Job Description

Job Details
Section
Civil, Maritime & Environmental Engineering
Location:
Boldrewood Campus
Salary
36,636 to 44,746
Full Time Fixed Term (18 Months)
Closing Date:
Monday 20 October 2025
Interview Date
To be confirmed
Reference
3214525DA

We are seeking a Post-doctoral Research Fellow to work on the TAILWIND project, based at the University of Southampton, on a fixed-term contract of up to 18 months.

The Research Fellow will support the development of new anchoring technologies for floating offshore wind turbines. Your role will focus primarily on the development of simplified computational models, and you will contribute to geotechnical centrifuge modelling.


TAILWIND is a multi-disciplinary international research project, funded by the Horizon Europe programme, led by the Norwegian Geotechnical Institute (NGI), in collaboration with 2 other Universities and 8 industrial partners. The project aims to drive down the costs of floating units and mooring systems by advancing key station-keeping technologies.


We are seeking candidates with a background in civil engineering, preferably with experience in geotechnical physical, analytical and/or numerical modelling. You will be responsible for developing a simplified computational model, suited to integrated system modelling, and to contribute to centrifuge testing of novel anchors


You will be involved in the holistic design of floating wind systems as part of a large team with expertise spanning mooring lines, floating platforms and anchors, with both academic and industry perspectives. You will have many opportunities to expand your network, both in academia and industry, through project meetings, workshops and conferences. You will contribute to the activities of the Intelligent and Resilient Ocean Engineering chair.


We offer a generous renumeration package, an attractive research environment on our new Boldrewood campus, the latest facilities and access to a variety of staff development opportunities.


You are invited to contact Dr Benjamin Cerfontaine (b.cerfontaine@soton.ac.uk) for further information about this position in advance of submitting your application.


Applicants are required to have a PhDor equivalent professional qualifications and experience in a relevant discipline.

Equality, diversity and inclusion are central to the ethos in the School of Engineering. We give full consideration to applicants who wish to work flexibly including part-time and due consideration will be given to applicants who have taken a career break. The University has onsite childcare facilities and we foster a good work-life balance. We also offer a mentorship programme and the school runs a women-oriented network event on a bi-weekly basis.


The University of Southampton is in the top 1% of world universities and the top 10 of the UK's research-intensive universities. We are committed to sustainability and being a globally responsible university, with the principles of sustainability embedded into all aspects of our individual and collective work, in our business planning, policy-making, and professional activities.

Applications for Research Fellow positions will be considered from candidates who are working towards or nearing completion of a relevant PhD qualification. The title of Research Fellow will be applied upon successful completion of the PhD. Prior to the qualification being awarded the title of Senior Research Assistant will be given.*


As a university we aim to create an environment where everyone can thrive and are proactive in fostering a culture of inclusion, respect and equality of opportunity. We believe that we can only truly meet our objectives if we are reflective of society, so we are passionate about creating a working environment in which you are free to bring your whole self to work. With a generous holiday allowance as well as additional university closure days we are committed to supporting our staff and students and open to a flexible working approach.


Apply by 11.59 pm GMT on the closing date. For assistance contact Recruitment on +44(0)2380 592750 or recruitment@soton.ac.uk quoting the job number.