2 x PhD positions (36 months each) within the DN Marie Curie project Met2Adapt, funded by European Union, are available at the University of Trento (Italy) under my supervision. Secondment periods are planned at the project's partner institutions.
Starting date and duration: November 2026, 36 months duration
Application deadline: March 26, Italian noon, 2026
Please read the below description and, if interested, apply online at the corresponding link.
Doctoral Candidate 5:
Enhanced Wave Bandgaps in Offshore Cylindrical Elements Embedding Linear and Nonlinear Topological Resonators [Online application]
The research aims at the conception and mechanical design of enhanced cylindrical elements for wave protection of floating tanks in offshore pumped-hydro systems and for vibration mitigation of towers coupled with offshore wind turbines. The objective is to control wave propagation and wave- and wind-induced vibrations through periodically distributed linear and nonlinear resonators, capable of widening bandgap frequency ranges.
The research activity will combine linear and nonlinear analyses, dynamic simulations, topological metamaterials, optimization strategies, and experimental validation on small-scale cylindrical prototypes, with particular focus on reducing high-cycle fatigue phenomena.
Doctoral Candidate 6:
Self-tuning variable length systems for the vibration reduction of wind blades [Online application]
The aim of this research is to develop and analyze self-tuning Variable Length Systems (VLS) for the reduction of wind turbine blade vibrations. The study focuses on the derivation of the dimensionless formulation of the differential-algebraic system of equations governing the nonlinear dynamics of lumped-mass VLS subjected to configurational forces. A perturbation-based approach will be employed to identify the self-tuning curve and to perform a parametric analysis with respect to variations in the stiffness of the additional elastic constraint. The research will also address the space time integration of the nonlinear differential-algebraic equations of motion, the investigation of limit cycle behavior, and the evaluation of the frequency range over which self-tuning occurs.
Finally, the optimal number and placement of VLS along the wind turbine blade will be investigated, and their effectiveness in reducing blade vibrations will be assessed with particular attention to the improvement of high- cycle fatigue performance.