The Dutch Research Council (NWO) funded project 5G+-Weather aims to find new ways to use the ever-increasing number of millimeter-wave connections to do high-resolution weather monitoring. There are two 4-year fully-funded PhD positions within this project, one at TU Delft and another at TU/e. The 5G+-Weather project consortium consists of leading R&D laboratories from universities, companies, and institutes located in The Netherlands.

High-resolution information on the space-time variability of rainfall is indispensable for human endeavors such as weather prediction, water management, agriculture and traffic control. However, in many areas around the world this is not available. The urgent need for rainfall information is only expected to increase during the coming decades in view of global change, with its projected growth of the world’s population and increased occurrence and intensity of hydro-meteorological extremes. The 5th generation (5G) telecommunication system being rolled out globally could provide exactly this, making use of electromagnetics concepts and effects that one usually aims to minimize in communication systems.

As the successful applicant for the PhD position at TU Delft you will focus on testing the potential for “opportunistic” weather monitoring under real-life (i.e. outdoor) conditions. One or more 5G mm-wave radio links will be established between buildings on one of the university campuses. These will be complemented by a weather station and dedicated rainfall sensors, notably tipping bucket rain gauges, optical disdrometers and 24 GHz micro rain radars. This will allow a characterization of the fine-scale structure of the rainy medium through which the 5G mm-wave radio signals will be propagating.

Combined with radio wave scattering and absorption calculations this will support the set-up of a forward numerical simulation model to study the effects of rainfall parameters on the physical quantities of mm-wave propagation under ideal conditions. Subsequently, measured 5G Radio Access Network (RAN) parameters will be correlated with relevant rainfall parameters to study the same effects, but now under realistic conditions. Simulated and empirical relations between rainfall parameters and 5G RAN parameters will be compared to establish the potential of 5G mm-wave radio links as “opportunistic” weather sensors.

Need to have:

• A completed MSc in hydrology, atmospheric sciences, remote sensing, (environmental) physics, civil engineering, electrical engineering or related field
• Affinity with the application of remote sensing and numerical models in the field of weather and water.

Nice to have:

• Strong quantitative and communication skills (written and oral).
• Motivation to work with (BSc and MSc) students.

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, TU Delft has the Coming to Delft Service. This service provides information for new international employees to help you prepare the relocation and to settle in the Netherlands. The Coming to Delft Service offers a Dual Career Programme for partners and they organise events to expand your (social) network.

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 values and we actively engage to 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.

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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 availability, urbanisation and clean water. Our research projects are conducted in close cooperation with a wide range of research institutions. CEG is convinced of the importance of open science 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.

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