Access to sufficient and safe drinking water is critical to human life. However, global population growth, increased urbanization, and climate change pose serious threats to our water sources. New contaminants, both chemical and microbial, challenge our existing water infrastructure. Therefore, researchers and engineers develop new treatment technologies or other adaptation strategies to protect human health. Quantitatively assessing the health risks, as well as health gains, of engineered interventions is a key ingredient to determine the impact of solutions. This evaluation, however, is challenging making the (in)direct, long-term health benefits of, for example a new treatment technology, poorly understood. To strengthen this interaction between water and health, reinforcement is sought in the following themes':

• Assessing human health risks of exposure to emerging contaminants, either chemical or microbial, like PFAS, antibiotic resistant bacteria, via drinking water and non-potable, reclaimed water.
• Quantitative Risk Assessment (QMRA/QCRA) in water systems to evaluate impact of existing and new engineered interventions, such as water treatment or alternative water management approaches
• Developing novel (technological) approaches to prevent human exposure to emerging contaminants via drinking water and non-potable, reclaimed water, considering water treatment, storage and distribution
• Studying supply of drinking water and non-potable, reclaimed water within the larger urban water cycle, including potential health trade-offs when moving towards circular use of water (e.g., greywater reuse at household level)

The Assistant Professor in Water Technologies and Health will address the aforementioned, or related themes. Further, the successful candidate is given the opportunity to develop their own research line, complementing ongoing research at Delft University of Technology.

The key job responsibilities of a successful candidate for this Assistant Professorship include:

• Research: Delivering high quality, internationally leading research related to Water Technologies and Health. (Co-)supervising PhD and MSc students aimed at successful completion of their theses. Effectively disseminating research outcomes via internationally leading journals and conferences is an intrinsic part of the job.
• Education: Contributing to the organization and teaching of relevant courses in the BSc and MSc programs of Environmental Engineering and Civil Engineering. This includes the opportunity to introduce new content and teaching methods matching the candidate’s expertise and interests in the renewed MSc programs (offered from September 2022). Preparing, supervising and assessing BSc and MSc student projects.
• Valorization: Initiating projects and obtaining funding for new research and/or education projects. We encourage proactive engagement with both private and government sectors, i.e. industry, business and community partners for societal impact.
• Organization: Contributing to organizational / administrative activities and committees within the Department of Water Management and the Faculty of Civil Engineering and Geosciences.       

The succesful candidate:

• Holds a doctorate degree (PhD) in engineering or science in a relevant field, like  Water Management, Civil Engineering, Hydraulic Engineering, Environmental Fluid Dynamics or Applied Physics
• Has a track record that demonstrates their ability to independently perform and publish high quality research
• Demonstrates a strong outline for setting up their own research area and building their own research group, while at the same time establishing strong collaborations with colleagues within the department, faculty and university
• Possesses a good understanding of the higher education and academic environment, including diversity and inclusion values
• Has the capacity to communicate and cooperate effectively with peers, students and stakeholders

Fixed-term contract: depending on start date.

Our intention is to offer you a permanent position after a probation period  in which you will be evaluated based on performance indicators agreed upon at the start of the appointment. We expect that you have the potential to grow towards an Associate Professor and/or Full Professor role in the future.

Inspiring, excellent education is our central aim. We expect you to obtain a University Teaching Qualification (UTQ) within three years if you have less than five years of teaching experience. This is provided by the TU Delft UTQ programme.
TU Delft sets high standards for the English competency of the teaching staff. The TU Delft offers training to improve English competency. If you do not speak Dutch, we offer courses to learn the Dutch language within three years.

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. 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.

TU Delft has long been known for excellence in Water Resources and Water Treatment research which is reflected by a third position in Shanghai’s Global Ranking of Universities worldwide. Research in the Department of Water Management addresses very relevant worldwide issues such as water and sanitation for the globe's cities, mitigation of floods and droughts, and the timely delivery of water of sufficient quality for society's and nature's needs. Our staff members carry out research in both Europe and the Global South, fostering long standing links with Africa and Asia. 

The Sanitary Engineering research group conducts research into the treatment and transport of drinking water, wastewater and industrial water: in other words the urban water cycle. The water quality and the extraction of raw materials, water, and energy from the water cycle is a particular area of focus.

Water Management (tudelft.nl)