Compared to rivers without tidal forcing, the top view of tidal channels is relatively stable on a time scale of decades. This relates to the presence of intertidal areas, which are now recognized as a nature-based measure of bank protection, and to the interplay of river discharge and the tidal motion. Towards the design of stable channels with natural embankment, this PhD project seeks to better understand the prerequisites for tidal river stability by studying the spatiotemporal variation in tidal channel migration across the Ganges-Brahmaputra-Meghna Delta. Idealized models for river channel migration will be extended to include the effect of tides, and used to interpret remote sensing images and data from the field.

The PhD position is part of the NWO-VICI project "Deltas out of shape: regime changes of sediment dynamics in tide-influenced deltas". Together with partner institutions including the Institute of Water Modelling in Dhaka and Deltares, tools will be developed to quantify the role of intertidal areas in creating channel stability and resilience against extreme events.

• Master degree or an equivalent degree in Earth Sciences, Civil Engineering, Physics or Applied Mathematics;
• strong interest and preferably experience in morphodynamic model development;
• strong interest and preferably experience in remote sensing and field data collection;
• good organizational, writing and presentation skills and you can work both independently and in a team;
• commitments to finalize a PhD, combined with a training and supervision trajectory;
• ability to participate in courses within the master's programme Earth and Environment, and to supervise MSc-thesis students within the project;
• excellent command of the English language, both orally and in writing.

WUR offers excellent terms of employment. A few highlights from our Collective Labour Agreement include:

• study leave, and paid parental leave;
• working hours that can be discussed and arranged so that they allow for the best possible work-life balance;
• the option to accrue additional holiday hours by working more, up to 40 hours per week;
• there is a strong focus on vitality and you can make use of the sports facilities available on campus for a small fee;
• a fixed December bonus of 8.3%;
• excellent pension scheme.

In addition to these first-rate employee benefits, you will receive a fully funded PhD position and you will be offered a course program tailored to your needs and the research team. The gross salary for the first year is € 2.395,- per month rising to € 3.061,- in the fourth year in according to the Collective Labour Agreements for Dutch Universities (CAO-NU) (scale P). This is based on a full-time working week of 38 hours. We offer a temporary contract for 18 months which will be extended for the duration of the project if you perform well.

You are going to work at the greenest and most innovative campus in Holland, and at a university that has been chosen as the "Best University" in the Netherlands for the 16th consecutive time.

Coming from abroad
WUR is the university and research centre for life sciences. The themes we deal with are relevant to everyone around the world and Wageningen, therefore, has a large international community and a lot to offer to international employees. Applicants from abroad moving to the Netherlands may qualify for a special tax relief, known as the 30% ruling. Our team of advisors on Dutch immigration procedures will help you with the visa application procedures for yourself and, if applicable, for your family.

Feeling welcome also has everything to do with being well informed. Wageningen University & Research's International Community page contains practical information about what we can do to support international employees and students coming to Wageningen. Furthermore, we can assist you with any additional advice and information about helping your partner to find a job, housing, schooling, and other issues.

Equal opportunities
WUR employs a large number of people with very different backgrounds and qualities, who encourage and motivate each other. We want every talent to feel at home in our organisation and be offered the same career opportunities. We therefore especially welcome applications from people who are underrepresented at WUR. A good example of how WUR deals with inclusiveness can be read on the page working at WUR with a functional impairment.

Wageningen University & Research

Our mission is "To explore the potential of nature to improve the quality of life". Under the banner WUR, Wageningen University and the specialised research institutes of the Wageningen Research Foundation have joined forces in contributing to finding solutions to important questions in the domain of healthy food and living environment.

With its roughly 30 branches, 6.800 employees and 12.900 students, Wageningen University & Research is one of the leading organisations in its domain. A coordinated approach to problems and the cooperation between various subject areas are at the heart of Wageningen's outstanding approach. WUR has been named Best Employer in the Education category for 2019-2020.

Read the 5 reasons why your future collaegues enjoy working at WUR and watch this video to get an idea of our green campus!

The Hydrology and Quantitative Water Management group is part of the Department of Environmental Sciences of Wageningen University. The department's fundamental research and education concern our living environment: nature, landscape, land use, mitigation and adaptation to climate change, water management, and various competing claims on space. Wageningen University is part of WUR.