PhD Stipend in Advanced Design and Manufacturing Technologies for Subsea Offshore Renewable Infrastructure Applications

The Department of Energy at Aalborg University (AAU Energy) invites applications for a PhD position within the project “HVDC Subsea Electrode Unit”, starting from May 2026 or soon hereafter. The 3-year employment is funded by the Energy Technology Development and Demonstration Programme (EUDP) and aims to deliver a standardised, robust, and scalable subsea electrode unit for HVDC systems.

The PhD project will develop a methodological framework for reliability-based structural design and integrity management of the support structure of the subsea HVDC electrode unit, supported by experimental tests and validated numerical models, to enable lightweight, reliable, cost-efficient, and sustainable novel design concepts. The PhD will also explore additively manufactured (AM) concepts with strong fatigue, corrosion and biofouling resistance. Join this exciting academia–industry collaboration advancing next-generation HVDC subsea infrastructure and be part of a supportive, international research environment, working closely with academic and industrial partners as you develop into a recognised independent researcher.

Project context and key objectives
As offshore wind deployment expands farther from shore, HVDC transmission is increasingly used for efficient long-distance power transfer, where offshore corrective operations can be costly and logistically demanding. HVDC subsea electrode solutions can support affordable, reliable, and sustainable transmission by enabling installation directly on the seabed and reducing the need for additional protective barrier structures and associated costly vessel operations.
However, safe, cost-efficient and sustainable deployment requires life-cycle management strategies that account for environmental loading, soil–structure interaction, material behaviour, prominent degradation and failure mechanisms, and associated uncertainties.

Your work tasks
The PhD student will develop their own research track within the project, whilst supported by close supervision by AAU’s leading academics, and access to AAU Energy’s experimental and numerical modelling capabilities. The position is offered in the research group "Offshore Renewable Energy Systems", and the PhD student will be positioned at the Esbjerg section of AAU Energy. Expected activities include (but are not limited to):

• Gain in-depth understanding of the loads, material behaviour, and failure mechanisms (ultimate strength, fatigue, corrosion, and biofouling ) of subsea structures.
• Derive limit state functions associated with the failure mechanisms using high-fidelity Finite
  Element Analysis.
• Perform sensitivity and uncertainty analysis to uncover the most significant variables in the derived limit states.
• Develop a reliability-based structural design framework for the support structure involving target reliability levels and partial safety factors.
• Establish a risk-based structural integrity management framework offering optimal inspection and maintenance decision support.
• Explore additively manufactured structural concepts, including performance trade-offs for
  lightweight, fatigue- and corrosion-resistant solutions.
• Publish results in peer-reviewed journals and present at conferences; contribute to technical
  reports and collaborate with industrial partners.

Your competencies 

We are seeking candidates who possess, or are about to complete, a Master’s degree in Mechanical, Structural, Civil, Materials, or Ocean engineering, or a closely related discipline. A strong background and demonstrable interest in structural mechanics as well as engineering modelling, analysis and simulation is essential. Further, the ideal applicant will be capable of working independently, efficiently managing their own workload, and collaborating productively within a multidisciplinary team environment. As English is the working language, excellent communication skills are required for technical reporting, producing publications, and delivering presentations.
In addition, it would be advantageous for applicants to demonstrate proficiency in at least one scientific programming environment such as Python, MATLAB, or R. Familiarity with structural degradation phenomena—including fatigue, corrosion, and biofouling—would also be beneficial. Experience working with Finite Element Method (FEM) tools, such as Abaqus, ANSYS, OrcaFlex, or similar software, is highly regarded. Furthermore, an interest or practical experience in additive manufacturing, including design, materials and processes, or testing, would strengthen your application. Finally, a background or keen interest in statistics, statistical analysis, and surrogate-based modelling would be considered an asset.

Qualification requirements
PhD stipends are allocated to individuals who hold a Master's degree. PhD stipends are normally for a period of 3 years. It is a prerequisite for allocation of the stipend that the candidate will be enrolled as a PhD student at the Doctoral School of Engineering and Science in accordance with the regulations of Ministerial Order No. 1124 of September 19, 2025 on the PhD Programme at the Universities and Certain Higher Artistic Educational Institutions. According to the Ministerial Order, the progress of the PhD student shall be assessed at regular points in time. As part of the PhD study, you are among other things required to complete PhD courses corresponding to 30 ECTS, gain experience with teaching or other forms of knowledge dissemination and complete an external research stay outside of Aalborg University, preferably 3-6 months at a foreign research institution.

Who we are    
AAU Energy is a dynamic and internationally oriented research department at Aalborg University, dedicated to developing clean and sustainable energy systems. Our research spans electrical, thermal, and mechatronic energy technologies, and we work closely with industry and academic partners to address real-world energy challenges.

The department is located in both Aalborg and Esbjerg, and this position is based at the Esbjerg campus. AAU Energy employs approximately 300 staff members from diverse national backgrounds, including 39 technical and administrative staff, and regularly hosts 20-30 guest researchers from around the world.
We offer advanced laboratory and workshop facilities, and a collaborative environment that supports innovation, knowledge sharing, and professional development.

Learn more about AAU Energy at www.energy.aau.dk.

How to apply
Your application must include the following:

• Application, stating reasons for applying and qualifications in relation to the position
• Curriculum Vitae (CV)
• Diplomas (bachelor's and master's degree diploma, including grades) 
• Project description (4-5 pages), that:
  describes the applicant’s initial thoughts and ideas related to the specific project applied for. This includes a brief state-of-the-art (including short list of references), a time schedule and how the applicant intends to shed light on the project objectives.
• Other relevant documents

The application must be submitted via Aalborg University’s recruitment system, which can be accessed under the job advertisement on Aalborg University's website. 

Aalborg University wants to reflect the surrounding society and has diversity as a core value. Therefore, everyone, regardless of personal background and orientation, is encouraged to apply for the position.

Do you have any questions?     
If you have any questions about the position, you are more than welcome to contact us. You will find contact persons at the bottom of the jobpost.

Further information  
Read more about our recruitment process here.

The assessment of candidates for the position will be carried out by qualified experts.
Shortlisting will be applied. This means that after the application deadline, the head of the department, with the assistance of the hiring committee, will select the applicants to be assessed. All applicants will be informed whether they have been shortlisted for assessment or not.

The hiring process at Aalborg University may include a risk assessment as a tool to identify potential risks associated with new hires, ensuring the safety, compliance, and integrity of the workplace.

Read more about The Doctoral School of Engineering and Science

Salary and terms of employment

When pursuing a PhD at Aalborg University, you'll receive a stipend which includes both salary
and pension benefits. The base salary starts at a minimum of 31.242,75 DKK before taxes, with an
additional 18,07% added for pension contributions. However, the final salary can be negotiated
based on your qualifications and experience, with seniority playing a key role in determining the
main salary.
Read more about pension options here.

At Aalborg University's Doctoral School, engineering PhD students enjoy unique career
development opportunities. These include personalized DISC profile assessments with feedback,
career-focused courses, and networking events with trade unions, employers, and other relevant
parties. Learn more about these initiatives at our Career Hub.

The employment is in accordance with the Ministerial Order on the Appointment of Academic Staff at Universities (the Appointment Order) and the Ministerial Order on Job Structure for Academic Staff at Universities (in Danish).

Salary and terms of employment are in accordance with the collective agreement between the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations and the state (AC collective agreement) (in Danish)