PhD/Doctoral Candidate (MCSA Fellow) in Coastal Engineering (8th out of 12 positions of SEDIMARE Network): "Morphodynamics of tidal basins using subgrid modelling: role of bank erosion"

SEDIMARE (Sediment transport and morphodynamics in marine and coastal waters with engineering solutions) is a HE/MSCA Doctoral Network comprising 10 organizations (University of Patras, Polytechnic University of Marche, University of Twente, IHCantabria, Catholic University of Louvain, Deltares, FUGRO Geoconsulting, Mentucci Aldo Costruzioni, University of Nottingham, and HR Wallingford) including universities, research institutes and companies. The objective of SEDIMARE is the interdisciplinary training of 12 Doctoral Candidates (DC) in coastal processes and engineering, aiming towards a sustainable coastal use and protection.

Under SEDIMARE, the Marine & Fluvial Systems group, Faculty of Engineering Technology, University of Twente, NL will recruit one DC for the project entitled "Morphodynamics of tidal basins using subgrid modelling: role of bank erosion". This project, a collaboration between the University of Twente (UT) and UC Louvain (UCL), combines numerical and experimental work. The numerical part (UT) concerns subgrid modelling of hydro- and morphodynamics of tidal basins, using the 3Di model and extending it to improve it for long-term morphodynamic computations. Laboratory experiments (at UCL, during a 12-month secondment under supervision of Prof. Sandra Soares-Frazao) will lead to a new bank erosion formulation. The final aim is to implement this in 3Di and conduct an application to channel-shoal patterns in the Wadden Sea.

The University of Twente (employer) stands for life sciences and technology. High tech and human touch. Education and research that matter. New technology which leads change, innovation and progress in society. The University of Twente is the only campus university of the Netherlands; divided over five faculties we provide more than fifty educational programmes. We have a strong focus on personal development and talented researchers are given scope for carrying out ground-breaking research.

The University of Louvain (location of the secondment) is a full university with 5 campuses in Belgium, the main one located in Louvain-la-Neuve. The University offers 45 Bachelor programmes and more than 100 different Masters. The doctoral candidate will work in the Institute of Mechanics, Materials and Civil Engineering (iMMC) within the Hydraulics Laboratory where the research philosophy is to adequately combine experimental and numerical modelling to allow each member of the group to perform strong research with valuable results.

• MSc-level graduate in Civil Engineering, Physics, Applied Mathematics or related discipline.
• Experience and affinity with both numerical modelling techniques and laboratory experiments.
• English Proficiency in written and oral English (B2; above IELTS 6.5 or equivalent).

Note that in order to be eligible for this position, applicants:

• must not have a doctoral degree at the date of their recruitment,
• can be of any nationality,
• should be enrolled in a doctoral programme during the project,
• should comply with the mobility rules: in general, they must not have resided or carried out their main activity (work, studies, etc.) in the country of the recruiting organization for more than 12 months in the 36 months immediately before their recruitment date

We offer a full-time 4-year PhD-position according to the HE/MSCA rules (https://marie-sklodowska-curie-actions.ec.europa.eu/actions/doctoral-networks), with excellent mentorship and a stimulating research environment.

We encourage high responsibility and independence while collaborating with colleagues, researchers, other university staff and partners.

• The gross monthly salary will be ranging from € 2.541,00 (first year), increasing each year up to € 3.247,00 in the fourth year.
• Salary and associated conditions are in accordance with the collective labour agreement for Dutch universities (CAO-NU).
• You will have a minimum of 232 leave hours in case of full-time employment based on a formal workweek of 38 hours. A full-time employment in practice means 40 hours a week, therefore resulting in 96 extra leave hours on an annual basis.
• Starting date: not later than 1 September 2023.