Research Assistant chez University System of New Hampshire

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The Research Assistant will work on the project “Wave Energy Converters for Powering the Blue Economy: a comprehensive modeling, lab testing and scale-up approach with a tunable reference model." This project aims to design, model, and prototype a two-body point absorber wave energy converter (WEC) to support blue economy applications. The work will begin with the modeling and simulation phase, followed by the prototyping and experimental validation of the WEC system. The fabricated prototype will be tested in the University of New Hampshire (UNH) wave tank to evaluate its performance and assess its potential integration with the UNH Aquaculture Farm (Aquafort) for sustainable offshore energy generation.

Duties/Responsibilities

Develop a Model for Tunable Wave Energy Converter Reference Model (10%)

• Review and modify the simulation model of the two-body point absorber for powering the blue economy applications in WEC-Sim and Capytaine.

• Identify and physically interpret the numerical values of the hydrodynamic coefficients obtained from Capytaine.

• Study different types of PTO systems and select the most suitable one for the two-body WEC.

• Evaluate the WEC’s power generation capability based on the power requirement of the Aquafort system.

Prototype of the Wave Energy Converter (40%)

• Design and prototype the two-body WEC suitable for testing in the UNH wave tank.

• Fabricate the system and integrate an appropriate power take-off (PTO) technology.

Testing of the Wave Energy Converter in the UNH Wave Tank (40%)

• Define and develop the testing scenarios for wave tank experiments.

• Conduct experimental testing of the fabricated WEC prototype in the UNH wave tank.

• Compare the experimental results with numerical values in frequency and time domain.

• Identify and highlight the main differences and findings between experimental and numerical values.

• Refine the prototype based on findings.

Thesis Preparation (10%)

• Finalize and deliver the completed WEC prototype.

• Prepare and submit a comprehensive written master’s thesis summarizing the modeling, prototyping, and testing phases.

Minimum Acceptable Education & Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree is required.

Applicant Instructions

Applicants should be prepared to upload the following documents when applying online within the Resume/Cover Letter section of your application:

• Resume/CV

• Cover Letter

Compensation Pay Range:

$29-$30/hour

Please be advised that this position is supported by external sponsor funding. As such, continued employment in this role is contingent upon the availability of those external funds. If, for any reason, the sponsor funding is reduced or discontinued, employment may be subject to modification or termination in accordance with applicable policies and procedures. 

The University of New Hampshire is an R1 Carnegie classification research institution providing comprehensive, high-quality undergraduate and graduate programs of distinction. UNH is located in Durham on a 188-acre campus, 60 miles north of Boston and 8 miles from the Atlantic coast and is convenient to New Hampshire’s lakes and mountains. There is a student enrollment of 13,000 students, with a full-time faculty of over 600, offering 90 undergraduate and more than 70 graduate programs. The University actively promotes a dynamic learning environment in which qualified individuals of differing perspectives, life experiences, and cultural backgrounds pursue academic goals with mutual respect and shared inquiry.

EEO Statement

The University System of New Hampshire is an Equal Opportunity/Equal Access employer. The University System is committed to creating an environment that values and supports diversity and inclusiveness across our campus communities and encourages applications from qualified individuals who will help us achieve this mission. The University System prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, genetic information, veteran status, or marital status.

The pay range for this position is listed above. Actual offer will be based on skills, qualifications, experience, and internal equity, in addition to relevant business considerations. More information on benefits can be found here: USNH Employee Benefits | Human Resources

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