PhD Researcher: Physics-Enhanced ML for Floating Wind

Aalto University; Espoo; On-site; EUR 30,000 - 36,000; Full time

Job summary

Aalto University is seeking a Doctoral Researcher to develop physics-enhanced machine-learning models for floating offshore wind digital twins. The role blends hydrodynamics, ML and real-time data to predict and update turbine dynamics, with collaboration across international partners and industry guidance guiding the work.

The position is based at Otaniemi, Espoo, starts 28 January 2027 or as agreed, and includes a competitive doctoral salary.

Qualifications

• Master's degree completed by start date in a relevant field.
• Strong foundation in linear algebra and in at least one of hydrodynamics/ fluid mechanics, structural dynamics, dynamical systems, or signal processing.
• Good programming skills in Python or a similar language, together with a genuine interest in machine learning.
• Curiosity, independence, and the ability to communicate clearly and work well in a team.

Responsibilities

• Develop physics-enhanced machine-learning models that learn coupled hydrodynamic and structural dynamics from data and update in real time.
• Embed hydrodynamic knowledge to keep models physically consistent across sea states.
• Estimate wave-induced motions and mooring loads that cannot be measured directly.
• Detect early mooring-system or structural degradation and distinguish it from normal variations.
• Quantify the uncertainty of estimates using Bayesian filtering and probabilistic machine learning.
• Generate and analyse data from hydrodynamic simulations, including potential-flow methods and CFD tools such as OpenFAST/OpenFOAM/REEF3D as needed.
• Publish results in leading journals and present at conferences.

Skills

Python programming

Machine learning

Linear algebra

English proficiency

Education

Master's degree

Tools

OpenFAST

MoorDyn

WAMIT

Job description

Aalto University is seeking a Doctoral Researcher to develop physics-enhanced machine-learning models for floating offshore wind digital twins. The role blends hydrodynamics, ML and real-time data to predict and update turbine dynamics, with collaboration across international partners and industry guidance guiding the work.

The position is based at Otaniemi, Espoo, starts 28 January 2027 or as agreed, and includes a competitive doctoral salary.