The upstream Dutch Rhine is experiencing bed degradation at a rate of 2 cm per year, which is problematic to navigation and river management. Less erodible reaches hamper navigation, and in-channel structures are destabilised. Such ongoing bed degradation is also observed in the German Rhine, the Elbe River, and the Danube River. The German Water Management Authority has conducted sediment augmentation measures since 1978 to mitigate the bed degradation, and in 2016 the Rijkswaterstaat conducted a large-scale field experiment (at a cost of €15M) to investigate whether and how sediment augmentation can counteract the degradation problem and to constrain augmentation rates and sediment sizes for future augmentations.

The current vacancy deals with the second of two PhD positions. The first PhD student assesses the relative importance of the various causes of bed degradation. The research objectives of the currently considered second PhD project are to investigate the effectiveness of various mitigation measures, to predict their short-term and long-term effects on the river longitudinal profile, and to design mitigation measures, with particular attention to designing smart sediment augmentation measures.

Considered cases are the Dutch and German Rhine, the Elbe River, and the Danube River.

Daily advisor of the project is Dr Astrid Blom and co-advisor is Dr Enrica Viparelli (University of South Carolina, US). Stays at the University of South Carolina and the involved water management authorities (Netherlands, Germany, Austria) are foreseen. A practitioner group, consisting of members affiliated with the various water management authorities, Deltares, and consultancies will warrant the link to practice.

If applying for the PhD position, the candidate is required to have an MSc degree in Civil or Environmental Engineering, Geosciences, Applied Mathematics, Physics, or a related field. If applying for the PostDoc position, the candidate is required to have a PhD degree or to soon defend his/her PhD thesis. In particular, the preferred candidate has a strong interest in a better understanding of fluvial processes. He/she is communicative, curious, eager to learn, and able to work in a multi-disciplinary team of scientists.

Fixed-term contract: 4-year contract (if PhD) or temporary 3-year contract (if PD).

Delft University of Technology offers an attractive, customisable compensation and benefits package, including a discount for health insurance and sport memberships, and a monthly work costs contribution. Flexible work schedules can be arranged. An International Children’s Centre offers day care, before- and after-school care and an international primary school. Dual Career Services offers support to accompanying partners. Salary and benefits are in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities.

As a PhD candidate you will be enrolled in the TU Delft Graduate School. The TU Delft Graduate School provides an inspiring research environment; an excellent team of supervisors, academic staff and a mentor; and a Doctoral Education Programme aimed at developing your transferable, discipline-related and research skills. Please visit www.tudelft.nl/phd for more information.

Delft University of Technology

Delft University of Technology (the TU Delft) is a multifaceted institution offering education and carrying out research in the technical sciences at an internationally recognised level. Education, research and design are strongly oriented towards applicability. The TU Delft develops technologies for future generations, focusing on sustainability, safety and economic vitality. At the TU Delft you will work in an environment where technical sciences and society converge. The TU Delft comprises eight faculties, unique laboratories, research institutes and schools.

https://www.tudelft.nl

Faculty Civil Engineering and Geosciences

The Faculty of Civil Engineering and Geosciences of Delft University of Technology (TU Delft) provides leading international research and education, with innovation and sustainability as central themes. Research and education are closely interwoven and address societal challenges. The Faculty consists of the departments of Transport and Planning, Structural Engineering, Geoscience and Engineering, Water Management, Hydraulic Engineering, and Geoscience and Remote Sensing.

The Department of Hydraulic Engineering focuses on an improved understanding of physical processes in fluvial, coastal, and estuarine systems, as well as the design of sustainable interventions that increase safety.

The main research themes of the department's Rivers group are: the prediction of (long-term) morphodynamic change, the interaction between flow and vegetation, sediment sorting, flow over groynes and obstacles, and bank erosion.. Key components of our research are analytical and numerical modelling, laboratory experiments, and analysis of field data.

https://www.tudelft.nl/en/ceg/