PhD Position Probabilistic Modelling and Reliability Assessment of Ship-induced Waves
Help shape the future of waterway safety! Join a PhD project tackling ship-wave impacts on embankments and structures through cutting-edge research and collaboration across Europe.
Function Description
The shipping fleet has presented a fast development during the last decades, which is expected to continue in the future. This evolution has already led to an increase in the severity of the damage on riverine structures and embankment erosion, as well as a reduction in the safety of the navigation in waterways. Thus, these ship-induced loads can limit the potential use of waterways with significant economical loses and produce environmental damages in the area around them. Better understanding the generation of ship-waves and their impact on hydraulic structures and natural embankments is critical to guarantee the safety of navigation in waterways in the future.
This PhD position offers a unique opportunity to contribute to cutting-edge research in hydraulic structures and waterways safety, and probabilistic modeling. In this project, you will work on better characterizing the most relevant factors and uncertainty in the generation of ship-induced waves in waterways, and embedding the generated knowledge in the management and safety assessments of hydraulic structures and (natural) embankments. To do so, the PhD candidate will work close to practitioners and join a consortium integrated by a knowledge institution, Delft University of Technology; a public national organization, Rijkswaterstaat; an international organization, BAW (Germany); and two private partners, HKV lijn in water B.V. and Deltares. Therefore, this position offers rich opportunities to expand your academic and industrial networks.
You will join the department of Hydraulic Engineering at the Faculty of Civil Engineering, and Geosciences of TU Delft as a full-time (1 fte) PhD candidate. We offer a rich international research environment with access to industrial networks to ensure your research contributes to practice while having academic impact.
Function requirements
As a successful applicant, you hold a MSc degree in a relevant field (civil engineering, hydraulic engineering, mechanical engineering, applied mathematics or similar). Ideally, you are already familiar with the topics of (ship-induced) waves, riverbank erosion, reliability assessment of hydraulic structures and/or probabilistic analysis and have some programming experience (i.e. python).
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 Civil Engineering and Geosciences
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.
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 Patricia Mares Nasarre, via P.MaresNasarre@tudelft.nl.
Application procedure
Are you passionate about scientific research and real word applications where waterborne transportation and hydraulics meet? Do you have or want to develop a strong background in reliability, probabilistic analysis and hydraulics? Then please get in touch with us and share your vision for the project and how your skills could contribute to the research. Please apply no later than 23 June 2025 via the application button and upload the following documents:
- CV
- Motivational letter
Please combine all these documents in one pdf file and highlight in your motivation letter and/or CV examples in which you demonstrate your related analytical skills required by the project.You can address your application to Patricia Mares Nasarre.
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.