About the Project
Project overview
How will the next generation of large floating tidal turbines behave when the platform itself deforms, waves and currents interact, and turbine loading changes with platform motion? This PhD will investigate these coupled effects to develop improved approaches for the design and assessment of reliable and efficient floating tidal energy systems.
Floating platforms have the potential to enable tidal turbines to be deployed in deeper and more challenging locations, while offering advantages in installation, access and maintenance. However, as floating platforms and turbines increase in size, structural flexibility and its interaction with waves, tidal currents and turbine loading become increasingly important.
The project will investigate the coupled interaction between platform flexibility, hydrodynamic loading and tidal turbine forces. Particular attention will be given to hydroelastic deformation of large floating platforms and how this affects structural response, platform motions and turbine performance. Conversely, platform motion and deformation can alter the loading experienced by the turbine, creating a coupled fluid–structure–turbine problem.
The research will also examine combined wave–current conditions and site-specific environmental characteristics, helping to establish when hydroelastic and coupled effects need to be considered in the engineering design of floating tidal turbine systems.
Research approach
The project will combine marine hydrodynamics, structural dynamics and numerical modelling. Depending on the development of the research, the work may include:
- hydrodynamic and hydroelastic modelling of floating platforms;
- structural and finite-element modelling;
- coupled fluid-structure-turbine simulations;
- time-domain analysis of platform motions and structural loads;
- investigation of wave-current interactions and site conditions; and
- development and validation of computationally efficient engineering models.
The research will aim to develop improved modelling approaches and provide recommendations for the design and assessment of large floating tidal turbine platforms.
Candidate profile
Applicants should normally hold, or expect to obtain, a First-Class or 2:1 Honours degree (or equivalent) in Naval Architecture, Ocean/Offshore Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Civil/Structural Engineering, Marine Engineering, Physics, or a related discipline.
Candidates with an interest in marine hydrodynamics, floating structures, hydroelasticity, fluid–structure interaction, offshore renewable energy or computational engineering are particularly encouraged to apply. Experience with MATLAB, Python or other numerical/computational tools would be desirable, together with strong analytical, problem-solving and communication skills.
What we offer
The PhD will be based within NAOME at the University of Strathclyde, an internationally recognised research environment spanning marine hydrodynamics, marine structures, ocean engineering and offshore renewable energy.
The successful candidate will develop expertise in hydrodynamics, hydroelasticity, structural dynamics, numerical modelling and floating renewable energy systems, with access to the wider research environment and facilities of the University.
Regular meetings with the supervisory team are expected, with flexible and hybrid working possible depending on research requirements and progress.
For further details and to be considered for an interview, please email your CV directly to: abel.arredondo-galeana@strath.ac.uk
Please use the subject line: “PhD Application: [Your Name]”
Deadline: 31 October 2026. Interviews: 2-6 November 2026. Start: 30 November 2026
Funding Notes
The studentship is fully funded for Home (UK) students for 3 years, covering Home tuition fees and providing a tax-free stipend of approximately £21,805 in Year 1, increasing annually to approximately £22,985 in Year 3. Exceptional international candidates may also be considered, provided they can secure funding to cover the difference between the Home and International tuition fees, currently approximately £89,146 over the 3-year PhD. This fee difference must be covered through external funding, scholarships, sponsorship or other sources and is not included in the studentship.
References
- Arredondo-Galeana, A., Chen, Y., Dai, S., Zhang, X., & Brennan, F. (2025). Hinged connected platforms for floating tidal turbines. Proceedings of the European Wave and Tidal Energy Conference, 16. https://doi.org/10.36688/ewtec-2025-1034
- Arredondo-Galeana, A., Chen, Y., Dai, S., Zhang, X., & Brennan, F. (2026). Experimental motion and load comparison of rigidly and hinged connected very large floating platforms. Journal of Ocean Engineering and Science, 11(1), 222-237. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.joes.2025.11.008
- Wu, H., Liao, B., & Yuan, Z. (2026). Hydroelastic analysis of a VLFS under wave-current interactions. Ships and Offshore Structures, 1–17. https://doi.org/10.1080/17445302.2026.2713181