Intern* / Student* with Master Thesis (optional) Investigation of Journal Bearings in Wind Turbines

Who we are ...
Our primary focuses at Fraunhofer IWES are on wind energy and hydrogen technologies. Our institute is home to more than 300 scientists and employees as well as over 100 students from over 30 countries pursuing careers in applied research and development at nine sites. We secure investments in technological developments through validation, shorten innovation cycles, accelerate certification procedures, and increase planning accuracy by means of innovative measurement methods.

This team needs your support ...
You will be part of the department »System Validation Mechanical Drive Train« at our site in Bremerhaven. At present, our team consists of eleven research associates and several students. We conduct experimental and theoretical investigations of the wind turbine nacelle at both the component level and the system level. The validation of the nacelle components can be carried out on a test rig or through simulations. Become an active member of the team; we are keen to hear your ideas! As an international oriented IWES-team, we highly appreciate an open exchange, whether this be in German or English. Respectful cooperation is also very important to us. You are wondering what you can bring to the team?

What you will do

These duties await you ...
You develop powerful codes in MATLAB to solve hydrodynamic and energy equations in steady-state conditions. This allows you to calculate essential static parameters such as pressure distribution and load carrying capacity of hydrodynamic bearings, which are key factors for efficient operation. To ensure the precision and reliability of your program, you validate the results by comparing them with well established scientific literature. You also use the program to study the impact of different surface topologies in a microscale. By analyzing how these affect critical parameters like eccentricity and load carrying capacity, especially under the challenging operating conditions faced by wind turbine main bearings, you gain valuable insights to improve design and performance. You can cover these tasks during a master's thesis with us, where our team will also support you.

What you bring to the table

What is your background?
You are studying Mechanical Engineering, Computational Mechanics, Fluid Mechanics or a similar subject in a master’s program? Ideally, you have a background in computational fluid mechanics, which will be an advantage in your work. You have experience in developing codes in MATLAB? You have solid knowledge of rotating machine elements in general and bearings in particular? Great! If you can speak fluent English or German, then you will fit in perfectly with us!

What you can expect

What we can offer you ...
We offer various opportunities to join us as a student. Whether it is an internship, where you gain a comprehensive insight into the areas of work, or the role of a student assistant, which is easy to combine with your studies. Are you looking for an exciting topic for your thesis and do you want to delve deeply into a topic scientifically? Together, we will find the right path for you! We know that studying can also be very demanding and requires a certain level of flexibility. That is no problem here, as – in agreement with your colleagues – you can decide flexibly what days and hours to work. Temporarily, you can even work remotely, depending on the job.

Eager to learn more?
If you would like to find out more information about the IWES, our research aspects, and your future colleagues, please visit our career website: 

We value and promote the diversity of our employees' skills and therefore welcome all applications - regardless of age, gender, nationality, ethnic and social origin, religion, ideology, disability, sexual orientation and identity. Severely disabled persons are given preference in the event of equal suitability.

The internship is limited to 3 months, individual agreements are possible. There is an option of extension as a student assistant with the possibility of completing a master's thesis. During an internship, the working time consists of 39 hours per week. In case of a student assistantship, the working time consists of up to 80 hours per month. In the case of an internship, remuneration is based on the federal government guidelines for intern salaries. In the case of a student assistantship, remuneration is based on the general works agreement for employing assistant staff.

With its focus on developing key technologies that are vital for the future and enabling the commercial utilization of this work by business and industry, Fraunhofer plays a central role in the innovation process. As a pioneer and catalyst for groundbreaking developments and scientific excellence, Fraunhofer helps shape society now and in the future.

Interested? Apply online now. We look forward to getting to know you!

If you have any further questions, please contact:
People & Development
E-mail: personal@iwes.fraunhofer.de
Phone: +49 471 14 290-230

Only online applications via the portal can be considered.
Please note that we observe the provisions of the valid General Data Protection Regulation when processing applications.

Fraunhofer Institute for Wind Energy Systems

Requisition Number: 77604                Application Deadline: