Are you interested in setting up innovative model solutions to better understand lower shoreface sand transport and thus contribute to a climate-proof coast? At the Water Engineering & Management department we are looking for a PhD researcher to strengthen our team. We are an active and dynamic group of researchers pioneering in the modelling and engineering of marine and fluvial systems.

Alongside another PhD student and a postdoc, you will be one of the researchers in the MELODY project: ModEling LOwer Shoreface Seabed DYnamics for a Climate-Proof Coast. Recently funded by the Dutch Research Council, MELODY aims to better understand sand transport and morphodynamics at the lower shoreface. This zone forms the essential link between the offshore seabed and the nearshore zone, thus controlling how climate change, and the activities to cope with it, affect our coast.

Specifically, your subproject aims to identify the controlling lower shoreface sand transport mechanisms. In particular the balance between low transport rates during normal day conditions, and much higher transport rates during storm events. In order to do so, you will develop an efficient sand transport model for the complete Dutch Lower shoreface, including effects of wind, waves, tide, river discharge, temperature and salinity and with real-time forcing.

Being part of MELODY implies close interaction with your direct supervisors at UT and your fellow researchers (i.e., the other PhD student working on tidal sand waves, as well as a postdoc making the translation to marine and coastal management). To warrant the link to practice, we will have recurring user group meetings with professionals from the Netherlands, as well as a group of international experts. Furthermore, you will present your work at national and international conferences and write your findings in journal papers and a PhD thesis.

• MSc in Civil Engineering, Physical Geography, Applied Mathematics or related discipline.
• You have sound numerical/programming skills (e.g Python, Matlab, other).
• You have experience with data-analysis and hydraulic modelling software (e.g. Delft3D, XBeach).
• Your organizational skills are good. You are enthusiastic, independent and have a problem solving attitude
• You are willing to contribute to the Civil Engineering teaching program and to supervise graduate students.
• Your writing skills are good - you have written technical and/or scientific reports.
• You are fluent in English, both spoken and written (IELTS >= 6.5 or equivalent).

• A challenging position in an inspiring multidisciplinary environment with enthusiastic colleagues.
• Four-year fulltime PhD position, with a qualifier exam after 6-9 months
• Full status as an employee at the UT, including pension and health care benefits
• Tailor-made educational/development program of at least 6 months (30EC), including visits to conferences.
• A starting salary of €2.434,- gross per month in the first year and increasing to €3.111,- gross per month in the fourth year.
• An annual holiday allowance of 8% of the gross annual salary, and an annual year-end bonus of 8.3%.
• Minimum of 29 holidays per year in case of fulltime employment.
• You have to be willing to move to (the vicinity of) Enschede. A relocation allowance or temporary housing allowance may be part of the offer.
• The University of Twente is situated on a green and lively campus with lots of facilities for sports and other activities.
• We provide excellent mentorship and a stimulating research environment to accelerate your further professional and personal growth.

Your first responsibility is to carry out the research, but you also will acquire teaching experience (about 10% of your time). We support you to broaden your knowledge by joining international exchange programs, by participating in national and international conferences and workshops and by visiting industrial companies, research institutes, and universities worldwide.