Current offshore monopile installation, using hydraulic hammers, creates significant underwater noise which in turn requires the use of noise mitigation measures. Furthermore, the aggressive blow of a hydraulic hammer potentially results in fatigue damage and in cases prevents secondary steel to be welded to the pile. It has been demonstrated that the BLUE Piling Technology, using longer impact pulses to the pile head significantly reduces the installation noise and that it can drive assembled monopiles. This would allow substantial operational savings. However, scientific challenges exist in the fundamental understanding and conceptualisation of the dynamic soil behaviour during pile installation and its translation into engineering models for pile driveability predictions. Therefore, a better understating of the soil resistance during impact pile driving and development of reliable driveability models are objectives of this project. The post-doctoral researcher will advance the knowledge of soil resistance during the installation of large offshore monopiles. The fundamental soil behaviour will be investigated using novel experimental techniques for piles subjected to various impact pulses and energy flux regimes. The researcher will investigate the dynamic behaviour of small-scale models, using geotechnical physical modelling facilities at TU Delft. The work will include design and implementation of advanced instrumentation for experimental studies. Test planning and data interpretation will be carried out in close collaboration with a team of researchers at TU Delft and industry experts.

This position is supported by BLUE Piling Project 2, a research project funded by the Netherlands Enterprise Agency (Rijksdienst voor Ondernemend Nederland - RVO) and industry partners in the framework of the Stimulating Sustainable Energy Transition (https://www.rvo.nl/subsidie-en-financieringswijzer/sde). In this project, Royal IHC IQIP and TU Delft are the leading partner institutions of a team which include well-known developers and specialist engineering companies.

Department
The Department of Geoscience and Engineering encompasses 5 sections: Applied Geology, Applied Geophysics and Petrophysics, Geo-Engineering, Resource Engineering, and Petroleum Engineering. Within the department there is considerable scope and encouragement for inter-disciplinary research.

The Section of Geo-Engineering has 9 full-time and 5 part-time academic staff, and 25 PhD and post-doctoral researchers. Areas of expertise include soil mechanics, dykes and embankments, foundation engineering, underground space technology, engineering geology, and geo-environmental engineering.

Candidates will meet as many of the following requirements as possible:

• PhD degree in Civil/Geotechnical Engineering or related areas;
• experimental and / or numerical experience in soil-structure interaction and/or pile installation analysis;
• excellent knowledge of soil mechanics and foundation engineering. Acquaintance with offshore foundations is appreciated (but not mandatory)
• experience in designing/implementing instrumentation, control, and data acquisition systems/interfaces for geotechnical physical modelling studies is appreciated;
• interest in contributing to the global success of the project, liaising with other team members responsible for different segments of the research;
• appreciation of team work, good social skills, and ability to function in international circles involving experts from academia and industry;
• high proficiency in spoken/written English, and proven experience in preparing technical publications and project reports;
• interest in contributing to educational activities, including occasional teaching, student tutoring and co-supervision of BSc/MSc graduation projects.

Fixed-term contract: 21 Months.

Salary and benefits are in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities. The TU Delft offers a customisable compensation package, a discount on health insurance and sport memberships, and a monthly work costs contribution. The contract duration of this post is 21 months. Flexible work schedules can be arranged.

For international applicants we offer the Coming to Delft Service and Partner Career Advice to assist you with your relocation. An International Children's Centre offers childcare and there is an international primary school.

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 and aim to be as inclusive as possible (see our Code of Conduct). Together, we imagine, invent and create solutions using technology to have a positive impact on a global scale.

Challenge. Change. Impact! 

Faculty Civil Engineering and 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 depletion, urbanisation and the availability of clean water, conducted  in close cooperation with a wide range of research institutions. CEG is convinced that Open Science helps to achieve our goals 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.