PhD and Postdoc positions on Global delta modelling

River deltas have been growing for thousands of years, but their future is uncertain. Internal geomorphological feedbacks may push deltas past a tipping point, leading to rapid land loss. This project aims to quantify the life expectancies of global deltas. We offer two positions — a PhD on Holocene delta modelling and a PhD or postdoc on human impact — funded by an NWO VIDI grant.

Your job
In addition to the risks that sediment deficits and sea-level rise pose on modern ‘anthropocene’ deltas, there is a larger, mostly unknown risk that arises from internal geomorphological feedbacks within natural deltas. These feedbacks could lead to a tipping point in delta growth, called autobreak, after which follows rapid land loss. It remains unknown, however, if deltas will reach this tipping point within the next decades, centuries, or millennia. Some deltas even may have already passed it. In other words: river deltas have life expectancies but we do not know what they are. In this project we will quantify the life expectancies of all global deltas.

There is a PhD position (1) available on Holocene delta modelling and data assimilation. In this position you will:

• integrate available paleogeographic data of several deltas globally;
• operate, test, and improve a novel numerical delta evolution model that simulates geomorphological tipping points;
• simulate deltas from their ‘birth’ in the Middle Holocene under known sea level rise and sediment delivery;
• compare simulation results to reconstructed delta growth to track their development over time;
• investigate the proximity of deltas to their intrinsic autobreak tipping point.

There is a PhD or postdoc position (2) (to be determined) available on the effect of human activities on global delta growth. In this position you will:

• integrate available data on the effect of human activities on delta geomorphology (e.g., dredging, land reclamation, subsidence);
• operate, test, and improve the same delta model as in position (1);
• assess the influence of human activities on the proximity of delta tipping points.

To support academic and personal development, PhD candidates also follow courses and assist in teaching Earth Sciences at Bachelor's and Master's level. Together these activities amount to twenty percent of the contracted time.

Both positions are funded by an NWO – VIDI grant called LOST: Testing the limits to delta growth.

One of these positions may be the right fit for you, if you have:

• a MSc (when applying for a PhD position) or a recent PhD (for the Postdoc position) in earth sciences, physical geography, hydrology, civil engineering, or a related field;
• affinity with numerical modelling, preferably geomorphological modelling or sedimentological modelling;
• prior knowledge in handling large scale datasets and enthusiastic about working with diverse sedimentological and geomorphological datasets;
• for position (1): knowledge of Holocene-timescale development of deltas, and for position (2): affinity with human influence on delta sediment budgets;
• strong teamwork skills
• excellent English oral and writing skills

For the PhD position(s) we offer:

• a position for one year, with an extension to a total of four years upon a successful assessment in the first year, and with the specific intent that it results in a doctorate within this period;
• a working week of 36 to 40 hours with a full-time gross salary between €2,872 in the first year and €3,670 in the fourth year of employment in scale P of the Collective Labor Agreement Dutch Universities;
• 8% holiday bonus and 8.3% end-of-year bonus;
• a pension scheme, partially paid parental leave, and flexible employment conditions based on the Collective Labor Agreement Dutch Universities.

For the postdoc position we offer:

• a position for one year, with an extension to a total of three years upon a successful assessment in the first year;
• a working week of 36 to 40 hours and a gross monthly salary between €3,345 and €5,278 in the case of full-time employment (salary scale 10 under the Collective Labor Agreement for Dutch Universities (CAO NU));
• 8% holiday bonus and 8.3% end-of-year bonus;
• a pension scheme, partially paid parental leave, and flexible employment conditions based on the Collective Labor Agreement Dutch Universities.

In addition to the terms of employment laid down in the CAO NU, Utrecht University has a number of schemes and facilities of its own for employees. This includes schemes facilitating professional development, leave schemes and schemes for sports and cultural activities, as well as discounts on software and other IT products. We also offer access to additional employee benefits through our Terms of Employment Options Model. In this way, we encourage our employees to continue to invest in their growth. For more information, please visit Working at Utrecht University.

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Utrecht University’s Faculty of Geosciences studies the Earth: from the Earth’s core to its surface, including man’s spatial and material utilisation of the Earth – always with a focus on sustainability and innovation. With 3,400 students (BSc and MSc) and 720 staff, the faculty is a strong and challenging organisation. The Faculty of Geosciences is organised in four Departments: Earth Sciences, Human Geography & Spatial Planning, Physical Geography, and Sustainable Development.

The Department of Physical Geography excels in research and education on BSc, MSc, and PhD level. We study processes, patterns, and dynamics of Earth’s surface from the mountains to the sea. This knowledge is essential for the sustainable management of our planet and to guarantee the availability of resources for the next generations. We are a lively department that hosts an active early career community (PhD candidates, postdocs, researchers, and lecturers). We organise a warm welcome for every new member. In the department of Physical Geography you will be part of a team that works on river deltas.

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To apply, please send your curriculum vitae, including a letter of motivation, via the ‘apply now’ button. PhD candidates who have an international Master's diploma are requested to send a copy of their Bachelor's and Master's diploma, as well as their grades lists (in English).

Preferred interview dates are 1 and 8 April, and can be in person (for local candidates) or via MS Teams (for candidates further away). Please mention in the motivation letter whether you are applying for a PhD or postdoc position. Additionally, please mention it in your letter if you need to know the outcome of the application prior to 15 April (for example in case you are considering offers from US PhD programmes). The preferred starting date is summer or fall 2025.