PhD Positions in Safe and Sustainable Offshore Aquaculture at IIT Madras (Ocean Engineering, Mechanical Engineering)

Two fully funded PhD positions are available at the Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT Madras) in the Department of Ocean Engineering, under the project "Safe and Sustainable Offshore Aquaculture." This international research initiative, funded by the Lloyd's Register Foundation, aims to strengthen the safety, resilience, and sustainability of offshore aquaculture systems. The project involves collaboration with universities and industry partners from the UK, Greece, India, Norway, and China, offering candidates opportunities for international research exposure, joint supervision, and research visits. The research areas include offshore aquaculture systems, renewable energy integration (wave/hybrid), fluid dynamics and ocean engineering, numerical modeling and simulation, sustainability and reliability analysis, and advanced materials for biofouling mitigation. The project also focuses on developing storm-resistant aquaculture cages, safer service vessels, and renewable energy solutions to reduce environmental impact. The findings will contribute to best practices and policy development in the offshore aquaculture sector. Eligibility criteria require applicants to hold an M.Tech. or MS in Ocean Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or related disciplines. Candidates should have a strong interest in offshore systems and renewable energy, with knowledge of coding, computational fluid dynamics (CFD), and finite element methods (FEM) considered advantageous. Good written and verbal communication skills in English are essential. All applicants must meet the Department of Ocean Engineering's PhD admission requirements and participate in an interview process. The application deadline is March 15, 2026. Interested candidates should fill out the application form provided in the announcement and are encouraged to apply through the IIT Madras admission portal. Informal queries can be directed to the project contact email. The project offers a dynamic, multidisciplinary research environment with significant international collaboration and training opportunities.