PhD Position in Data-Informed Reduced Order Modelling for Wind Energy Structures

ETH Zurich

PhD position in Data-Informed Reduced Order Modelling for Wind Energy Structures

100%, Zurich, fixed-term

The Chair of Strutural Mechanics and Monitoring at ETH Zürich seeks to appoint a highly motivated PhD candidate for a fully funded, international doctoral position within the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Doctoral Networks (MSCA-DN) project Coupled Problems for Decarbonization in Industry and Power Generation (COMBINE). COMBINE brings together a consortium of leading academic and industrial partners to tackle advanced modelling, simulation, sensing, and data analysis challenges in engineering systems across sectors.

Project background

The COMBINE Doctoral Network aims to train a cohort of 17 doctoral candidates to address research challenges in coupled problems relevant to decarbonization, advanced simulation, sensing, and data-driven methods for energy and industrial systems. Through cross-institutional collaboration and industry engagement, COMBINE provides structured doctoral training, secondments, and interdisciplinary research experiences.

PhD position COMBINE-DC17 is hosted and matriculated at ETH Zurich, Switzerland, focusing on data-informed reduced order modelling for coupled problems in wind energy structures. This research contributes to the development of advanced adaptive reduced order model (ROM) frameworks tailored for fluid–structure interaction (FSI) and real-time monitoring/control challenges in wind turbine systems.

Job description

As a doctoral candidate in this role, you will be part of an international research environment, benefitting from network-wide training activities, interdisciplinary collaborations, and planned secondments to other COMBINE partner institutions. You will work at the interface of numerical simulation, data-driven modelling, and engineering applications for sustainable wind energy systems.

The doctoral research will involve:

  • Developing adaptive reduced order model frameworks that integrate real-time monitoring data and virtual sensing to select and adjust model fidelity dynamically.

  • Designing and validating virtual sensing methods to inform model adaptation and performance evaluation.

  • Implementing ROM methodologies for fluid–structure interaction in wind turbine systems, balancing accuracy and computational efficiency.

  • Validating adaptive ROM performance with high-fidelity model data and experimental or sensor-enhanced monitoring outputs.

  • Demonstrating the capability of adaptive ROMs for real-time simulation, decision support, and control applications in offshore wind energy contexts.

This position is offered for 36 months, with the earliest starting date as agreed upon recruitment. The primary academic advisor is Prof. Eleni Chatzi (ETH Zurich, D-BAUG), with additional mentorship provided during secondments at planned collaborating institutions (UGENT, TUM and CIMNE)

Profile

Applicants must hold a:

  • M.Sc. Diploma (120 ECTS points) or equivalent in civil, mechanical or electrical engineering, geosciences, physics, applied mathematics, computer sciences or related fields, and be at the beginning of their research career.
  • Principal qualifications include strong analytical and quantitative skills in numerical analysis, programming, high-performance computing, as well as skills in dynamics & structural health monitoring, data analysis and modelling, and interest in laboratory-based experimentation and engineering applications.
  • A solid knowledge of English as the spoken and written language of work is mandatory.

We expect good interpersonal skills, the ability to thrive in a diverse, multidisciplinary environment, ability to present work in international conference, as well as the willingness to spend a number of months working with project collaborators at partner universities in this project.

Eligibility Criteria: Researchers can be of any nationality. At the time of recruitment, researchers:

  • Should not have been awarded a title of PhD (Applicants who have successfully defended their doctoral thesis but not yet formally been awarded the doctoral degree will not be considered eligible.)
  • Should not have resided or carried out your main activity in Switzerland, for more than 12 months within the last 3 years

Workplace

We offer

  • We offer you the opportunity to be a part of COMBINE, which will not only facilitate seventeen Doctoral Candidates in reaching a high level of technical and project-specific excellence but will also provide you with many opportunities for developing skills that are transferable to a broader landscape of career paths. You will have the opportunity to visit industry and other academic institutions within the consortium. After completing the programme, you will have a thorough understanding of the process from research through innovation to industrial implementation, as well as a strong, career-defining international network.
  • Working, teaching and research at ETH Zurich
  • In line with our values, ETH Zurich encourages an inclusive culture. We promote equality of opportunity, value diversity and nurture a working and learning environment in which the rights and dignity of all our staff and students are respected. Visit our Equal Opportunities and Diversity website to find out how we ensure a fair and open environment that allows everyone to grow and flourish. Sustainability is a core value for us – we are consistently working towards a climate-neutral future.

chevron_right Working, teaching and research at ETH Zurich

We value diversity and sustainability

In line with our values, ETH Zurich encourages an inclusive culture. We promote equality of opportunity, value diversity and nurture a working and learning environment in which the rights and dignity of all our staff and students are respected. Visit our Equal Opportunities and Diversity website to find out how we ensure a fair and open environment that allows everyone to grow and flourish. Sustainability is a core value for us – we are consistently working towards a climate-neutral future.

Curious? So are we.

We look forward to receiving your online application including:

  • a letter of motivation
  • a CV
  • a clear designation for the position titled COMBINE DC17, which you are applying for
  • electronic copies of your academic diplomas and certificates
  • contact details for 2 referees preferably

The applications will be reviewed starting January 15th 2026 with the intent to conclude the search by April 30th 2026. Please note that we exclusively accept applications submitted through our online application portal. Applications via email or postal services will not be considered.

For further information please visit the website of the Chair of Structural Mechanics and Monitoring at ETH Zurich.

About ETH Zürich

ETH Zurich is one of the world’s leading universities specialising in science and technology. We are renowned for our excellent education, cutting-edge fundamental research and direct transfer of new knowledge into society. Over 30,000 people from more than 120 countries find our university to be a place that promotes independent thinking and an environment that inspires excellence. Located in the heart of Europe, yet forging connections all over the world, we work together to develop solutions for the global challenges of today and tomorrow.
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