Postdoctoral researcher in numerical wave modelling for breaking wave impacts on offshore wind turbines (F/M/X)

Breaking waves can induce extreme loads (slamming) on fixed and floating offshore wind turbines. Despite a range of Joint Industry Projects (JIPs) in recent decades, many scientific questions remain to be answered, in particular: “What are the statistics, shape and kinematic properties of breaking waves in severe sea conditions?”, to determine which test conditions are needed to correctly estimate slamming forces when designing offshore wind turbines. In this project, wave conditions in intermediate water depths are of particular interest, including the effects of bathymetric variations.

Fully nonlinear and dispersive potential theory-based modeling (FNPF) will be used to investigate these quantities. The Whispers3D (Yates and Benoit, 2015; Raoult et al., 2016); Zhang and Benoit, 2021) computational code will be used primarily, combining an approach based on Chebyshev polynomials for the vertical distribution of the velocity potential and high-order numerical methods for the horizontal and temporal discretization. This code already has a module that allows reproducing the dissipation of energy during breaking wave events (Simon et al., 2019), which could be improved as part of the proposed post-doctorate (e.g. work on methods for modeling energy dissipation due to breaking and on breaking initiation and termination criteria).

In parallel, the work could also include a Boundary Element Method (BEM) FNPF approach (Grilli et al., 1989), for comparison or reproduction of laboratory test conditions. A similar breaking wave dissipation term is included in this model (Mohanlal et al., 2023) and enables long-term simulations.

The successful candidate will be required to:

• Participate in the definition of numerical experiments, carry out simulations with the FNPF models mentioned above, and analyze the results,
• Participate in the development and improvement of these FNPF codes with regard to breaking waves and demonstrate the benefits of these developments by means of validation test cases in comparison with experimental measurements.
• Generate a numerical database of breaking wave properties,
• Participate in DIMPACT+ project meetings, discuss the methods used and test cases selected, and share the results with other project partners,
• Disseminate results (write scientific articles, prepare a database and participate in international conferences).

The work will be carried out in collaboration between École Nationale des Ponts et Chaussées, EDF R&D and France Energies Marines.

Education
PhD in fluid mechanics, mechanics, engineering sciences, applied math and any other relevant domain

Specific knowledge

Required
· Hydrodynamics and wave physics
· Programming experience (e.g. Python, Matlab, Fortran, C++, etc.) for model implementation and data analysis

Desired
· Experience in using supercomputers
· Interest in marine renewable energies

Professional assets
· Scientific rigor
· Good writing skills
· Good oral and written communication in English
· Motivation to develop skills and acquire new knowledge
· Good teamwork skills

In accordance with regulations, priority will be given to people with disabilities.

WARNING: If you are unable to submit your application via our website, please send it by e-mail to contactrh@france-energies-marines.org, specifying the job reference in the subject field.