Modelling of subsea cable flow induced vibration effects in offshore wind farms - PhD Scholarship

This PhD scholarship is offered by the EPSRC Centre for Doctoral Training (CDT) in Offshore Wind Energy Sustainability and Resilience, a partnership between Durham, Hull, Loughborough and Sheffield universities. The project focuses on developing advanced computational modelling tools for subsea power transmission cables in offshore wind farms. The research addresses flow-induced vibration (FIV) phenomena that cause fatigue damage and failures in subsea cables, aiming to reduce cable-related reliability issues by 80% by 2028. The successful applicant will develop a time-domain strip-theory approach using Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) simulations to model fluid-structure interactions under varying environmental conditions. The four-year scholarship includes a six-month intensive training programme at the University of Hull, followed by PhD research at Durham University. The scholarship provides full funding including tuition fees and an annual stipend of £20,780 (2025/26 rates), increasing annually in line with EPSRC guidelines. Recipients will receive specialized training in OpenFOAM and fluid-solid interaction techniques, with opportunities to collaborate with leading industry partners including PDL Group, ORE Catapult, and Orcina. The programme combines cutting-edge academic research with practical industry applications, preparing graduates for careers in the rapidly expanding offshore renewable energy sector.