Durham University
PDRA - Atmospheric and Inter-farm Aerodynamics of Multi-gigawatt Wind Farms
How your CV stacks up
Upload your CV to see how well it fits this job role
?%
Working at Durham University
A globally outstanding centre of teaching and research excellence, a warm and friendly place to work, a unique and historic setting – Durham is a university like no other.
As one of the UK’s leading universities, Durham is an incredible place to define your career. The University is located within a beautiful historic city, home to a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and surrounded by stunning countryside. Our talented scholars and researchers from around the world are tackling global issues and making a difference to people's lives.
We believe that inspiring our people to do outstanding things at Durham enables Durham people to do outstanding things in the world. Being a part of Durham is about more than just the success of the University, it’s also about contributing to the success of the city, county and community.
Our University Strategy is built on three pillars of research, education and wider student experience, but also on our keen sense of community and of inspiring others to achieve their potential.
Our Purpose and Values
We want our university to be a place where people can be free to be themselves, no matter what their identity or background. Together, we celebrate difference, value one another and are each responsible for creating an inclusive community that is respectful and fair for all.
Find out more about the benefits of working at the University and what it is like to live and work in the Durham area on our Why Join Us? - Information Page
The Role and Department
This role sits at the exciting intersection of the Department of Engineering and the Department of Mathematical Sciences. Engineering and Mathematical Sciences at Durham are both consistently ranked among the UK's top departments in 2026, with Engineering placed 5th in the Complete University Guide and 6th in the Guardian University Guide, and Mathematical Sciences ranked 3rd in The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide and 5th in both the Complete University Guide and the Guardian University Guide. This role offers a unique opportunity to work on a highly interdisciplinary project. You will be joining a dynamic and supportive research environment that actively encourages innovation and collaboration, with full support for hybrid and flexible working arrangements.
Applications are invited for a Postdoctoral Research Associate to work on a major EPSRC-funded project: Atmospheric and Inter-farm Aerodynamics of Multi-gigawatt Wind Farms. This project is a collaboration between Durham University and Imperial College London, supported by a world-class international advisory board including The Crown Estate, Equinor, DNV, ORE Catapult, DTU, NREL, Addlewshaw Goddard LLP and universities of Oxford, Surrey and Manchester.
As multi-gigawatt offshore wind farms expand globally, their enormous wakes extend for tens of kilometres, triggering unprecedented "wake disputes" between neighbouring wind farms. This challenge is further complicated at the multi-gigawatt scale by a newly emerging phenomenon: the ability of these massive farms to generate atmospheric gravity waves, leading to highly complex, two-way interactions between the wakes and the overlying atmosphere. While the wider project combines both experimental and computational tools, this position at Durham University focuses on the numerical and mathematical modelling of these complex atmospheric phenomena.
This is a multifaceted research role that draws on mathematical modelling, high-fidelity numerical simulation, and close experimental collaboration. Working alongside our partners at Imperial College London, you will integrate your mathematical models and computational results with their complementary experimental wind-tunnel and water-flume data. Leveraging your strong background in high-fidelity simulations and mathematical modelling, you will use these combined datasets to develop a new generation of mathematically rigorous, physics-based reduced-order models. These novel models and parameterisations will ultimately be integrated into meso-scale weather models to aid in the design and performance prediction of future multi-gigawatt offshore wind installations. This is an exciting opportunity for a researcher with strong computational and mathematical expertise to work at the forefront of renewable energy and de-risk the next generation of offshore wind projects.
Reasons to use Rodeo
Start with a chat, not a search bar
Grad scheme, placement, apprenticeship? Not sure what you want yet — that's fine. Your agent talks it through with you and turns "I have no idea" into a shortlist.
It searches the market for you
Every day your agent scans the market matching roles against what actually matters to you, not just keywords on a CV.
Only hits
No noise. No "maybe this fits." Just roles with a clear explanation of why they're right — and where to focus when applying.
Key responsibilities:
- To develop mathematically rigorous, physics-based reduced-order models for multi-gigawatt wind farm aerodynamics.
- To conduct advanced high-fidelity simulations of complex atmospheric boundary layers and wind farm flows.
- To use and parameterise weather mesoscale models to predict large-scale wake interactions and gravity wave effects.
- To understand and convey material of a specialist or highly technical nature to the team or group of people through presentations and discussions that lead to the presentation of research papers in conferences and publications.
