Large-scale Wind Farm Optimisation: Fully Funded PhD Studentship in Modelling and Optimisation of Large-Scale Wind Turbine Arrays (RS935)

Funding providers: UKRI IDLA and Dyson Institute 

Project start dates: 1st October 2026 **(Please see the note below regarding potential later start dates)

Supervisors: Dr Sam Rolland (SU), Dr Alison Williams (SU), Dr Farzaneh Hafezi (DI), Dr Mehdi Biroun (DI) 

Aligned Programme of Study: PhD in Aerospace Engineering 

Mode of study: Full-time  

Place of study: Based at Swansea University, with a placement at the Dyson Institute (6 to 12 months) 

Funding duration: 4 years  

Project description:
Large-scale wind turbines, specifically located offshore, present very specific technical challenges. Structural design and optimisation of performance in energy conversion are dependent on a correct estimation of the effects of flow, but scale and interaction between devices have a significant impact.  

In this project you will work on and develop numerical modelling capabilities for arrays of turbines with non-homogeneous flows and wake effects. The modelling technology will be leveraged to develop optimisation techniques for the operation of wind turbine arrays.  

The specific challenges will include understanding and modelling turbine wakes and their effects, understanding the interaction mechanisms and producing a reduced order model deployable for multiple devices.  

In this project, you will work with the Zienkiewicz Institute for Modelling, Data and AI and the Dyson Institute. The work is expected to result in publishable research works and funding is available to attend conferences. To maximise the impact of the work, the work is anticipated to be made available as open-source software (subject to intellectual property review).  

The work is a collaboration with the Dyson Institute, sponsored by a UKRI IDLA Award. You will receive academic supervision from Swansea University and the Dyson Institute of Engineering and Technology. The position includes a minimum six-month industrial placement at Dyson, offering experience in both academic research and industry-focused R&D environments. This project also offers opportunities to engage in teaching activities and mentoring, both in Swansea University and Dyson Institute providing a comprehensive training experience that prepares the student for successful academic and industrial careers. 

To be successful, the applicants are expected to demonstrate a strong interest in flow modelling techniques and experience in programming.  

Proficiency in clear scientific writing and in data analysis is important. 

The successful candidate will be expected to demonstrate a level of self-determination and planning commensurate with career stage in their CV and through their application document.  

UK & International students 

EPSRC IDLA studentships are available to home and international students. Up to 30% of our cohort can comprise international students, once the limit has been reached, we are unable to make offers to international students.  

International students will not be charged the fee difference between the UK and international rate. Applicants should satisfy the UKRI eligibility requirements. 

PhD: Applicants for PhD must hold an undergraduate degree at 2.1 level (or non-UK equivalent as defined by Swansea University) in Engineering or similar relevant science discipline. 

English Language 

IELTS 6.5 Overall (5.5+ each comp.) or Swansea University recognised equivalent. Full details of our English Language policy, including certificate time validity, can be found here. 

Note for international and European applicants: details of how your qualification compares to the published academic entry requirements can be found on our Country Specific Entry Requirements page. 

Please note that the programme requires some applicants to hold ATAS clearance, further details on ATAS scheme eligibility are available on the UK Government website.  

ATAS clearance IS NOT required to be held as part of the scholarship application process. Successful award winners (as appropriate) are provided with details as to how to apply for ATAS clearance in tandem with a scholarship course offer

This scholarship covers the full cost of tuition fees and an annual stipend at UKRI rate of £20,780.  

This award also includes an annual stipend top up at a minimum of £2,000 a year.   

There is also an enhanced RTSG (Research Training Support Grant) available for this award.   

To apply, please complete the entire application form:

In order to be considered for this scholarship award the following steps are also required. 

1) In section ‘Programme Related Information’ please input the relevant RS Code for the scholarship award i.e. RS935 

2) In section ‘Research’ you will see ‘Proposed project title/studentship title’* (Mandatory) 

• In ‘Proposed project title/studentship title’ please input both:  
  • the RS Code, RS935 and 
  • the scholarship title
• Please leave Proposed Supervisor field blank 
• Please leave Research Project (if applicable) blank 
• In ‘Do you have a proposal to upload?*’(Mandatory) Please select Yes 
• Then upload copy of advert (you can save the advert by clicking print, and then print to pdf) 

3) In section ‘Funding information’ please choose the option ‘Scholarship Funding’ only. Please ensure no other options are selected.  

*It is the responsibility of the applicant to list the above information accurately when applying, please note that applications received without the above information listed will not be considered for the scholarship award.  

If you’ve previously applied for this programme, the system will display an “Application Submitted” warning and block a new submission. In this case:  

1. Apply for the same course with the next available start date (e.g., select January if October is unavailable).  
2. Email pgrscholarships@swansea.ac.uk with your student number and the relevant scholarship RS code, requesting the start date be amended to match the advert.  
3. Admissions staff will then update your application accordingly. 

One application is required per individual Swansea University led research scholarship award; applications cannot be considered listing multiple Swansea University led research scholarship awards. 

NOTE: Applicants for PhD/EngD/ProfD/EdD - to support our commitment to providing an environment free of discrimination and celebrating diversity at Swansea University you are required to complete an Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Monitoring Form in addition to your programme application form.    

Please note that completion of the EDI Monitoring Form is mandatory; your application may not progress if this information is not submitted. 

As part of your online application, you MUST upload the following documents (please do not send these via email): 

• CV 
• Degree certificates and transcripts (if you are currently studying for a degree, screenshots of your grades to date are sufficient) 
• A cover letter including a ‘Supplementary Personal Statement’ to explain why the position particularly matches your skills and experience and how you choose to develop the project. 
• One reference (academic or previous employer) on headed paper or using the Swansea University reference form. Please note that we are not able to accept references received citing private email accounts, e.g. Hotmail. Referees should cite their employment email address for verification of reference. 
• Evidence of meeting English Language requirement (if applicable). 
• Copy of UK resident visa (if applicable) 
• Confirmation of EDI form submission 

Informal enquiries are welcome; please contact Dr Sam Rolland, s.rolland@swansea.ac.uk 

*External Partner Application Data Sharing – Please note that as part of the scholarship application selection process, application data sharing may occur with external partners outside of the University, when joint/co- funding of a scholarship project is applicable. 

** In exceptional circumstances, and subject to the discretion of the University and/or the relevant funding body, a deferral of offer may be granted to the next available enrolment period. Such deferral will typically not exceed a duration of three calendar months from the originally stipulated commencement date. Please note that only one deferral may be considered, and any such deferral is not guaranteed.