Understanding and predicting long-term emissions is important for developing sustainable management approaches for contaminated sites. In this project you will develop a stochastic reactive transport model that will be integrated in a tool to make long-term predictions of the expected dynamics in emissions as a result of changing environmental drivers. The timescale for such predictions ranges from 50 to 500 years. Quantification of uncertainty, assessment of errors, integration of measured data and parameter inference in lagrangian models are key aspects of this project.

This project will be carried out in the context of an ambitious field trial in the Netherlands where in-situ-stabilization techniques are implemented at full-scale to reduce long-term emissions from landfills in order to bring them out of aftercare within the next decade. This large-scale pilot project started in 2017, is world-leading and potentially transformative for the waste management industry in developing and demonstrating a new approach to post-closure management.

Parallel to these field trials we are running the CURE-project: “Coupled multi-process research for reducing landfill emissions”. This project is a collaboration between the TU Delft, Wageningen University Research, University of Southampton and the University of Delaware and funded by the Dutch Science Foundation NWO. Currently, four PhD researchers and two Postdocs are working in the project.

In this project you collaborate with the research team of the TU Delft, the University of Southampton and the University of Delaware as well as with the industry partners Afvalzorg Holding, Attero and the Dutch Sustainable Landfill Foundation.

• MSc degree and/or PhD in Earth Sciences, Biogeosciences, Civil Engineering, Hydrogeology, or Hydrology;
• Strong programming and data science skills in at least Python and Matlab;
• Experience in developing and coding numerical stochastic models;
• Database management skills (SQL);
• The willingness to be part of a larger team and participate in joint activities such as carrying out field campaigns;
• Ability to plan and work independently within a team environment;
• Good communication skills;
• Driving license (mandatory).

Fixed-term contract: 3 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.