PhD Studentship in Tidal Stream Energy (CoTide Programme) University of Oxford in United Kingdom

This 3.5-year D.Phil. (PhD) studentship at the University of Oxford offers an exciting opportunity to contribute to the development of tidal stream energy, a cutting-edge renewable energy technology. The project is part of the CoTide programme, the UK's largest tidal energy research initiative, funded by EPSRC and led by Oxford in collaboration with three other universities and over twenty industry partners. CoTide aims to deliver scalable tidal stream energy solutions through innovative design processes, integrated tools, and demonstration projects, supporting the transition to Net Zero and climate change objectives.

The successful candidate will join the Environmental Fluid Mechanics group within the Department of Engineering Science, working alongside a diverse team of over twenty-five engineers and researchers. Research areas include turbine hydrodynamics and design, resource modelling, naval architecture, ocean engineering, system optimisation, and control co-design. The project involves advanced numerical modelling and optimisation techniques, supported by high performance computing and experimental facilities such as wave flumes.

Applicants should have a strong academic background in engineering, physics, applied mathematics, or a related field, with interests and preferably experience in fluid mechanics or offshore renewable energy. Essential skills include experimental investigation and scientific programming (Matlab, Python, Fortran, C/C++), as well as excellent English communication abilities. Experience in computational or experimental fluid dynamics is desirable but not required.

The studentship is open to both UK and international applicants, with course fees covered at the Home/ROI rate (£10,470 p.a. for 2026/7) and a tax-free stipend at the UKRI rate (£20,780 p.a. for 2026/7). International applicants should note that only Home rate fees are covered. The application deadline is noon on 2nd December 2025, with the programme starting in October 2026.

For further details about the CoTide project and the Environmental Fluid Mechanics group, visit cotide.ac.uk and eng.ox.ac.uk/efm/. Informal enquiries are encouraged and should be addressed to Prof. Richard Willden ([email protected]). Candidates must submit a graduate application form via the University of Oxford website, quoting reference ENGCI_RW in all correspondence and their application.