Postdoc in Digital Twins for Flood-Resilient Infrastructure

Develop a Digital Twin that strengthens our ability to protect critical infrastructure against flooding, from climate prediction to structural response.

Job description
Current and future impact of flooding to critical infrastructure (e.g. dikes, bridges) is a major concern worldwide. Unfortunately, the management of flood-prone structures is extremely challenging because underlying processes are complex and uncertain. If our capacity to anticipate flood-induced impacts on infrastructure does not improve, societal and economic consequences are likely to be unsustainable.

Digital Twins (DTs) offer a promising opportunity to combine recent advances in modelling, data assimilation and machine learning. However, for DTs to support the management of flood-prone infrastructure, they must be effectively integrated with flood-risk modelling. The scientific challenge is to develop methods that enable Digital Twins to leverage multiple models, datasets and computational techniques to improve predictive capacity in real flood-risk contexts.

FlooDT (Digital Twin for flood-resilient infrastructure management) is a prestigious and ambitious project funded by NWO. It aims to develop a new methodological framework to exploit the capability of DTs for managing flood risk “from climate prediction to structure protection”. TU Delft is leading the project and a consortium that involves multiple universities (e.g. ETH Zurich, Univ. Polytechnica of Catalunya) and stakeholders (e.g. Deltares, Rijkswaterstaat). The project has also the support of the TU Delft Digital Competence Centre (DCC).

For this unique project we are seeking a motivated and talented Postdoctoral Researcher for a 3 year appointment. In your role you will:

• Develop a comprehensive catalogue of data and models for flood risk assessment of critical infrastructure.
• Design an integrated workflow for data/models for the interoperability and interaction of such datasets and models.
• Build modular, containerised functionalities that operate consistently across different computing environments.
• Develop the computational back-end of the functional modules by advancing new hybrid physics-based and machine-learning algorithms.
• Organise workshops and coordinate stakeholder engagement (e.g. regular meetings, presentations, visits).

You will join the Flood Risk and Hydraulic Structures section, a collaborative and international team where curiosity, interdisciplinary research and scientific excellence are valued. Our section closely collaborates with the other sections within the Department of Hydraulic Engineering, other departments within our Faculty of Civil Engineering and Geoscience and many research groups around the world. We offer strong support for your professional growth, including mentoring, training, and ample opportunities for international collaboration and networking.

Job requirements
We are looking for an enthusiastic and inquisitive computational researcher who enjoys working in an international and multidisciplinary environment. You have:

• A PhD degree in Computer Science, Hydro-informatics or Civil Engineering (or in a related discipline).
• Demonstrated experience in data management, software development and/or model-data interoperability.
• Scientific and/or practical knowledge of digital twinning or machine learning.
• Excellent programming skills (e.g. in Python, SQL, Java, PyTorch, etc.).
• A critical, creative and pro-active approach to research, with good problem-solving skills.
• Proven experience with writing scientific publications and preparing communications for scientific and technical meetings with project partners.
• Excellent command of English (oral and written).

Previous experience with HPC (High Performance Computing) and ontologies is desirable.

We welcome applications from candidates with diverse backgrounds and perspectives.

TU Delft (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 of 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.

Conditions of employment

• Duration of contract is 3 years.
• A job of 32-40 hours per week.

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.

Additional information
For more information about this vacancy, please contact Maria Pregnolato (m.pregnolato@tudelft.nl) 

After the first selection, online interviews will be held in February.

The candidate is expected to start in April/May 2026.

Application procedure
Are you interested in this vacancy? Apply via the application buttom below no later than 18 January 2026 and upload:

• Your CV (max 4 pages), inclusive of two references with contact information.
• Cover letter (max 1 page) describing your motivation and qualifications for the position.
• A list of (up to) 5 publications that best relate to this job offer.
• List of (up to) 5 previous/current projects that best relate to this job offer, with a short summary of the projects and a brief description of the candidate’s role in them.

Please note:

• You can apply online. We will not process applications sent by email and/or post.
• As part of knowledge security, TU Delft conducts a risk assessment during the recruitment of personnel. We do this, among other things, to prevent the unwanted transfer of sensitive knowledge and technology. The assessment is based on information provided by the candidates themselves, such as their motivation letter and CV, and takes place at the final stages of the selection process. When the outcome of the assessment is negative, the candidate will be informed. The processing of personal data in the context of the risk assessment is carried out on the legal basis of the GDPR: performing a public task in the public interest. You can find more information about this assessment on our website about knowledge security.
• Please do not contact us for unsolicited services