Barbara Simpson

Stanford University, under the leadership of Assistant Professor Barbara Simpson, is inviting applications for PhD and Postdoctoral positions in the field of offshore wind energy, digital twins, and environmental monitoring. These positions are part of a recently awarded project funded by the California Energy Commission (CEC) in collaboration with Sofar Ocean, focusing on the development of advanced algorithms and digital twin technologies for the monitoring and analysis of offshore wind infrastructure. The research, titled SEA-Scan: Structural and Environmental Algorithms for Sensing of Offshore Systems, aims to create a subsea digital twin of mooring line configurations. This digital twin will be integrated with machine learning algorithms to detect primary entanglement from fishing gear and secondary entanglement from marine animals, as well as to monitor the structural health of mooring lines. The project is highly interdisciplinary, combining elements of environmental science, mechanical and electrical engineering, and computer science. Applicants should have experience or strong interest in floating offshore wind, mooring line dynamics, digital twins, or real-time surrogate modeling. The positions offer the opportunity to work on cutting-edge research with real-world impact on renewable energy and marine environmental protection. Funding is provided by the CEC, and the research will contribute to the advancement of high voltage direct current (HVDC) substations and environmental monitoring technologies for floating offshore wind systems. Applications are considered on a rolling basis, with flexible start dates between January 1, 2026, and March 1, 2026. Interested candidates should review the position description and apply promptly. For more information, refer to the provided links or contact Professor Simpson via her LinkedIn profile.