The iconic Zeeland Bridge is the longest bridge in the Netherlands, spanning +-5km over the Eastern Scheldt estuary. The bridge was built between 1963 and 1965 to connect the islands of Schouwen-Duiveland and Noord-Beveland in the Province of Zeeland. To continue ensuring the safety of the bridge, with traffic loads expected to increase in the future, the Province of Zeeland is launching a long-term research-focussed monitoring campaign on the bridge: the Zeeland Bridge Field Lab. The mission of the field lab has been defined as:

"Targeted monitoring of the Zeeland Bridge to gain insight into its true structural behaviour, for the purpose of ensuring a predictable and safe connection for the next 15 to 20 years."

You as postdoctoral researcher will play a central role in the field lab, connecting the different partners: the asset owner, knowledge institutes, an engineering firm, hardware providers, etc. More specifically, you will be working on:

• Content coordination of industrial and scientific partners.
• Model development of the Zeeland Bridge including updating.
• Development, testing, and implementation of a long-term monitoring system on the bridge.

You will join an innovation-driven team of early-stage researchers, senior professors, postdocs, PhDs, and MSc researchers with different cultural backgrounds at the Dynamics of Solids and Structures section of the Engineering Structures department, and also closely interact with researchers at the Concrete Structures section. Both sections have an open-minded, inspiring and friendly atmosphere, in which you’ll be sharing ideas and knowledge. A healthy and inclusive work environment is stimulated, in which you can bring out the best in yourself.

The Dynamics of Solids & Structures section has world-class expertise in the dynamics of a very broad range of civil engineering structures, where they typically deal with vibration and wave propagation problems of these structures in the interaction with their environments (soil, sea, air).

The Department of Engineering Structures focuses on the development of resilient, smart and sustainable structures and infrastructures. Our aim is to meet societal demands in transportation, the energy transition and sustainable reuse. Research themes include dynamics of structures, mechanics of materials related to e.g. climate change, modelling and design of railway systems, multi-scale modelling of pavement materials and structures, reuse of materials, structures and parts of structures, assessment methods for structures, smart monitoring techniques, design methods, replacement and renovation of civil infrastructure and development of new materials and maintenance techniques. Our unique Macro Mechanics Laboratory facilities support full-scale testing, monitoring and modelling of structures to facilitate implementation of innovations. The department delivers both groundbreaking research and world-class education for undergraduate and graduate students. As a team, we represent different backgrounds, skills and views. We foster an inclusive culture, as our combined identities, attitudes and ambitions widen our perspective and make up our strengths.

You thrive performing state-of-the-art scientific research that is close to engineering practice and has a high societal relevance. In your contacts with your colleagues and your project partners you put your communication skills to good use. And you embrace collaboration and teamwork to achieve meaningful results,

Additionally, you:

• Hold a PhD on either concrete structures or structural monitoring or a related field.
• Possess demonstratable knowledge and experience in preferably both these fields or are highly willing to learn.
• Have practical experience with structural testing either in the lab or in situ.
• Preferably have experience of leading multi-stakeholder projects.
• Have a good command of English, because you will be working in an international environment. A command of Dutch would help you communicate with industrial partners and students.

Fixed-term contract: 2 years.

Salary and benefits are in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities. 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 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 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 Eliz-Mari Lourens: e.lourens@tudelft.nl.