The shrinking of large ice sheets currently leads to high uplift rates of the Earth’s surface in their vicinity because of fast viscous flow in the upper mantle. Studying these deformation process, known as glacial isostatic adjustment, provides a unique possibility to understand how the strength of the upper mantle changes over time, and in response to changes in loading. At the same time, there is an important feedback between surface uplift and stability of glaciers. Understanding of how the earth surface will uplift below glaciers may provide better predictions of the future of large ocean-terminating glaciers.

In this project, you will use newly developed numerical models of Earth deformation. These make use of novel microphysical models that describe how mantle rocks deform at upper mantle conditions. You will test how predictions from this new model fit with observational data of past and current-day surface motions and make projections of future uplift in a deglaciating world. The research incorporates both working with numerical models, as well as analyzing time series of geodetic data.

This project is part of a larger effort that aims at revolutionizing our understanding of mantle deformation and its feedback with surface processes. There is ample room for interacting with our partners at the faculty, and national and international research institutes on topics as microphysics of the mantle, surface deformation and ice dynamics.

Becoming an independent thinker is part of the PhD-program, hence we welcome your own ideas on how to shape this research project. We also care that you develop skills and a network that will be important for your career beyond the PhD-program. In our faculty, you will interact with students and staff working on earth-system aspects, including the cryosphere, solid-earth and oceans, from both modelling and observational perspectives.

Need-to-haves:

• Master's degree in Earth sciences, physics, applied mathematics, engineering, computer science or related discipline.
• Strong skills in numerical modelling, solid mechanics and/or analysing geodetic data
• Experience working with Fortran, Python or Matlab.
• A demonstrable interest in any of the topics from the job description
• Good organizational skills and ability to work independently.
• Good command of written and spoken English.

Nice-to haves:

• Experience with peer-reviewed scientific publishing will be appreciated.

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 € 2872 per month in the first year to € 3670 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 Taco Broerse (d.b.t.broerse@tudelft.nl)