ENPhD Position Resistances Against Wave Impacts of Several Vegetation Types to Improve Flood Protection of and Biodiversity in Low-Lying Capes
Job description
The Falsterbro peninsula in Sweden is characterised by unique combination of hydrodinamic conditions that presents negative correlation between wave heights and water levels. On the peninsula a prototype dike with indigenous plants cover has been built and its strength against wave impacts needs to be assessed.
We are looking for a PhD candidate to work on the LIFECAPEable project (EU LIFE project) which aims at developing a flood protection system for the Falsterbo peninsula. At TU Delft, we seek to identify the critical hydrodynamic conditions, i.e. waves and water levels, that might lead to the failure of vegetated dike cover, predict its resistance in time and identify the best vegetation species to be used along the newly constructed 5835 m dike. Multiple European researchers will be involved in the project and link new insights to the societal challenges regarding flood safety, ecology and biodiversity. The topic of this PhD project focuses on the resistance of different vegetation types under the action of multivariate extreme hydrodynamic conditions.
The objective of the PhD at TU Delft is to identify the multivariate hydrodinamic extreme events acting on the dike to assess the strength of the different vegetation cover typologies both through laboratory experiments and field impact tests in Sweden. More specifically, the following tasks are envisioned:
- To provide a probabilistic characterization of the climatic variables, i.e., extreme wave heights and water level, accounting for their dependence to identify sea level states acting along the Falsterbo peninsula potentially leading to the dike failure.
- To perform laboratory experiments on the dike and shallow vegetated foreshore model scale to establish the wave impact locations and intensity according to the identified extreme conditions.
- To perform field tests via the impact simulator on the prototype dike covered with different vegetation types.
As PhD candidate, you will be part of a larger team of researchers from the LIFECAPEable project and be encouraged to collaborate on common topics, mutually exchange new insights, and where possible incorporate them into your research. A research visiting period at Lund University is expected before and during the field tests. At TU Delft, you will be part of the Coastal Engineering section where we combine research on hydrodynamics, extreme events and human interventions to the coast. You will primarily work with Alessandro Antonini, Elisa Ragno, Bas Hofland and Marcel van Gent.
Requirements
Required conditions are:
- A Master’s degree in a relevant field such as: Civil Engineering and Environmental Engineering.
- Affinity with and skills in statistical analysis. Familiarity with Python and/or Matlab would be convenient, in view of code data analysis.
- Affinity with and skills in laboratory/field experiments.
- A professional attitude towards work and eagerness to work in a flexible environment in which we work toward goals and not toward hours.
- Good English oral and writing skills: English at C1 level is required for non-native speakers.
In addition:
- You have a demostrated affinity and strong interest in Coastal engineering and/or waves structure interaction.
- You are good team player and demostrate inclusive values towards building a diverse community.
- You are firmly committed to complete the tasks assigned.
Doing a PhD at TU Delft requires English proficiency at a certain level to ensure that the candidate is able to communicate and interact well, participate in English-taught Doctoral Education courses, and write scientific articles and a final thesis.
Doing a PhD at TU Delft requires English proficiency at a certain level to ensure that the candidate is able to communicate and interact well, participate in English-taught Doctoral Education courses, and write scientific articles and a final thesis. For more details please check the Graduate Schools Admission Requirements.
Conditions of employment
Doctoral candidates will be offered a 4-year period of employment in principle, but in the form of 2 employment contracts. An initial 1,5 year contract with an official go/no go progress assessment within 15 months. Followed by an additional contract for the remaining 2,5 years assuming everything goes well and performance requirements are met.
Salary and benefits are in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities, increasing from € 2770 per month in the first year to € 3539 in the fourth year. As a PhD candidate you will be enrolled in the TU Delft Graduate School. The TU Delft Graduate School provides an inspiring research environment with an excellent team of supervisors, academic staff and a mentor. The Doctoral Education Programme is aimed at developing your transferable, discipline-related and research skills.
The TU Delft offers a customisable compensation package, discounts on health insurance, and a monthly work costs contribution. Flexible work schedules can be arranged.
For international applicants, TU Delft has the Coming to Delft Service. This service provides information for new international employees to help you prepare the relocation and to settle in the Netherlands. The Coming to Delft Service offers a Dual Career Programme for partners and they organise events to expand your (social) network.
TU Delft (Delft University of Technology)
Delft University of Technology is built on strong foundations. As creators of the world-famous Dutch waterworks and pioneers in biotech, TU Delft is a top international university combining science, engineering and design. It delivers world class results in education, research and innovation to address challenges in the areas of energy, climate, mobility, health and digital society. For generations, our engineers have proven to be entrepreneurial problem-solvers, both in business and in a social context.
At TU Delft we embrace diversity as one of our core values and we actively engage to be a university where you feel at home and can flourish. We value different perspectives and qualities. We believe this makes our work more innovative, the TU Delft community more vibrant and the world more just. Together, we imagine, invent and create solutions using technology to have a positive impact on a global scale. That is why we invite you to apply. Your application will receive fair consideration.
Challenge. Change. Impact!
Faculty Civil Engineering & Geosciences
The Faculty of Civil Engineering & Geosciences (CEG) is committed to outstanding international research and education in the field of civil engineering, applied earth sciences, traffic and transport, water technology, and delta technology. Our research feeds into our educational programmes and covers societal challenges such as climate change, energy transition, resource availability, urbanisation and clean water. Our research projects are conducted in close cooperation with a wide range of research institutions. CEG is convinced of the importance of open science and supports its scientists in integrating open science in their research practice. The Faculty of CEG comprises 28 research groups in the following seven departments: Materials Mechanics Management & Design, Engineering Structures, Geoscience and Engineering, Geoscience and Remote Sensing, Transport & Planning, Hydraulic Engineering and Water Management.
Click here to go to the website of the Faculty of Civil Engineering & Geosciences.
Additional information
For more information about this vacancy (eg further project details or about doing a Postdoc at TU Delft), please contact Dr. ir. Alessandro Antonini, a.antonini@tudelft.nl; Dr. ir. Elisa Ragno e.ragno@tudelft.nl, Dr. ir. Bas Hofland, b.hofland@tudelft.nl.
Application procedure
Are you interested in this vacancy? Please apply no later than 12 November 2023 via the application button and upload:
- Your motivation letter (1 page): Convince us why you are suited for this position: what attracts you?; how do your knowledge and skills match with the position/project (and where not)? What is your ambition, and how does this position fit in?;
- Curriculum vitae;
- Link to your Master thesis and if applicable to relevant publication(s) or preprint(s);
- Contact details of two references;
- Optional life-impact statement (1 page max) discussing any major life circumstance(s) that have impacted your career trajectory or performance (eg, illness, caretaking responsibilities.
Please note:
- You can apply online. We will not process applications sent by email and/or post.
- A pre-Employment screening can be part of the selection procedure.
- Please do not contact us for unsolicited services
