PhD StuPhD scholarship in Lightning risk assessment for safe wind turbine operationdent - DTU Wind

Are you fascinated by lightning and meteorology and want a research career with an impact on society? Then DTU Wind and Energy Systems offers a PhD position in assessing lightning risks for wind turbines through experiments and modelling. Lightning poses a significant threat to wind turbines because their tall, conductive structures make them natural targets in both onshore and offshore environments. On land, turbines are often installed in open, elevated areas that are frequently exposed to thunderstorms. Offshore turbines face additional challenges from maritime lightning, which can be more intense and influenced by extreme weather systems. A single lightning strike—onshore or at sea—can damage blades, generators, sensors, and control systems, leading to costly repairs and downtime.

Responsibilities and qualifications
This PhD project aims to develop a lightning and meteorology-informed framework to assess lightning risks to wind turbines and enhance their safety and reliability. The project will characterize upward and downward lightning strike rates across selected onshore and offshore regions in Europe and the U.S. East Coast, comparing maritime, coastal, and orographic regimes to identify environmental conditions affecting turbine exposure. The main research goals could include:

• Characterize observed wind turbine strike rates from upward and downward lightning discharges in onshore and offshore wind farms.
• Investigate the differences between maritime, coastal, and orographic lightning affecting tall structures like wind turbines, incorporating space and ground-based lightning data. 
• Perform measurements and analysis of downward and upward lightning and electric fields with interferometers and electric field mills, respectively, at the DTU Wind test center in Østerild.
• Define meteorological conditions that lead to lightning strikes impacting wind turbines and the way they can be integrated into the International Electrotechnical Committee (IEC) for lightning protection standards. 
• Use advanced meteorological models to develop an optimized climatology of lightning risk to wind turbines. 
• Verify and validate risk assessment scenarios with damage reports from the European Severe Weather Database (ESWD) | European Severe Storms Laboratory

We are looking for highly motivated and committed candidates who are eager to contribute to cutting-edge and interdisciplinary research. Successful applicants will ideally have:

• A relevant MSc degree in meteorology, atmospheric sciences or equivalent
• Strong programming skills in Python or other advanced programming languages (with willingness to work in Python)
• Experience with high-performance computing and analysis of large geo datasets
• Strong analytical thinking and problem-solving abilities
• Interest in wind and energy systems

An advantage

• Experience with lightning research
• Experience with statistics and machine learning 
• Excellent written and oral communication skills in English and a collaborative mindset to meaningfully engage with both academic and industrial partners

We value diversity and welcome applications from candidates of all backgrounds. Even if you don't check every single box, we warmly encourage you to apply if you're genuinely excited about the research area. We value enthusiasm and passion just as much as specific qualifications! 

You must have a two-year master's degree (120 ECTS points) or a similar degree with an academic level equivalent to a two-year master's degree.

Approval and Enrolment 
The scholarship for the PhD degree is subject to academic approval, and the candidate will be enrolled in one of the general degree programmes at DTU. For information about our enrolment requirements and the general planning of the PhD study programme, please see DTU's rules for the PhD education. 

Assessment
The assessment of the applicants will be made by Scientist Krystallia Dimitriadou, Senior Scientist Andrea Hahmann and Head of Section, Professor Jakob Mann.

We offer
DTU is a leading technical university globally recognized for the excellence of its research, education, innovation and scientific advice. We offer a rewarding and challenging job in an international environment. We strive for academic excellence in an environment characterized by collegial respect and academic freedom tempered by responsibility.

Salary and appointment terms 
The appointment will be based on the collective agreement with the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations. The allowance will be agreed upon with the relevant union. The period of employment is 3 years.

The PhD projects are expected to start in autumn 2026. The exact start date will be agreed upon based on your availability and preference. This is a full-time position.  

You can read more about career paths at DTU here.

Further information
Further information may be obtained from Scientist Krystallia Dimitriadou (krstd@dtu.dk) or Senior Scientist Andrea Hahmann (ahah@dtu.dk ).

You can read more about DTU Wind at https://wind.dtu.dk/

If you are applying from abroad, you may find useful information on working in Denmark and at DTU at DTU – Moving to Denmark. Furthermore, you have the option of joining our monthly free seminar “PhD relocation to Denmark and startup “Zoom” seminar” for all questions regarding the practical matters of moving to Denmark and working as a PhD at DTU. 

Application procedure 
Your complete online application must be submitted no later than 1 June 2026 (23:59 Danish time). 

Applications must be submitted as one PDF file containing all materials to be given consideration. To apply, please open the link "Apply now", fill out the online application form, and attach all your materials in English in one PDF file. The file must include:

• A letter motivating the application (cover letter)
• Curriculum vitae 
• Grade transcripts and BSc and MSc diploma (in English) including official description of grading scale
• A list of at least two references

You may apply prior to ob­tai­ning your master's degree but cannot begin before having received it. 

Applications received after the deadline will not be considered.

All interested candidates irrespective of age, gender, disability, race, religion or ethnic background are encouraged to apply. As DTU works with research in critical technology, which is subject to special rules for security and export control, open-source background checks may be conducted on qualified candidates for the position.

The Department of Wind and Energy Systems is one of the world’s largest centers for research and knowledge in wind energy and energy systems, employing over 400 staff members from 37 countries. Our research spans the full spectrum of energy systems—from investigating nanoscale structures to understanding macro-scale atmospheric flow; from designing the turbines of tomorrow to developing digital energy solutions of the future; and from advancing electric power systems to exploring more democratic processes for project planning.

With approximately 90 PhD students, our cross-disciplinary research is organized through strategic programs that foster collaboration with Danish and international universities, research institutions, organizations, and the wind industry. We are committed to driving innovation, providing research-based consulting, and educating the next generation of energy experts.

DTU – For the benefit of society since 1829
DTU is one of Europe's leading elite technical universities. Through research and education at an international top level, we create solutions to the major societal challenges of our time and help secure Europe's global leadership in sustainable technological development. Since Hans Christian Ørsted founded DTU almost 200 years ago, our mission has remained the same: We develop and create value through the natural and technical sciences for the benefit of society. DTU has 13,800 students, 1,600 PhD students, and 6,500 employees. We work in an international environment and have an inclusive, stimulating, and informal work culture. DTU has campuses in all parts of Denmark and in Greenland and collaborates with the best universities around the world.