The Wadden Sea is the largest back-barrier tidal system in the world and a UNESCO world heritage site because of its ecological significance. A key governing component of the overall system is the exchange of water, salt, nutrients, sediment, larvae, etc. between basins and with the North Sea. Recently, we have shown that the nature of this exchange is very different than previously thought due to the dominant role of the wind, which imposes an enormous variability, with storms having a disproportionately high impact. This view of the Wadden Sea as an event-driven system means that understanding and quantifying the exchanges and transports requires the inclusion of a wide range of forcing conditions over a long time span.

Project description

In this project, we investigate the exchange between the tidal basins and the North Sea for a 35-year period in the Dutch Wadden Sea. The PhD candidate will quantify the exchange, the flushing characteristics of the basins, and the connectivity in the system from the Lagrangian perspective. This study will require the application of different statistical tools and tools from dynamical systems theory. The candidate will use and analyse results of new long-term numerical simulations of the hydrodynamics to link the variability in the forcing to the exchange and transport in the region to account for the event-driven character of the system. This will provide a comprehensive view of the variability in the state of the system and in the exchanges within the Wadden Sea and with the North Sea at a wide range of time scales.

Location

This subproject will be carried out within the Fluids and Flows group at the Department of Applied Physics (https://www.tue.nl/en/research/research-groups/fluids-and-flows/) of Eindhoven University of Technology. The project is carried out in collaboration with the department of Estuarine and Delta Systems (EDS), NIOZ-Yerseke, and the Leibniz Institute for Baltic Sea Research (IOW), Warnemünde, Germany. You will be supervised by dr. M. Duran-Matute and prof. H.J.H. Clercx.

We are looking for an enthusiastic PhD-student with a strong background in physical oceanography, fluid dynamics, or coastal engineering, and, moreover, a strong affinity with mathematical and statistical tools for analysis. You have an MSc in (applied) physics, physical oceanography, applied mathematics or civil/coastal engineering. You have experience with numerical simulations and have affinity with large-scale computing. As an ideal candidate you should be able to work in a team and be able to communicate with people in other disciplines (e.g. coastal ecology or coastal management). You also have good written and oral communication skills in English.

We offer:

• An exciting job in an active group: Fluids and Flows group with strong national and international collaborations
• A full-time appointment for four years (start date on or before September 1st 2020) at Eindhoven University of Technology http://www.tue.nl/en/
• Gross monthly salary from € 2325 (first year) to € 2972 (fourth year) in line with the Collective Agreement for Dutch Universities
• An attractive package of fringe benefits, including end-of-year allowance, a personal development program for PhD students (PROOF program), and excellent sport facilities

Information about the terms of employment and being a PhD candidate at TU/e can be found on the website https://www.tue.nl/en/working-at-tue/phdpdeng/