PhD Opportunity in Structural Mechanics for Self-Tuning Variable Length Systems in Wind Turbine Blade Vibration Reduction University of Trento in Italy

PhD opportunity in Structural Mechanics at the University of Trento for a project on Self-tuning Variable Length Systems for the Vibration Reduction of Wind Turbine Blades.

The position is supervised/announced by Francesco Dal Corso, Associate Professor at the University of Trento. The research is centered on structural mechanics, civil engineering, mechanical engineering, nonlinear dynamics, vibration control, and fatigue mitigation in wind turbine blades.

Research topics include: dimensionless formulation of nonlinear differential-algebraic systems, perturbation-based identification of self-tuning conditions, parametric analysis of elastic constraints, numerical space–time integration of nonlinear equations of motion, investigation of limit cycles and self-tuning frequency ranges, optimization of the number and placement of VLS devices, and assessment of vibration reduction and high-cycle fatigue improvements.

Funding: net salary of approximately €3,000/month for 36 months. The project also includes secondment periods at partner institutions.

Eligibility highlights: applicants must hold a Master’s degree (or equivalent) in Civil Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related field by 2026-07-10; be eligible for PhD admission; have graduated no more than six years before that date; not already hold a doctoral degree; and satisfy the mobility rule requiring no more than 12 months of residence or main activity in Italy during the three years before contract signing.

Application: the official application link will be available shortly. Interested candidates should contact the professor directly for more information and watch for the formal call.