Tidal parks as NBS: Sediment use for restoration of intertidal areas in river scapes. Construction of tidal parks is becoming a popular measure in urbanized deltas of the world due to lack of space on land for nature restoration and previous construction of hard and abrupt land water interfaces (ref). Creating intertidal transitions between land and water along borders of rivers adds natural value by providing habitat for flora and fauna, can serve as recreation space and improves water quality. On the other side, construction of tidal parks limits the available space in the river and thereby influences hydrodynamics, which may result in negative impacts on river morphology and biodiversity (Wang et al…). Hence, the scalability of this concept might be limited, but has not been an extensive topic of research yet. This PhD builds on past research on creating new polders and on managed re-alignment to obtain insight in scalability of the tidal park concept in the Rhine-Meuse estuary. The work will be restructured along the following research lines:

1. Water and sediment distribution in the lower Rhine- Meuse estuary through analysis of data and numerical modelling
2. Potential for creation of tidal parks in the lower Rhine- Meuse estuary and consequences for hydrodynamics, morphology and biodiversity through spatial analysis, numerical modelling, and field measurements
3. Exploration of combinations of tidal park construction in combination with managed re-alignment and consequences for hydrodynamics, morphology and biodiversity through spatial analysis, numerical modelling, and field measurements
4. Exploration of future management scenarios for the Rhine-Meuse estuary, based on evaluation of historic data on water and sediment distribution in the larger Rhine-Meuse estuary, taking into account flood risk, navigation and biodiversity.

You will work in a motivated and multidisciplinary team of researchers working on the most innovative issues with respect to nature-based solutions. You will be part of the NL2120 consortium, a network consisting of 27 partners, including government, NGO;s, knowledge institutes and engineering companies. In total, the program will recruit 12 PhD's at different universtities. You will have a direct link to several implementation projects in the Dutch Delta.

We offer a Phd position focussed on sediment flows and tidal parks in the Rhine-Muese estuary supervised by Bregje van Wesenbeeck and Kees Sloff.

• We are looking for a physical geographist, morphologist of engineer with good modelling skills and the willingsness to collaborate over disciplines.
• Candidates should have finalized their MSc, or be close to finalization and should be eager to pursue a career in science.
• We welcome innovative and out of the box researchers that are able to work with a combination of different methods, such as using earth observation data, modelling, experimental research and field work.
• People who do not shy away of field work in muddy areas are encouraged to apply.
• Good communicative and writing skills are relevant.
• Ability to understand and express yourself in Dutch is a pre. Willingness to work in a multicultural team is a prerequisite.

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.

Fixed-term contract: 4 years.

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 € 2770 per month in the first year to € 3539 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 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.

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 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.

Click here to go to the website of the Faculty of Civil Engineering & Geosciences.

For more information about this vacancy, please contact Dr. Bregje van Wesenbeeck (B.K.vanWesenbeeck@tudelft.nl).