Panuwat Booncharoensombut joined the NDC between June and December 2025 on a Research Internship. He was supervised by NDC Research Fellow Dr Alicia Terrero-Gonzalez (pictured left).

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Panuwat Booncharoensombut recently completed a MSc in Offshore Engineering at the University of Aberdeen. He then gained hands-on experience through an internship at the NDC focused on Hydrodynamic Analysis of a Lightweight Floating Offshore Wind Turbine with a Single Mooring System. He has since secured a job as a Project Engineer with an engineering and technology company based in Aberdeen. Here he shares his experience of the internship and how it helped him bridge the gap between education and employment.

1. Tell us about yourself:

I’m Panuwat, a recent MSc Offshore Engineering graduate from the University of Aberdeen, with a strong interest in the Energy sector, particularly sustainable solutions.

2. How did you secure the internship at the NDC?

The opportunity arose through my MSc dissertation. While I was selecting my topic, I saw a project from the NDC that really interested me. I applied and was selected for it, and because I made good progress on the research, I was given the chance to continue the work as an intern.

3. Tell us about the project you are working on and who you are working with?

I was involved in developing and analysing a single mooring system for floating offshore wind turbines (FOWTs). This project was directly related to my MSc focus. I reported to my supervisor, Alicia, and I also collaborated with the wider NDC team to gain technical insights.

4. What were the benefits to you in doing an internship at the NDC?

The main benefit for me was bridging the gap between academic theory and real-world application. At the NDC, I had access to advanced simulators to test the mooring system against different environmental loads. It was a great opportunity to move beyond theoretical models and see how the design actually performs under simulated conditions.

5. Did you face any challenges during the internship?

I found it challenging at first to integrate all the large-scale environmental data required for the simulations. It was a step up from my academic work. However, by consulting with the experts on the team and using the centre’s simulation tools, I learned how to manage that complexity successfully.

6. Do you have any advice for students interested in doing an internship?

Try to link your academic projects to where you want to work; my dissertation topic is what opened this door for me. Once you are there, take initiative. Talk to the people and don’t be afraid to ask detailed questions. It is the best way to learn in a technical environment.

7. What are your plans for the future?

Following the completion of my MSc and my internship at the NDC, I secured a job as a Project Engineer with AISUS based at Bridge of Don, Aberdeen, which I started in January 2026. I intend to specialise in the technical design and analysis of sustainable infrastructure within the energy sector.

8. Anything else you would like to add:

I would like to express my sincere gratitude for the opportunity at the NDC. Working on a project with such practical application was a significant learning experience. It has reinforced my commitment to pursuing a career in the offshore renewable energy sector.

Notes for Editors