Unsteady hydrodynamics of autonomous ship manoeuvres with Hardware in the Loop (HIL) experiments University of Southampton in United Kingdom

Supervisory Team : Dr Nicholas Townsend, Prof Dominic Hudson

The ability to rapidly characterise and evaluate unsteady hydrodynamics of autonomous ship manoeuvres is a key challenge for the maritime sector. This is particularly important given the transition to smart, cyber-physical systems (e.g., autonomous ships and ports), emerging energy saving technologies (e.g., hydrodynamic appendages and wind propulsion technologies), increasingly stringent international and national regulations (e.g., EEXI/EEDI, CII), and government targets (e.g., net zero). To accelerate the development and ultimately deployment of these systems, in this PhD study you will develop and test novel Hardware in the loop (HIL) experimental methods to derive and evaluate the unsteady hydrodynamic characteristics and manoeuvres of smart ships and energy saving devices. The aim is to disrupt conventional testing techniques and accelerate the deployment of environmentally sustainable maritime technologies. In this PhD you will create and develop new experimental techniques and explore challenging unsteady hydrodynamics cases in the pursuit of improved ship performance. Through coupling simulation and experimental measurements in real-time, the research ambition is to significantly extend our collective testing capability and ability to explore and evaluate complex hydrodynamic interactions. You will be based in the Maritime Engineering group at the University of Southampton. The project will have the potential to spend time in Singapore with a partnering institution. You will have access to an array of hydrodynamics facilities including the 138x6x3.5m University of Southampton Boldrewood towing tank, the largest academic tank in the UK and first new facility of its kind for 50 years. In addition to networking opportunities and training through our existing doctorate training programmes and the Southampton Marine and Maritime Institute (SMMI). The PhD position would suit motivated candidates with knowledge or interest in any of the following: maritime engineering, unsteady hydrodynamics, experimental hydrodynamics, mechatronics, and ship efficiency.

Entry Requirements

You must have a UK 2:1 honours degree, or its international equivalent .

You must have knowledge or interest in any of the following:

• maritime engineering
• unsteady hydrodynamics
• experimental hydrodynamics
• mechatronics
• ship efficiency

How To Apply

Apply online: Search for a Postgraduate Programme of Study (soton.ac.uk) .

You need to:

• choose programme type (research), 2025/26, Faculty of Engineering and Physical Sciences

• please select if you will be full time or part time

• choose the relevant PhD in Engineering & Environment

• add name of the supervisor in section 2

Applications should include:

• personal statement

• CV (resumé)

• 2 reference letters

• degree transcripts to date