Postdoc position in rivers and flood resilient landscapes

Job description

The challenge

The societal and natural pressures (e.g. climate change) on the rivers and riverine environment are increasing and become increasingly complex to manage, in particular regarding flood risk. Understanding impact of multiple human activities on hydraulics and morphodynamic developments hence is one of the main challenges we face. Dike management focuses on strength of the dike taking the river water levels as boundary conditions This PD project aims at determining the combined effect of river management and dike design to enable robust, ecologically friendly and cheaper solutions. To further strengthen our group we are looking for a postdoctoral researcher with expertise in process-based modelling of river hydraulics, river flood predictions and hydrodynamic aspects of flood resilient landscapes (floodplains and foreshores). Knowledge of dike stability processes and river morphodynamics is advantageous. This postdoc will be responsible for helping the UT-staff in leading the case Rhine river and the research line flood resilient landscapes in the NWO-funded perspective program Future Flood Risk Management Technologies for river and coasts, in which 4 universities and over 30 industry/governmental partners collaborate.

Teaching: The new Postdoc will be invited to assist in teaching tasks of the group, e.g. supervising practical classes in the BSc course in Fluid Dynamics, the MSc courses in river dynamics, Building with Nature and/or the MSc Hydraulic modelling course. (S)he will also supervise graduation projects at BSc and MSc level. The total teaching load will be at max 10%.

Research: We are looking for an independent researcher who is able to identify the academic questions in practical applications related to marine dynamics and vice versa: to translate academic research results into engineering practice. Publishing on these subjects in scientific journals, as well as presenting them on conferences and in user meetings, is a logical part of the research.

General:   The candidate has a successful track record in (numerical) modelling of river dynamics and applicable modelling techniques. We look for a person who is enthusiastic  about  working in a team of academics, and who feels committed to teaching (in the BSc and MSc programmes in Civil Engineering and Management) and to supervising junior researchers.  The candidate has excellent writing skills and is capable and willing to maintain good (national and international) contacts with consultants, knowledge institutes and the government.

Your profile

• PhD in river dynamics or dike strength from a background in Civil Engineering, Environmental Fluid Dynamics, Applied Mathematics or related discipline
• Strong publication record
• You have excellent writing skills
• You have good teaching skills and teaching experience is a plus
• You have  good coaching skills (BSc and MSc-students)
• You are a team player
• You have good communication skills (in English and preferably also in Dutch)

Our offer

• We offer a 2-year fulltime position (or equivalently longer if part-time employment is preferred) in an enthusiastic team. The postdoctoral position may also be extended, depending on other projects in the group
• The university offers a fun and dynamic environment with enthusiastic colleagues where cooperation with other researchers is stimulated
• A gross salary between € 3.877,- and € 5.090,- per month (depending on experience and qualifications) and a solid pension scheme. Salary and conditions are in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement (CAO) of the Dutch Universities.
• Excellent research facilities and the possibility to work with departments;
• A holiday allowance of 8% of the gross annual salary and a year-end bonus of 8,3%
• A minimum of 29 holidays in case of full-time employment, and possibilities to save up holidays for sabbatical leave
• An inspiring multidisciplinary and challenging international and academic environment

Information and application

If you have any questions, feel free to contact Prof. dr. Suzanne J.M.H. Hulscher by email s.j.m.h.hulscher@utwente.nl or Dr. Jord Warmink by email j.j.warmink@utwente.nl or Dr. Anouk Bomers by email a.bomers@utwente.nl

Your application consists of a motivation letter (max 2 pages), CV including teaching experience, full publication list and contact details of two references.

Please send your application before May 14th 2024. We foresee that the interviews will be on May 30th and June 3rd 2024.

About the organisation

The Faculty of Engineering Technology (ET) engages in education and research of Mechanical Engineering, Civil Engineering and Industrial Design Engineering. We enable society and industry to innovate and create value using efficient, solid and sustainable technology. We are part of a ‘people-first' university of technology, taking our place as an internationally leading center for smart production, processes and devices in five domains: Health Technology, Maintenance, Smart Regions, Smart Industry and Sustainable Resources. Our faculty is home to about 2,900 Bachelor's and Master's students, 550 employees and 150 PhD candidates. Our educational and research programmes are closely connected with UT research institutes Mesa+ Institute, TechMed Center and Digital Society Institute.