PhD Position Coupled Sea Ice / Ocean Modeling for Improving Climate Predictions

Sea ice is an extensive layer of frozen ocean that plays a crucial role in our climate system. In the last few decades, the global extent of the sea ice pack has diminshed drastically due to warming at the poles. Current climate models cannot capture this sea ice decline appropriately, notably due to lack of understanding of ocean / sea ice interactions at fine scles. By improving the accuracy in the modeling of the polar oceans, your work will help our ability to predict the trajectory of the climate in the coming decades.

In this project, you will use a model of ocean turbulence coupled with a discrete element model of sea ice to explore how their interactions impact the breakage, melt, freezing and thickening of the sea ice pack. You will test how future warming will affect these processes and quantify the impact of sea ice changes on the wider climate system. You will also have the chance to leverage the departmental expertise on remote sensing to produce comparisons between models and observations.

Your work will connect with the CliMA initiative at Caltech, MIT and NASA JPL, and the multi-university ONR initiative on sea ice, which both aim to sharpen our understanding of the climate using more efficient and accurate models. Throughout the project, you will have the opportunity to interact with these international research teams for scientific and technical exchanges. You will also benefit from cutting-edge software designed to be fast (GPU-accelerated), user-friendly and modular, which will allow you to make a strong scientific impact. 

We value your development as an independent thinker and therefore welcome your own ideas in shaping the research direction based on your specific interests. We also care that you develop skills and a network that will be important for your career beyond the Ph.D. program. In our faculty, you will interact with students and staff working on all aspects of the climate, including atmosphere, oceans and the cryosphere, from both modeling and observational perspectives.

• Master's degree in Earth sciences, physics, applied mathematics, engineering, computer science or related discipline.
• Strong skills in fluid mechanics, solid mechanics and numerical modelling.
• Experience working with Matlab, Python or Julia.
• A demonstrable interest in climate physics.
• Good organizational skills and ability to work independently.
• Good command of written and spoken English.
• Experience with peer-reviewed scientific publishing will be appreciated.

Doing a PhD at TU Delft requires English proficiency at a certain level to ensure that the candidate is able to communicate and interact well, participate in English-taught Doctoral Education courses, and write scientific articles and a final thesis. For more details please check the Graduate Schools Admission Requirements.

Doctoral candidates will be offered a 4-year period of employment in principle, but in the form of 2 employment contracts. An initial 1,5 year contract with an official go/no go progress assessment within 15 months. Followed by an additional contract for the remaining 2,5 years assuming everything goes well and performance requirements are met.

Salary and benefits are in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities, increasing from € 2770 per month in the first year to € 3539 in the fourth year. As a PhD candidate you will be enrolled in the TU Delft Graduate School. The TU Delft Graduate School provides an inspiring research environment with an excellent team of supervisors, academic staff and a mentor. The Doctoral Education Programme is aimed at developing your transferable, discipline-related and research skills.

The TU Delft offers a customisable compensation package, discounts on health insurance, and a monthly work costs contribution. Flexible work schedules can be arranged. 

For international applicants, TU Delft has the Coming to Delft Service. This service provides information for new international employees to help you prepare the relocation and to settle in the Netherlands. The Coming to Delft Service offers a Dual Career Programme for partners and they organise events to expand your (social) network.

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 as one of our core values and we actively engage to be a university where you feel at home and can flourish. We value different perspectives and qualities. We believe this makes our work more innovative, the TU Delft community more vibrant and the world more just. Together, we imagine, invent and create solutions using technology to have a positive impact on a global scale. That is why we invite you to apply. Your application will receive fair consideration.

Challenge. Change. Impact!

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 availability, urbanisation and clean water. Our research projects are conducted in close cooperation with a wide range of research institutions. CEG is convinced of the importance of open science 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.

Please apply no later than 13 May 2024 via the application button and upload the following documents:

• Curriculum vitae.
• Motivation letter detailing: (1) your interest in climate physics and (2) your experience in conducting research.
• Transcripts from your BSc and MSc degrees.
• Contact details for two referees.
• If available, a copy of your MSc thesis will be appreciated.

Please note:

• You should apply online via the portal. We will not process applications sent by email.
• A pre-employment screening can be part of the selection procedure.
• Kindly do not contact us for unsolicited services.