Design and Structural Dynamics of Offshore Aquaculture Systems, PhD (Funded) Ref: 5899

Supervisors

Dr Faryal Khalid - University of Exeter - Faculty of Environment, Science and Economy

Prof. Philipp Thies - University of Exeter - Faculty of Environment, Science and Economy

The University of Exeter’s Department of Engineering is inviting applications for a PhD studentship in Offshore Aquaculture funded by the Faculty of Environment, Science and Economy to commence on 21 September 2026 or as soon as possible thereafter.  For eligible students, the studentship will cover Home tuition fees plus an annual tax-free stipend of at least £21,805 for 3.5 years full-time, or pro rata for part-time study.  The student would be based in the Renewable Energy Group in the Faculty of Environment, Science and Economy at the Penryn Campus in Cornwall.

Offshore aquaculture is rapidly expanding as demand grows for sustainable, low-impact food production and competition for nearshore sites increases. By moving fish farming into deeper offshore sites, the industry can scale up while improving fish health. While, moving fish farms further offshore unlocks the potential for scalability and improvement in fish health, however, it exposes the structures to some of the most dynamic environmental conditions.

Understanding how these offshore aquaculture systems respond to waves, currents, and extreme storms is one of the key engineering challenges of the next decade. This PhD project places you at the forefront of this challenge, developing the tools and insight needed to design the next generation of offshore aquaculture infrastructure.

Research Overview

The aim of this project is to characterise the impact of coupled environmental loads on the dynamic structural response of offshore aquaculture farms and potential impacts on fish behaviour.

Depending on your research interests and academic background, this project can be tailored to combine knowledge from structural mechanics, fluid dynamics, offshore engineering and animal behaviour.

Impact and Relevance

Improving the understanding of structural loads in offshore aquaculture has direct implications for the expansion of offshore aquaculture as it can:

• Inform robust and failure-resistant farm designs

• Improve welfare of farmed fish and reduce environmental damage

• Lower capital and maintenance costs through optimised structures

Candidate Profile

Applicants should have a strong foundation in engineering, physical sciences, or a closely related discipline.

We are particularly interested in candidates with:

• A degree in civil, mechanical, ocean, or offshore engineering, or a related discipline

• Interest in structural dynamics, hydrodynamics, or marine systems

• Experience with programming or numerical tools (MATLAB, Python)

• A willingness to work across disciplinary boundaries

• Motivation to tackle open-ended, real-world engineering problems

Experience with CFD, finite element methods, offshore structures and aquaculture would be beneficial but is not essential.

What You will Gain

This PhD offers you the opportunity to work on a rapidly emerging offshore industry where many key engineering questions remain open. You will:

• Develop expertise in offshore structural dynamics

• Work with real-world environmental data and simulation tools

• Contribute to the design of next-generation sustainable ocean infrastructure

• Build skills applicable across marine engineering, and environmental systems

The studentship will be awarded on the basis of academic merit. Students who pay international tuition fees are eligible to apply. However, please note the following:

• The award covers only part of the international tuition fee, approximately £27,000.
• It does not include a stipend for living expenses.
• International applicants will need to cover additional costs, including:
• Student visa fees
• Immigration Health Surcharge
• Relocation expenses associated with moving to the UK to undertake a PhD.

Applicants should ensure they have sufficient funds to meet these costs before applying.

The conditions for eligibility of home fees status are complex and you will need to seek advice if you have moved to or from the UK (or Republic of Ireland) within the past 3 years or have applied for settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme.

Entry requirements

Applicants for this studentship must have obtained, or be about to obtain, a First or Upper Second Class UK Honours degree, or the equivalent qualifications gained outside the UK, in an appropriate area of engineering, physical sciences, or a closely related discipline.

If English is not your first language you will need to meet the English language requirements and provide proof of proficiency. Click here for more information.

How to apply

Apply now

To apply, please click the ‘Apply Now’ button above. In the application process you will be asked to upload several documents

• CV
• Letter of application (outlining your academic interests, prior research experience and reasons for wishing to undertake the project).
• Research proposal (desirable)
• Transcript(s) giving full details of subjects studied and grades/marks obtained (this should be an interim transcript if you are still studying)
• Two references from referees familiar with your academic work. If your referees prefer, they can email the reference direct to PGRApplicants@exeter.ac.uk quoting the studentship reference number.
• If you are not a national of a majority English-speaking country you will need to submit evidence of your proficiency in English. 

The closing date for applications is midnight on 31^st August 2026.  Interviews will be held virtually in the week commencing 7 September 2026.

All application documents must be submitted in English. Certified translated copies of academic qualifications must also be provided.

Please quote reference 5899 on your application and in any correspondence about this studentship.

Summary