Are you passionate about contributing to research on climate change impacts, which are becoming increasingly urgent? Join us in expanding our understanding of topics such as the effectiveness of risk reduction measures and their physical feasibility amidst rising climate change and sea-level rise.

Your job
At the department of Physical Geography, we explore these adaptation options and link them to adaptation pathways aiming to promote sustainable deltas. To contribute to this research, we seek a team of three PhD candidates who will each work on a separate project:

1. Global Delta Adaptation Physical Solution Space aims to understand adaptation measures in deltas globally to climate-driven flood- risk due to sea- level rise and changes in river flows. You will work on a quantitative approach to assess the effectiveness and physical feasibility of different adaptation measures and pathways under a range of climate and socio-economic scenarios. Methods include model-based flood- risk analysis and pathways generation, which will result in an assessment of delta adaptation pathways and resources globally.
2. Rhine-Meuse Delta Adaptation to Extreme Compound Events focuses on understanding adaptation measures and pathways to uncertain compounding climate extremes such as extreme rainfall, river flow, and storm surge. You will work on modelling water management and land use change measures under scenarios involving multiple hazards for the Rhine-Meuse delta. With this model you can assess the physical feasibility of adaptation measures that work with the functioning of the natural environment (“What does the delta want?”). The research will be carried out in collaboration with Rijkswaterstaat, the Dutch government authority for public works and water management.
3. Strategies to Enhance Sedimentation for Delta Adaptation is about sedimentation in deltas as adaptation strategy to relative sea-level rise. You will explore strategies to reintroduce sedimentation to discover their potential and limitations worldwide. You will develop a generic modeling approach to quantify the effectiveness of these strategies in reducing flood risk. This model can then be used to better understand the role of sediments in delta adaptation, and their potential in combination with other adaptation measures to enhance delta sustainability.

To support academic and personal development, PhD candidates follow courses and assist in teaching Earth Sciences at Bachelor's and Master's level. Together these activities amount to twenty percent of the contracted time.

We look forward to your application if you have the following qualifications:

• an MSc in earth, climate, or environmental sciences, (civil) engineering, or a related field;
• skills in programming and using large spatial datasets (preferably Python, or willing to learn Python);
• experience with high-performance computing, or interest in learning;
• strong quantitative methodological skills, in particular knowledge of (spatial) data analysis, hydrological modelling, scenario analysis;
• excellent English oral and writing skills and willingness to learn Dutch;
• interest in interdisciplinary scientific challenges and interactions;
• an team oriented mindset, with good communicative skills.

We offer:

• a position for 1 year, with an extension to a total of four years upon a successful assessment in the first year, and with the specific intent that it results in a doctorate within this period;
• a working week of 36 hours and a gross monthly salary between €2,770 and €3,539 in the case of full-time employment (salary scale P under the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities (CAO NU));
• 8% holiday pay and 8.3% year-end bonus;
• a pension scheme, partially paid parental leave and flexible terms of employment based on the CAO NU.

In addition to the terms of employment laid down in the CAO NU, Utrecht University has a number of schemes and facilities of its own for employees. This includes schemes facilitating professional development, leave schemes and schemes for sports and cultural activities, as well as discounts on software and other IT products. We also offer access to additional employee benefits through our Terms of Employment Options Model. In this way, we encourage our employees to continue to invest in their growth. For more information, please visit Working at Utrecht University.

Universiteit Utrecht

A better future for everyone. This ambition motivates our scientists in executing their leading research and inspiring teaching. At Utrecht University, the various disciplines collaborate intensively towards major strategic themes. Our focus is on Dynamics of Youth, Institutions for Open Societies, Life Sciences and Pathways to Sustainability. Sharing science, shaping tomorrow.

Utrecht University’s Faculty of Geosciences studies the Earth: from the Earth’s core to its surface, including man’s spatial and material utilisation of the Earth – always with a focus on sustainability and innovation. With 3,400 students (BSc and MSc) and 720 staff, the faculty is a strong and challenging organisation. The Faculty of Geosciences is organised in four Departments: Earth Sciences, Human Geography & Spatial Planning, Physical Geography, and Sustainable Development.

The team of the department of Physical Geography excels in research and education at the BSc, MSc, and PhD levels. We conduct research on processes, patterns, and dynamics of Earth’s systems, from the mountains to the sea, and the interactions in between. This knowledge is essential for the sustainable management of our planet and to ensure the availability of resources for future generations.

We are a vibrant department that fosters an active early-career community consisting of PhD candidates, researchers, and lecturers. We prioritise creating a welcoming environment for every new member.