PhD Candidate in Integrated Wind Turbine Modelling Tools for Drivetrain Health Monitoring Norwegian University of Science and Technology in Norway

The Department of Marine Technology at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) invites applications for a 3-year PhD position focused on integrated wind turbine modelling tools for drivetrain health monitoring. NTNU is a leading technical-scientific university located in Trondheim, Norway, with a strong commitment to professional education and research for societal benefit. The university hosts 9,000 employees and 43,000 students, fostering a vibrant academic environment.

This PhD project is part of FME NorthWind, the Norwegian Research Centre on Wind Energy, which aims to advance research and innovation for sustainable wind power development. The centre is led by SINTEF and includes NTNU, University of Oslo, NINA, NGI, and over 40 national and international industrial partners, forming a world-leading consortium in wind energy research.

The research will address the challenges of offshore wind turbine installations, which involve a two-stage design process: the standardized Rotor-Nacelle Assembly and tower, followed by the foundation or substructure tailored to site conditions. As turbines increase in size, the interaction between machinery and structure becomes more significant. Current practice often uses simplified drivetrain models in global analysis tools, neglecting coupling effects due to complexity. This project builds on NTNU's experience in drivetrain and global models, aiming to develop near real-time hybrid, data-driven models that consider the entire system and environmental loading for early fault detection.

The successful candidate will complete doctoral education, conduct high-quality research, publish academic and popular science work, and collaborate with supervisors and industry partners. Duties include creating a detailed PhD study plan, reporting progress, and adapting to evolving project needs. The position offers career guidance, a supportive international environment, and access to employee benefits as a member of the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund.

Applicants must have a master's degree in Marine Technology, Mechanical Engineering, or equivalent, corresponding to a five-year Norwegian master program with 120 credits at master's level. Final-year master's students may apply. A strong academic background (grade B or better) and good written and oral English skills are required. Preferred qualifications include programming skills (Matlab, Python), familiarity with multi-body dynamic tools, knowledge of statistics, and experience with data-driven methods or reduced order modelling (ROM).

The position is funded by the Norwegian Research Council, with a gross salary of NOK 550,800 per annum and a 2% statutory contribution to the State Pension Fund. The employment period is 3 years, and admission to the PhD program in Engineering within three months of employment is mandatory. Applicants must submit transcripts, diplomas, CV, master's thesis or draft, motivation letter, publications, certificates, and names/contact information of three referees. Documentation of education taken abroad and diploma supplements must be provided if applicable.

NTNU values diversity and aims to reflect societal diversity in its workforce. The university offers a modern European city experience in Trondheim, with excellent welfare, education, and family life opportunities. The Department of Marine Technology is dedicated to developing sustainable solutions for offshore renewable energy, marine robotics, and coastal infrastructure, contributing to global challenges in environment, climate, energy, food, and transport.

For questions about the position, contact Professor Amir Nejad at [email protected]. For recruitment process inquiries, contact Marit Gjersvold at [email protected]. Application deadline is 25th April 2026. Apply via Jobbnorge.no.