Flood risks in deltas are increasing. Moreover, a lot of the large scale infrastructure in the Dutch delta and other deltas (e.g. dikes, dams, weirs, barriers, sluices, quay walls) is ageing. It is crucial to come to a better understanding of the performance, reliability and resilience of hydraulic infrastructure in the context of flood risk management and other functions. .  Hydraulic infrastructure reaching the end of its lifetime needs to be re-assessed in order to integrally address optimization of infrastructure replacement and maintenance.

The new tenure tracker will focus on improving methods for flood risk quantification and risk-based design using both grey and green interventions. You will advance methods for flood risk assessment, by introducing new aspects such as (modelling) cascading impacts of floods on various critical infrastructure systems, and novel evaluation methods which may also consider other functions than flood risk (e.g. navigation, nature for river systems).

Ideally, you will also develop and include approaches to monitor delta infrastructure, and to integrate the observations in assessments of the strength, reliability and durability of the infrastructure. Innovative observational techniques (and particularly combinations of observations) will be developed, and / or deployed at various scales (lab, pilot scale, full scale). The observations could  also include “post-disaster” observations of damaged infrastructure and economic damages after events. The coupling with data science will be addressed, e.g. through the development of digital twins of the considered infrastructure. Monitoring and interventions need to be prioritized following the needs of asset and life cycle management.

The candidate preferably has expertise in multiple of the following fields: flood risk management, reliability engineering, monitoring and data science, and applications to (hydraulic) delta infrastructure. Given the interest in riverine flood risk issues in the department, it would also be relevant if the candidate has expertise in this field.

The key job responsibilities of a successful candidate for this Assistant or associate Professorship include:

• Research (40%): Delivering high quality, internationally leading research related to [xxx]. (Co)supervising PhD and MSc students aimed at successful completion of their theses. Effectively disseminating research outcomes via internationally leading journals and conferences is an intrinsic part of the job.
• Education (40%): Contributing to the organization and teaching of relevant courses in the BSc and MSc programs of Civil Engineering and Applied Earth Sciences, particularly the Hydraulic and off shore structures specialization (HOS). This includes the opportunity to introduce new content and teaching methods matching the candidate’s expertise and interests in the renewed MSc programs (offered from September 2022). Preparing, supervising and assessing of BSc and MSc student projects.
• Valorization (included in previous categories): Initiating projects and obtaining funding for new research and/or education projects. We encourage proactive engagement with both private and government sectors, i.e. industry, business and community partners for societal impact.
• Organization (20%): Contributing to organizational / administrative activities and committees within the Department of Hydraulic Engineering and the Faculty of Civil Engineering and Geosciences

The position is open for candidates for the assistant and associate professor level. At the level of associate professor, the candidate is expected to have proven capabilities and track record with the initiation and coordination of the research described above and fulfils the criteria of for this role within TU Delft.     

We are looking for a tenure tracker who will strengthen our research group in the above mentioned area. The newly hired colleague preferably:

• holds a doctorate degree (PhD) in engineering or science in a relevant field, like Civil Engineering or mechanical engineering.
• is a good team player, can work independently and has good communication skills (knowledge of the Dutch language is an advantage). Particularly,  the candidate will closely work with  Dutch infrastructure providers (e.g. Rijkswaterstaat, Waterboards, Port of Rotterdam, etc.) to realize pilots and programs and to contribute to utilization of research output. Examples are programs to monitor quay walls, dikes or storm surge barriers.
• has a track record that demonstrates the ability to independently perform and publish high quality research. Generally, the candidate is expected to be able to acquire funding for research and education projects through cooperation with the private sector, industries, government and/or EU or Dutch national projects and research grants. A good network in academia (national and international), the private sector, industries, infrastructure providers and research institutes is an advantage.
• demonstrates a strong ability to set up his/her own research area and buildhis/her own research group, while at the same time establishing strong collaborations with colleagues within the department, faculty and university.
• possesses a good understanding of the higher education and academic environment, including diversity and inclusion values.
• is able to develop and deliver high quality education, and is able to motivate students.

Even though you may not have a 100% match to all mentioned job requirements, we invite you to send in your application.    

Fixed-term contract: depending on startdate.

Our intention is to offer you a permanent position after a probation period  in which you will be evaluated based on performance indicators agreed upon at the start of the appointment. We expect that you have the potential to grow towards an Associate Professor and/or Full Professor role in the future.

Inspiring, excellent education is our central aim. We expect you to obtain a University Teaching Qualification (UTQ) within three years if you have less than five years of teaching experience. This is provided by the TU Delft UTQ programme.
TU Delft sets high standards for the English competency of the teaching staff. The TU Delft offers training to improve English competency. If you do not speak Dutch, we offer courses to learn the Dutch language within three years.

Salary and benefits are in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities. The TU Delft offers a customisable compensation package, a discount on health insurance and sport memberships, and a monthly work costs contribution. Flexible work schedules can be arranged.

For international applicants we offer the Coming to Delft Service and Partner Career Advice to assist you with your relocation. An International Children's Centre offers childcare and there is an international primary school.

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 and aim to be as inclusive as possible (see our Code of Conduct). Together, we imagine, invent and create solutions using technology to have a positive impact on a global scale.

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 depletion, urbanisation and the availability of clean water, conducted  in close cooperation with a wide range of research institutions. CEG is convinced that Open Science helps to achieve our goals 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.

The Department of Hydraulic Engineering generates and dissiminates academic knowledge in an internationally highly acknowledged Dutch tradition. The aim is to solve present-day social problems, such as the reduction of flood risks and the development of coastal zones. Not only typical lowland-related problems, such as dike failure and evacuation in case of floodings are dealt with, but also global phenomena, like sea level rise and highly populated coastal areas.

Furthermore, the department treats the behaviour of fluids, offshore technology, design of hydraulic structures and logistics of harbours and waterways. To support finding innovative solutions, own advanced experimental facilities and computational models are being used.In an ever-changing environment our curiosity is triggered to study the underlying processes, in order to find sustainable solutions and to educate future generations.

The department closely cooperates with industry. In many sections staff of various companies work also part-time for the department of hydraulic engineering.

Hydraulic Engineering (tudelft.nl)