Ongoing long-term changes in ocean tides may have severe consequences for coastal environments and ecological systems. Our understanding of these changes has so far only been based on the analysis of clustered and sparsely distributed coastal tide gauge records and some model-based studies. This PhD project aims to boost our understanding by i) mapping the long-term global changes in ocean tides from multi-mission, coastal-waters-inclusive satellite radar altimeter data; and ii) quantifying the contributions of four driving processes to the observed changes. Moreover, we will assess the impact of long-term global changes in ocean tides on the intertidal Wadden Sea. To achieve these objectives, sophisticated data processing schemes and analysis techniques will be developed and exploited. Moreover, besides observations, hydrodynamic models will be used to assess the contribution of driving processes to the observed changes, as well as to estimate the changes in the Wadden Sea and their effect on the net exchange of sediment with the North Sea.

Your PhD project will be supervised by Cornelis Slobbe and Martin Verlaan. The Wadden Sea impact assessment study, conducted in cooperation with the Royal Netherlands Institute for Sea Research, is supervised by Theo Gerkema and Matias Duran-Matute. In addition to an exciting research project and a friendly and stimulating work environment, we can offer you generous funds for scientific travel.

We are looking for an enthusiastic candidate, motivated to work in a multidisciplinary environment. The candidate should have an MSc in physics, mathematics, engineering, or Earth sciences, with a solid background and interest in physical oceanography/geophysical fluid dynamics, signal processing, mathematical statistics, and data analysis, and good programming skills. Experience with remote sensing data processing (in particular altimetry data processing), and/or hydrodynamic modelling is appreciated. You should be curious, with cross-disciplinary interests, and critical thinkers. 

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.

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 € 2541 per month in the first year to € 3247 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 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 Adviceto assist you with your relocation.

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 valuesand we actively engageto 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 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 hereto go to the website of the Faculty of Civil Engineering & Geosciences.