Research Assistant

At the research group Wind Energy Systems, ForWind - Center for Wind Energy Research, Institute of Physics of the University of Oldenburg, there is a vacant PostDoc position starting **as soon as possible** for a

**Research Assistant (f/m/d)**
(Salary according to TV-L E13, 100 %)

The research focus will be on **Modelling wind fields and their evolution in the wind turbine inflow using lidar measurements**. The design and operation of future large wind turbines and wind farms require an in-depth understanding of the evolution of the turbulent wind in the atmosphere and its interaction with the rotor. To analyse this, we will scan the entire wind field in front of multi-megawatt wind turbines with a high spatial and temporal resolution, using the laser-based technique lidar (light detection and ranging) and multiple measurement masts.

The main goal of the research project is the modelling and analysis of turbulent wind fields measuring the turbine inflow.

Among others, the job will comprise:

- conducting free-field campaigns with the short-range SpinnerLidar operating in the rotating hub (spinner) of a wind turbine and with long-range lidars in wind farms
- processing large amounts of data by combining lidar measurements, meteorological information, and turbine data
- development of advanced wind field reconstruction methodologies
- modelling of turbulent wind fields and their propagation in the turbine inflow
- active collaboration with colleagues on measurement techniques, numerical fluid dynamics and analytical modelling
- scientific tasks in further research projects dealing with lidar measurements and the modelling of atmospheric flow
- close communication with partners from industry and academia and exchange of scientific results at conferences. The main research will be conducted in close cooperation with several academic and industrial partners.
- a qualifying university degree (diploma or master) in Meteorology, Physical Sciences, Mathematics, Engineering, Wind Energy, Remote Sensing or a similar field
- a completed doctorate (or a doctorate that is at least close to completion) in Meteorology, Physical Sciences, Wind Energy, Remote Sensing or equivalent
- profound knowledge of at least two of the following three fields: experimental/numerical fluid dynamics, statistical analysis of large data amounts, measurement techniques
- experience in lidar wind measurement and wind field reconstruction techniques
- extensive experience in programming with at least Matlab or Python
- high motivation and ability to work on a complex research topic
- fluency in communicating and reporting in English

Experience in the execution of lidar measurements, international experience gained during high school or university studies and German language capabilities are a plus.

The employment is initially limited to three years. A further project-based prolongation is intended.

**Research environment at ForWind - University of Oldenburg**
Wind energy research at the University of Oldenburg has gained international recognition by its integration into ForWind - Center for Wind Energy Research of the Universities of Oldenburg, Hannover and Bremen and into the national Wind Energy Research Alliance of the German Aerospace Center (DLR), Fraunhofer Institute for Wind Energy Systems (IWES) and ForWind.

At ForWind we maintain and value collaboration with partner institutions such as the members of the European Academy of Wind Energy as well as within our individual research groups. In Oldenburg, our 50 researchers from the fields of physics, meteorology and engineering are collaborating at the »Research Laboratory for Turbulence and Wind Energy Systems« centred on wind physics. Our mission is to develop the improved understanding of atmospheric and wind power plant flow physics required to serve the global demand for clean and affordable electricity. Therefore, we conduct laboratory experiments, free-field measurements and HPC-based numerical simulations. Main topics include the description and modelling of wind turbulence, the analysis of interactions of turbulent atmospheric wind flow and wind energy systems, as well as control of wind turbines and wind farms. The covered scales range from small-scale turbulence up to meteorological phenomena. Our research facilities comprise three turbulent wind tunnels, various equipment for free-field measurements at on
- and offshore wind farms and a high-performance computing cluster. Almost all our projects combine analyses at more than one of these infrastructures. For instance, for validation purposes our lidars are operated in the wind tunnel, where user-defined turbulence and gust patterns can be reproduced. Furthermore, virtual lidar measurements can be performed in simulated three-dimensional flow fields to verify the analysis algorithms.

**Contact**

The pdf file must include:

- Curriculum vitae
- Grade transcripts and BSc/MSc/PhD diploma
- Employment references
- A one-p