Hosting Information
- Offer Deadline: Wed, 9 Sep 2026 - 17:00
- EU Research Framework Programme: Horizon Europe - MSCA
- Country: Türkiye
- City: İstanbul
Organisation/Institute
- Organisation / Company: Yildiz Technical University
- Department: Department of Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering
- Is the Hosting related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure? No
Contact Information
- Organisation / Company Type: Higher Education Institution
- Website: https://www.yildiz.edu.tr
- Email: [contact details available in the full listing]
- Postal Code: 34220
- Street: Davutpaşa Mah. Davutpaşa Caddesi Esenler
Description
Experimental and Numerical Investigation of a Hybrid Wave Energy Converter Integrating an Oscillating Water Column and a Heave-Type Point Absorber
Host Institution
Department of Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering
Yildiz Technical University (YTÜ), Istanbul, Türkiye
Yildiz Technical University is a leading research institution in Türkiye, ranked among Türkiye's top technical universities and actively engaged in European research networks. The Department of Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering specializes in marine renewable energy systems, with strong international collaborations and advanced experimental and computational research capabilities.
Research Area
- Marine Renewable Energy
- Experimental Hydrodynamics
- Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD)
- Wave–Structure Interaction
- Offshore Engineering
- Sustainable Energy Systems
About the Opportunity
This Expression of Interest invites applications from outstanding postdoctoral researchers interested in preparing a competitive joint proposal for the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) Postdoctoral Fellowship 2027 (European Type). The selected candidate will receive institutional supervision and mentoring to develop an innovative research project on hybrid wave energy conversion systems.
Important Note: This is an Expression of Interest for supervision support. Successful candidates will be invited to jointly prepare a formal MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowship proposal for submission to the European Commission (Call deadline: 9 September 2026). The actual fellowship will commence in May 2027 (subject to EC evaluation results).
The proposed research aims to investigate a novel hybrid concept that combines an Oscillating Water Column (OWC) with a heave-type Wave Energy Converter (WEC) equipped with a Power Take-Off (PTO) damping system. Unlike conventional standalone OWC devices, the proposed configuration utilizes the floating heave body as an active hydrodynamic element that simultaneously extracts wave energy and modifies the incoming wave field before it reaches the OWC chamber.
This innovative approach represents a significant advancement toward sustainable ocean energy harvesting, addressing critical gaps in hybrid renewable energy technology and contributing to Europe's climate neutrality targets. The project seeks to improve both overall energy conversion efficiency and structural survivability by optimizing the interaction between the two energy conversion mechanisms.
The successful fellow will participate in both experimental investigations and high-fidelity numerical simulations, contributing to the development and validation of advanced hydrodynamic models for hybrid wave energy systems. The fellowship offers unique opportunities to establish an international research profile, publish in leading journals, present at world-class conferences, and develop independent research leadership in marine renewable energy.
The Research Project
The proposed research aims to investigate a novel hybrid wave energy converter concept that combines an Oscillating Water Column (OWC) with a heave-type Wave Energy Converter (WEC) equipped with an advanced Power Take-Off (PTO) damping system.
Unlike conventional standalone OWC devices, the proposed configuration utilizes the floating heave body as an active hydrodynamic element that simultaneously:
- Extracts wave energy from incident waves
- Modifies the incoming wave field before it reaches the OWC chamber
- Optimizes the pressure response inside the OWC pneumatic chamber
This innovative coupling promises to significantly improve both overall energy conversion efficiency and structural survivability by optimizing the interaction between the two energy conversion mechanisms, while reducing costs and environmental impacts through better resource utilization.
The selected fellow will participate in:
- Experimental investigations in controlled wave basin conditions
- High-fidelity numerical simulations using validated CFD methods
- Development and validation of advanced hydrodynamic models for hybrid wave energy systems
- International collaboration and knowledge dissemination
Research Objectives
The project will focus on the following key research objectives:
Experimental Stream:
- Experimental investigation of a hybrid OWC–heave WEC system in regular and irregular waves
- Quantification of free-surface oscillations inside the OWC chamber
- Measurement of pneumatic pressure, airflow characteristics, and available pneumatic power
- Evaluation of mechanical power extracted from the heave-type PTO system
- Investigation of wave reflection, transmission, and overall energy balance
- Analysis of hydrodynamic loads acting on the OWC structure
- Experimental tests at different scales to assess scale effects and estimate full-scale performance
Numerical Stream:
- Development and validation of CFD models using the RANS–VOF (Reynolds-Averaged Navier-Stokes with Volume of Fluid) approach
- Comparison of numerical predictions with experimental measurements
- Dynamic mesh techniques for moving boundary representation
Optimization & Guidelines:
- Parametric optimization of:
- PTO damping coefficient
- Draft of the floating body
- Relative distance between the heave device and the OWC chamber
- Wave frequency responsiveness
- Establishment of design guidelines for highly efficient and structurally reliable hybrid wave energy converters
Host Researcher & Supervision Structure
Hosting Researcher:
Fatih Cüneyd Korkmaz
Department of Marine Engineering
Yildiz Technical University
Email: fkorkmaz@yildiz.edu.tr
The hosting researcher will provide:
- Daily mentoring and research guidance
- Access to experimental facilities and computing resources
- Support in proposal development and research planning
- Co-authorship on publications and conference presentations (where applicable)
- Career development advice and professional networking facilitation
Research Environment
The fellow will join an active, internationally-recognized research group working on:
- Marine renewable energy systems and wave energy converters
- Sloshing dynamics and liquid motion in vessels
- Wave impact problems and fluid-structure interaction
- Offshore hydrodynamics and marine engineering
Experimental Infrastructure:
- Wave Tank Facility: 50 m long, 1 m wide, and 80 cm deep, with a wavemaker frequency range of 0.4–2.5 Hz. Also includes a 30 m x 30 m wave pool for free surface testing.