- To prepare and deliver presentations on research outputs/activities to audiences which may include: research sponsors, academic and non-academic audiences.
- To publish high quality outputs, including papers for submission to peer reviewed journals and papers for presentation at conferences and workshops under the direction of the Principal Investigator or Grant-holder.
- To assist with the development of research objectives and proposals.
- To conduct individual and collaborative research projects under the direction of the Principal Investigator or Grant-holder.
- To work with the Principal Investigator or Grant-holder and other colleagues in the research group, as appropriate, to identify areas for research, develop new research methods and extend the research portfolio.
- To deal with problems that may affect the achievement of research objectives and deadlines by discussing with the Principal Investigator or Grant-holder and offering creative or innovative solutions.
- To liaise with research colleagues and make internal and external contacts to develop knowledge and understanding to form relationships for future research collaboration.
- To plan and manage own research activity, research resources in collaboration with others and contribute to the planning of research projects.
- To deliver training in research techniques/approaches to peers, visitors and students as appropriate.
- To be involved in student supervision, as appropriate, and assist with the assessment of the knowledge of students.
- To contribute to fostering a collegial and respectful working environment which is inclusive and welcoming and where everyone is treated fairly with dignity and respect.
- To engage in wider citizenship to support the department and wider discipline.
- To engage in continuing professional development by participation in the undergraduate or postgraduate teaching programmes or by membership of departmental committees, etc. and by attending relevant training and development courses.
The post-holder is employed to work on research/a research project which will be led by another colleague. Whilst this means that the post-holder will not be carrying out independent research in his/her own right, the expectation is that they will contribute to the advancement of the project, through the development of their own research ideas/adaptation and development of research protocols.
Get help with your application
Your very own career expert that helps elevate your application to the next level.
This post is fixed term for three and a half years, given the nature of the funding. Successful applicants will, ideally, be in post by 1st February 2027; however, alternative start dates can be discussed.
Working at Durham
A competitive salary is only one part of the many fantastic benefits you will receive if you join the University:
- You’ll receive 30 days annual leave per year in addition to 8 public holidays and 4 customary days per year – a total of 42 days per year. The University closes between Christmas and New Year.
- We offer a generous pension scheme, and as a new member of staff you will be automatically enrolled into the University Superannuation Scheme (USS).
- No matter how you travel to work, we have you covered. We have ample parking across campus, a cycle to work scheme which helps you to buy a bike and discount with local bus and train companies. You can also take advantage of our cost-effective and environmentally friendly Tusker Car Benefit Scheme, allowing you to lease a brand-new electric or hybrid vehicle with savings on tax and National Insurance.
- We have a genuine commitment to developing our colleagues professionally and personally. There is a comprehensive range of development courses, apprenticeships and access to qualifications and routes to develop your career in the University. All staff have dedicated annual time to concentrate on their personal development opportunities.
- We provide wide-ranging health and wellbeing support including discounted membership for our state-of-the-art sport and gym facilities and access to a 24-7 Employee Assistance Programme.
- Our on-site nursery is rated Outstanding by Ofsted, and you can access holiday camps for children aged 5-16.
- Our family-friendly policies, including maternity and adoption leave, are among the most generous in the higher education sector (and likely above and beyond many employers).
- We offer all staff the opportunity to take part in volunteering activities to make a difference in the local community.
- You can access exclusive discounts via our benefits portal including money off at supermarkets, high street retailers, IT products such as Apple, eating out and days out at various attractions.
- Various salary sacrifice schemes are also available to help you take advantage of tax savings on benefits.
- If you are moving to Durham, you may be eligible for help with removal costs, and we have a dedicated team who can help you with the practicalities such as house hunting and schools. If you need a visa, we cover most visa costs and offer an interest-free loan scheme to pay for dependant visas.
Discover more about our total rewards and benefits package here.
Durham University is committed to equality, diversity and inclusion
Equality, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) are a key component of the University’s Strategy and a central part of everything we do. We also live by our Purpose and Values and our Staff Code of Conduct. At Durham we actively work towards providing an environment where our staff and students can study, work and live in a community which is supportive and inclusive.
We welcome and encourage applications from those who are currently under-represented in our workforce, including people with disabilities and from racially minoritised ethnic groups.
If you have taken a career break
“It took my CV and asked me questions relevant to understanding what kind of jobs to suggest for me. Suggestions were almost perfect. Jobs were exactly what I’ve been looking for.”
Jessica, London
Skills
Location