The Forecast Arctic Surges and Tides for the Netherlands (FAST4NL) project is a joint project of the two TU Delft faculties Electrical Engineering, Mathematics and Computer Science (EEMCS) and Civil Engineering and Geosciences (CEG), Deltares, and EOMAP with involvements from scientists of the TU Delft faculty of Aerospace Engineering, the Royal Netherlands Meteorological Institute (KNMI), and the Royal Netherlands Institute for Sea Research (NIOZ). The project aims to quantify the impact of Arctic sea ice decline on future global tidal and storm surge extreme water levels. Key elements of the project are the development of an Arctic total water level (TWL) model and its calibration by radar altimeter-observed TWLs. This calibrated Arctic TWL model will then be used to assess the impact of Arctic sea ice decline on global tides and surges with special focus on the Arctic and the North Sea, and to improve storm surge forecasting in the Netherlands. 

The project consists of four work packages (WPs) to be executed by two PhD candidates. These are: 1) The development of the Arctic component of the Global Tide and Surge Model (GTSM); 2) A calibration & validation of the model using SAR altimetry; 3) Forecasting the Arctic Tides and Surges; and 4) Projecting the impact of Arctic sea ice decline on tides and surges.

The specific tasks of the first PhD will be to i) add the physics needed to model water level variations in ice-covered seas, ii) develop the data assimilation techniques needed to calibrate the model using altimeter TWLs, iii) use the model to assess the impact of seasonal ice cover variations and sea-ice decline over the period 1980-present.

You will work together with the other PhD, who will focuss on radar processing and related topics.  We are only seeking applications for PhD 1.

For more information about the project as a whole and the four WPs, we refer to www.fast4nl.nl/    

Applicants should have the following qualifications:

• Team player;

• Proven programming skills;

• Keen interest in data analytics;

• Good proficiency in spoken and written English.

Specific requirements:

• MSc degree in mathematics;

• Knowledge of data assimilation, stochastic processes, probability theory, statistics, and system and control;

• Strong affinity with numerical modelling.

Fixed-term contract: 4 years.

TU Delft offers a customisable compensation package, a discount for health insurance and sport memberships, and a monthly work costs contribution. Flexible work schedules can be arranged. An International Children’s Centre offers childcare and an international primary school. Dual Career Services offers support to accompanying partners. Salary and benefits are in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities.

As a PhD candidate you will be enrolled in the TU Delft Graduate School. TU Delft Graduate School provides an inspiring research environment; an excellent team of supervisors, academic staff and a mentor; and a Doctoral Education Programme aimed at developing your transferable, discipline-related and research skills. Please visit www.tudelft.nl/phd for more information.

Faculty Electrical Engineering, Mathematics and Computer Science

The Faculty of Electrical Engineering, Mathematics and Computer Science (EEMCS) is known worldwide for its high academic quality and the social relevance of its research programmes. The faculty’s excellent facilities accentuate its international position in teaching and research. Within this interdisciplinary and international setting the faculty employs more than 1100 employees, including about 400 graduate students and about 2100 students. Together they work on a broad range of technical innovations in the fields of sustainable energy, telecommunications, microelectronics, embedded systems, computer and software engineering, interactive multimedia and applied mathematics.

Research at the Delft Institute of Applied Mathematics (DIAM) centres around the analysis of mathematical models arising in science and engineering. This research is both fundamental and applied in nature, and is often inspired by technical applications. The department plays an active role in translating research results into concrete, practical applications. It maintains intensive contacts with other TU Delft departments, the major technological institutes, and the research laboratories of major companies. Within its own subject field, the department provides teaching for the Applied Mathematics BSc and MSc programmes, and also contributes to the teaching of mathematics courses within other academic programmes at the TU Delft and within national programmes such as “MasterMath”.

The Delft Institute of Applied Mathematics consists of six research groups: Analysis, Mathematical Physics, Numerical Analysis, Applied Probability, Statistics, and Optimisation. More information about the Delft Institute of Applied Mathematics can be found at www.ewi.tudelft.nl/en/the-faculty/departments/applied-mathematics/.

https://www.tudelft.nl/en/eemcs/the-faculty/