PhD Position Modeling and Simulating Resilience of Maritime Network Infrastructures
Develope new modelling and simulation methods to assess and reduce vulnerability of maritime critical infrastructures
Job description
It is of the utmost important to ensure the robustness of maritime network infratructures, such as shipping, energy (wind farms, oil and gas pipelines), food supply (fishery), and telecom (fiber-optic data & communication lines) networks. The integration of these cyber-physical systems in maritime assets is necessary for their efficient and safe operation and performance but also leaves them more vulnerable to security threats.
This exciting PhD project presents several scientific challenges, including: developing advanced models for assessing the vulnerability of maritime critical infrastructures by combining expertise from diverse network domains; designing strategies to optimize the robustness of these critical infrastructures by combining
network/system and game theory; facilitating the development of simulation tools for vulnerability analysis.
You will be part of a leading team in network data science within the Multimedia Computing Group (MMC). We share a drive to understand and optimize complex systems ranging from social, technical to economic systems.
The supervision team consists of Huijuan Wang from the department of Intelligent Systems, Robbert Fokkink from the Delft Institute of Applied Mathematics (DIAM) and Alex Stefanov from the department of Electrical Sustainable Energy. This Phd project is part of the grand natioinal project NEPTARGOS: Nautical Empowerment for Proactive Threat Analysis and Resilience with Guardian Oversight Systems. In your role, you will collaborate with NEPTARGOS partners, including Tilburg University, TNO and other public and private partners.
Job requirements
You are a recent graduate looking to use your analytical skills and innate curiosity to create a better, safer world. While the necessary scientific skills are important, you must also be able to thrive in a complex multi-disciplinary team with many stakeholders.
You also have:
- An MSc degree in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Applied Mathematics or Applied Physics.
- Good programming skills.
- Some experience with network science, complex systems and data analysis is preferable.
TU Delft (Delft University of Technology)
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!
Faculty of Electrical Engineering, Mathematics and Computer Science
The Faculty of Electrical Engineering, Mathematics and Computer Science (EEMCS) brings together three scientific disciplines. Combined, they reinforce each other and are the driving force behind the technology we all use in our daily lives. Technology such as the electricity grid, which our faculty is helping to make completely sustainable and future-proof. At the same time, we are developing the chips and sensors of the future, whilst also setting the foundations for the software technologies to run on this new generation of equipment – which of course includes AI. Meanwhile we are pushing the limits of applied mathematics, for example mapping out disease processes using single cell data, and using mathematics to simulate gigantic ash plumes after a volcanic eruption. In other words: there is plenty of room at the faculty for ground-breaking research. We educate innovative engineers and have excellent labs and facilities that underline our strong international position. In total, more than 1000 employees and 4,000 students work and study in this innovative environment.
Click here to go to the website of the Faculty of Electrical Engineering, Mathematics and Computer Science.
Conditions of employment
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 € 2901 per month in the first year to € 3707 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.
Will you need to relocate to the Netherlands for this job? TU Delft is committed to make your move as smooth as possible! The HR unit, Coming to Delft Service, offers information on their website to help you prepare your relocation. In addition, Coming to Delft Service organises events to help you settle in the Netherlands, and expand your (social) network in Delft. A Dual Career Programme is available, to support your accompanying partner with their job search in the Netherlands.
Additional information
If you would like more information about this vacancy or the selection procedure, please contact Huijuan Wang, Associate Professor in the Multimedia Computing Group, via h.wang@tudelft.nl
Application procedure
Are you interested in this vacancy? Please apply no later than 31 August 2025 via the application button and upload the following documents:
- A two-page motivation letter, explaining why you would like to work with us, your research interest, and experience related to the research field;
- Degree transcripts;
- An up-to-date CV;
- The names and contact information of at least three relevant references. We will not contact references without your consent.
You can address your application to Huijuan Wang, Associate Professor in the Multimedia Computing Group.
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.
Please note:
- You can apply online. We will not process applications sent by email and/or post.
- A pre-employment screening can be part of the selection procedure.
- For the final candidates, a knowledge security check will be part of the application procedure. For more information on this check, please consult Chapter 8 of the National Knowledge Security Guidelines. We carry out this check on the basis of legitimate interest.
- Please do not contact us for unsolicited services.