Graduation Assignment - Wind Modelling of an SSCV

Heerema; Leiden; Remote; EUR 11,000 - 17,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Monthly internship allowance

Job summary

Heerema Marine Contractors seeks a final-year student for a graduation assignment in Leiden. You will analyze data to validate wind coefficients affecting vessel and crane dynamics and explore how alternative wind sensors influence DP performance.

A dynamic wind model will be assessed for its impact on offshore operations, under senior engineer guidance. The project offers insights into real offshore engineering challenges, with exposure to DP concepts, filtering, and simulation contexts at

Qualifications

• Final-year student in Mechanical/Maritime/Aerospace/Electrical/Controls/Data/Systems or Civil Engineering.
• Strong interest in offshore engineering and vessel dynamics.
• Experience with Python for data analysis is beneficial.

Responsibilities

• Analyze available data to validate wind coefficients for vessel and cranes.
• Investigate effects of alternative wind sensors on DP performance.
• Assess impact of a dynamic wind model on vessel performance and DP control.

Skills

Python

Data analysis

Statistics

Control theory

Education

BSc/MSc in Mechanical Engineering

Maritime Engineering

Electrical/Controls

Data/Systems

Civil Engineering

Job description

Graduation Assignment - Wind Modelling of an SSCV Job Alerts Link Graduation Assignment - Wind Modelling of an SSCV Job Description

Your role in the story

Are you a final-year student with a passion for offshore engineering and looking for a graduation assignment that makes real impact? Join us and become part of a team that works on complex and large-scale offshore projects within one of our engineering disciplines. Kick‑start your career with a graduation project in the heart of Marine and innovationEngineering. As a graduation student, you’ll dive into a challenging assignment that contributes directly to our operations, innovation efforts, or future developments. You'll be guided by experienced engineers and exposed to the practical world of offshore engineering, from concept development to project execution.

What’s the challenge

For critical offshore operations, such as monopile installation with a Motion Compensated Gripper Frame (MCGF)—the vessel’s DP footprint (horizontal position variation while on DP) is a key limiting factor, because excursions must remain within allowable operational margins. Reducing these excursions directly leads to an extended offshore operational window.

Wind is a major contribution to the disturbing forces on a SSCV. Measured wind is directly fed forward into the vessel DP system as a force via a pre defined wind coefficient. This wind coefficient is far from static as the vessel can change draft, has 2 big cranes which can have any orientation and there might be other effects we are not aware of. Your mission is to investigate the validity of these coefficients and wind model and access potential improvements.

Your mission & goals

• Data analysis of available data to find out validity of wind coefficients for vessel and cranes in different configurations.
• Effect of alternative wind sensors
• Effect a dynamic wind model on vessel performance

What you’ll gain

• Exposure to real offshore engineering problems where DP behavior matters for safety and operational performance.
• Knowledge of DP performance concepts, filtering/estimation framing, and simulation context (Heerema Simulation Center)
• Experience in how theoretical control theory connects to real world applications.

Is this you?

• Field of study: BSc or MSc (WO/HBO) in Mechanical, Maritime, Aerospace, Electrical/Controls, Data/Systems, or Civil Engineering
• Interest in: offshore operations, vessel motion & control, sustainability/efficiency, marine data analysis
• Technical skills: Python for data analysis; affinity with statistics, signal processing, or controls.
• Language: English required, Dutch is a plus
• Independent, analytical, and curious mindset

Practical Information

Start date: September 2026, flexible upon agreement

Duration: 6–9 months

Location: Leiden office / on-site + optional offshore exposure if relevant/possible

What we offer

• A challenging and meaningful assignment aligned with your study goals;
• Guidance from senior engineers and project leads; (and vessel crew?)
• Aninnovative work environment with access to cutting‑edge tools and infrastructure;
• A monthly internship allowance;
• Opportunities for future career steps within our company (internship as a stepping stone).

We are looking forward to hearing from you. We are interested in your CV, but we mainly want to find out more about your ambitions, your personality, and what is your motivation to succeed. So be sure to include a brief cover letter explaining why you are the perfect fit for this graduation assignment.

A unique maritime adventure

A unique maritime adventureAt Heerema Marine Contractors, we deliver the world’s most challenging offshore projects in the energy sector. From designing and engineering to transporting, installing, and removing offshore structures, we make the impossible possible — safely and sustainably.

Our success is built on the expertise and dedication of our diverse team, working together across offshore, onshore, and office-based roles. We value teamwork, innovation, and a can‑do mindset, and we are proud of our culture where colleagues support and inspire each other to achieve excellence.

Join Heerema and become part of a world‑class team shaping the future of the offshore industry.

Information at a Glance

Highlights

At Heerema Marine Contractors, we offer offshore jobs, engineering careers, and office opportunities worldwide. Join our team and make the impossible possible.

Job Location: HMC Leiden Business area: Engineering Job Level: Entry/Junior Req Id: 884