, within the “Offshore Renewable Energy Systems” research group. The department offers a dynamic, international environment with advanced laboratory facilities and strong industry links. Funding covers salary, pension, and benefits according to Danish collective agreements. The PhD stipend starts at a minimum of 31,242.75 DKK/month plus pension, with negotiable final salary based on experience. Application deadlines are 15 February 2026 for the postdoc and 18 February 2026 for the PhD. Applications must be submitted via Aalborg University’s recruitment system, including all required documents. For further details, see the official vacancy pages or contact Assistant Professor Baran Yeter ([email protected]).