PhD Position ‒ Engineer Adaptive Rotor Blade Structural Analysis and Lifetime Prediction (Bremerhaven, DE, 27572) presso Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft

Who we are ...
At the Fraunhofer Institute for Wind Energy Systems IWES, the energy transition becomes a reality every day. Our focus topics are: offshore wind energy, hydrogen, test infrastructure and digitization. More than 400 employees – including around 100 students – from over 50 countries work at nine locations in scientific and non-scientific teams on the development of innovative methods to accelerate the expansion of the wind energy and hydrogen economy, minimize risks, and increase cost efficiency. Do you want to join us in shaping a sustainable future?

What you will do

These duties await you ...
Your PhD research focuses on several topics like the development of a novel prognostics model based on the evaluation of sensor data and for this specialized methods. Purpose is the updating of digital twins and determination of the structural properties of rotor blades to improve the estimation of remaining useful lifetime (RUL) along with other requirements and simulations. Your work will advance the transition to renewable energy by providing a deeper understanding of the structural behavior of blades, which will lead to improvements in the design, lifetime, and energy production of wind turbines.

A diverse working day is guaranteed!
During the project, you will develop and implement self-learning control algorithms that balance computational demand and modeling precision. You will evaluate, interpret, and combine the results from experimental modal analyses and other tests. You will run structural simulations to replicate these experiments and compare the results to improve the quality of structural models. Additionally, you will identify pathways for industrialization. You will publish your findings in international journals and present them at conferences.

You will be part of a network!
“IntelliWind" is a European Industrial Doctoral Network. With a special emphasis on technology transfer between academia and industry, “IntelliWind” aims to train the next generation of experts to develop intelligent systems supporting autonomous wind power plant operations. As part of this program, you will spend 6 months at the Universidad de Castilla-La Mancha in Spain and 6 months at the Delft University of Technology in the Netherlands.

The program includes several training schools with a variety of specialized courses, as well as enrollment in a doctoral program at the Delft University of Technology in the Netherlands. You will meet regularly with the entire student and supervisory network at sites around Europe to share your progress, discuss challenges, and learn from the “IntelliWind” community.

More details about the program ...
“IntelliWind” is granted under the Horizon Europe Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions program (grant agreement 101168725). For more information, please visit: https://www.intelliwind.eu/

To be eligible for this program, you must not hold a doctoral degree (if you have successfully defended your doctoral thesis but have not yet been formally awarded your doctorate, you are not eligible). In addition, you cannot have spent more than 12 months in Germany in the last 3 years. If you do not meet these criteria, we will unfortunately be unable to consider your application.

What you bring to the table

What is your specialist background?
You should have completed your diploma or master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering or a similar field. Do you have a good understanding of mechanics or even dynamics and composites? Are you familiar with numerical simulation and optimization? You got some experience with data evaluation and analytics? Maybe you even have some knowledge of the wind industry and rotor blades? Great! Perhaps you have already carried out modal analysis and have experience in working scientifically. Are you familiar with programming languages such as Python and eager to pursue a post-graduate training? Perfect, then you should definitely keep reading! Your profile is completed by a very good command of English, as we operate on an international level.

What you can expect

How would you like to develop?
We support you on your professional journey. Whether personally, professionally, or methodically, we find the right qualification measures for you. While participating in the “IntelliWind” program, you will develop a set of transferable skills, contribute to overcoming major barriers in the green energy transition, and develop a broad professional network in the wind energy industry.

What we can offer you ...
We are approachable, share our expertise, and offer each other support, even when the duties in question are not our own. To take aspects of projects into consideration, we all work together closely, irrespective of our backgrounds. And, of course, we have experts at the institute who will gladly support you in achieving your PhD.

Eager to learn more?
If you would like to find out more information about the IWES, our research aspects, and your future colleagues, please visit our career website: https://s.fhg.de/5ei

The position is limited to 3 years. The weekly working time is 39 hours. Terms of contract according to European Commission's Marie Curie fellowship scheme.

We value and promote the diversity of our employees' skills and therefore welcome all applications - regardless of age, gender, nationality, ethnic and social origin, religion, ideology, disability, sexual orientation and identity. Severely disabled persons are given preference in the event of equal suitability.

The application process follows the EURAXESS Code of Conduct for Recruitment and will include diverse methods to understand candidates’ strengths and experiences.

With its focus on developing key technologies that are vital for the future and enabling the commercial utilization of this work by business and industry, Fraunhofer plays a central role in the innovation process. As a pioneer and catalyst for groundbreaking developments and scientific excellence, Fraunhofer helps shape society now and in the future. 

Interested? Apply online now. We look forward to getting to know you!

If you have any further questions, please contact:
Ms. Laura Tessmer
People & Development
The entire team is on hand to assist you further.
E-mail: [email protected] 
Phone: +49 471 14 290-230

Only online applications via the portal can be considered.
Please note that we observe the provisions of the valid General Data Protection Regulation when processing applications.

Fraunhofer Institute for Wind Energy Systems 

www.iwes.fraunhofer.de 

Requisition Number: 81622                Application Deadline: 10/26/2025