- Instrumentation: Pressure sensors, wave height gauges, particle image velocimetry (PIV), dynamic load cells, data acquisition systems
Computational Resources:
- Software: ANSYS Fluent, ANSYS CFX, OpenFOAM, Salome-Meca, Paraview
- Additional Tools: MATLAB, Python, Jupyter notebooks for data analysis
Collaborative Environment:
- Active international collaborations with [Partner institutions - "UCL, UK; TUHH, Germany; UMT, Malaysia"]
- Access to leading conferences and publication networks (Ocean Engineering, Applied Ocean Research, Renewable Energy)
Project Timeline
Fellowship Duration:
- Proposed duration: 24 months (standard MSCA European Postdoctoral Fellowship)
- Planned start date: May 2027 (subject to EC approval)
- Planned end date: May 2029
Additional institutional support includes:
- Access to office space, computing resources, and laboratory facilities
- Visa and work permit support (YTÜ administrative support)
Expected Profile of the Candidate
Applicants should:
Educational Requirement:
- Hold a PhD degree (or have successfully defended their thesis) in one of the following disciplines:
- Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering
- Ocean Engineering
- Mechanical Engineering
- Civil Engineering (Hydraulics/Coastal Engineering)
- Renewable Energy Engineering
- Applied Mechanics
- Closely related fields
Research Experience:
- Maximum 8 years of full-time research experience from the date of PhD award (MSCA eligibility requirement)
- PhD thesis should be directly or closely related to hydrodynamics, marine engineering, or renewable energy
Highly Desirable Experience (one or more):
- Experimental hydrodynamics and wave basin testing
- Wave–structure interaction and marine renewable energy
- CFD modelling using ANSYS Fluent, OpenFOAM, or equivalent codes
- Volume of Fluid (VOF) methods and RANS simulations
- Dynamic mesh techniques and moving boundary problems
- Data acquisition, signal processing, and experimental design
- MATLAB or Python programming for scientific computing
- Scientific publishing in peer-reviewed journals (minimum 3 publications)
Personal Qualities:
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
- Ability to work independently and as part of a multidisciplinary team
- Excellent communication skills in English (written and oral)
- Motivation for research career development
- Commitment to research ethics and responsible conduct
Eligibility Requirements
Applicants must satisfy ALL of the following criteria:
- PhD Status: Hold a PhD degree or have successfully defended their thesis before or by 9 September 2026 (MSCA call deadline)
- Research Experience: Have maximum 8 years of full-time research experience from the date of PhD award (as of 9 September 2026). Periods of leave (parental, medical) may be excluded upon documentation.
- Mobility:
- Must be eligible under the MSCA European Postdoctoral Fellowship track
- Researchers of any nationality are eligible
- Researchers from non-EU/non-Associated Countries (e.g., Turkey) are welcome
- No restrictions on previous residence in EU (for this track)
- Career Stage: Must be at an early postdoctoral stage and motivated to further develop research independence and innovation potential
- Institutional Eligibility: Host institution (Yildiz Technical University) is registered as an MSCA-eligible beneficiary with the European Commission
- Language: Fluent English (written and spoken) for research communication
What We Offer
The successful candidate will receive:
- Institutional Support:
- Experienced supervision and mentoring from hosting researcher
- Support in developing a competitive MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowship proposal
- Guidance on project design, research planning, and proposal writing
- Research Infrastructure Access:
- State-of-the-art experimental wave tank facilities and instrumentation
- High-performance computing resources for large-scale CFD simulations
- Modern laboratory equipment and testing facilities
- Professional Development:
- Access to leading international journals and conference networks
- Support for collaborative research visits and secondments
- Networking with international marine energy community
- Interdisciplinary Environment:
- Multidisciplinary research group with diverse expertise
- Opportunities for inter-sectoral collaboration (with industry partners)
- Exposure to emerging technologies and innovation
- Work-Life Balance Support:
- Flexible working arrangements
- Support with visa, work permits, and administrative procedures
- Access to institutional facilities (library, sports, cultural events)
- Inclusive and welcoming research environment
How to Apply
Application Submission:
Interested researchers should submit the following materials:
- Curriculum Vitae (CV) – including:
- Full education and employment history
- Complete list of peer-reviewed publications
- List of presentations at international conferences
- Research awards and recognitions
- Research Statement (max. 2 pages) – describing:
- Your research interests and experience relevant to hybrid wave energy conversion
- Motivation for joining this specific project
- How your background aligns with the research objectives
- Your career goals and vision for postdoctoral research
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