Offshore Pile Load & Displacement Analysis

Nantes Université; France; On-site; EUR 42,000 - 54,000; Full time

Job summary

Nantes Université invites applications for a Postdoctoral Researcher to join the SLOOP project, focusing on soil-pile interaction under realistic offshore loading conditions. You will model monopile–sand interaction with high-fidelity ABAQUS simulations and integrate aero-hydrodynamic loads into the geotechnical workflow.

The role involves 3D finite element modelling, collaboration with hydrodynamics experts, and dissemination through journal papers and conferences, supporting MSc supervision

Qualifications

• PhD in geotechnical engineering or related field is required.
• Experience with offshore geotechnical problems and soil–pile interaction is essential.
• Strong background in high-fidelity numerical modelling of monopiles in sand is expected.
• Demonstrated track record of publications in relevant journals.

Responsibilities

• Offshore monopile loading analysis using aero-hydrodynamic loads and Morison-type time series.
• Develop, calibrate, and refine 3D ABAQUS models of monopile–sand interaction.
• Create simplified or macro-element models for cyclic loading scenarios.
• Collaborate with hydrodynamics experts and centrifuge specialists; contribute to project deliverables and dissemination.

Skills

3D Finite Element Modelling

ABAQUS

OpenFAST

Soil–pile interaction

Education

PhD in Geotechnical Engineering or related field

Tools

ABAQUS

OpenFAST

Job description

Organisation/Company Nantes Université Research Field Engineering Researcher Profile Established Researcher (R3) Application Deadline 5 Nov 2026 - 00:00 (UTC) Type of Contract Temporary Job Status Full-time Hours Per Week 35.0 Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme? Not funded by a EU programme Reference Number 5yn8almwiq Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure? No

Offer Description

Mission

The SLOOP project, funded by the ORACLE LabEx, addresses critical challenges in offshoreTwind turbine (OWT) design: the transition from deterministic to stochastic modelling. As OWTs move into deeper waters and larger scales, standard design methods struggle to capture the complex, long-term cumulative displacements caused by stochastic, multidirectional marine environments. SLOOP aims to bridge the gap by integrating advanced aero-hydrodynamic load simulation with high‑fidelity geotechnical response modelling. As a core member of the SLOOP research team, the Postdoctoral Researcher will contribute to Work Package #2, focusing on the soil-pile interaction under realistic offshore loading conditions. Key tasks include:

1. Offshore Monopile Loading Analysis: Integrate aero hydrodynamic load time series generated at École Centrale de Nantes using Morison’s equations, potential-flow theory, and OpenFAST into the geotechnical modelling workflow.
2. 3D Finite Element Modelling: Develop, calibrate, and refine high‑fidelity ABAQUS models of monopile–sand interaction. Use geotechnical centrifuge data from Gustave Eiffel University to calibrate advanced soil constitutive models (Hypoplastic, SANISAND). Simulate monotonic, unidirectional cyclic, and multidirectional loading conditions.
3. Design Tool Development: Develop simplified or macro‑element models for cyclic loading. Contribute to improved P–y curves, stiffness-degradation laws, and long‑term displacement prediction.
4. Collaboration and Dissemination: Participate in co-supervision of MSc interns. Work closely with hydrodynamics experts (ECN) and centrifuge specialists (UGE). Contribute to project deliverables and progress meeting. Prepare journal papers and conference contributions.

We offer a highly collaborative research ecosystem that connects three leading laboratories: GeM at Nantes Université, providing advanced expertise in soil mechanics; LHEEA at École Centrale de Nantes, a world‑class center for hydrodynamics modelling; and the Geotechnical Centrifuge Laboratory at Gustave Eiffel University, home to France’s national centrifuge testing facility. We provide access to high‑quality experimental and numerical datasets from major offshore geotechnical projects—including SOLCYP, SOLCYP+, MUTANC, and SLOOP. We provide new personal workstation and access to high-performance computing resources for numerical simulation. We support publication in top journals and participation in international conferences. We foster an interdisciplinary research collaboration within the ORACLE LabEx network, linking geotechnics, hydrodynamics, and offshore renewable energy.