PhD Position in Physical Modelling of Backward Erosion Piping

Challenge: Predicting how backward erosion piping develops beneath dikes.

Change: Using physical models to reveal pipe progression and meandering.

Impact: Improving dike safety and enabling more reliable flood protection.

Job description

The Netherlands relies heavily on its dikes for flood protection. However, current models cannot fully predict how dikes may fail when seepage flows erode the sand beneath them. This process is known as backward erosion piping (BEP). The NWO-funded Digital Dikes project aims to improve these predictions by developing advanced digital models that combine monitoring data with probabilistic assessments of pipe progression and its severity. The resulting open-source platform will support more accurate risk assessments and targeted dike reinforcement. Its capabilities will be tested through real-world case studies, co-designed with industry, government and international partners.

In this PhD position you will push the boundaries of experimental BEP modelling by developing new experimental setups, incorporating novel measurement techniques, and exploring mechanisms that remain only marginally understood, such as the 3D meandering behaviour of pipe networks. You will study the driving interactions at the grain-scale and investigate the influence of a non-uniform blanket layer in the propagation stage of BEP. You will also analyse 3D patterns of BEP in a small setup using image analysis and spatial statistics. Your findings will contribute to a better understanding of pipe progression and provide insights that can support the development of improved predictive models.

Your home base will be the Geoscience and Engineering (GSE) department at TU Delft's Faculty of Civil Engineering and Geosciences. The project will be carried out jointly between TU Delft and Deltares and is part of the NWO-funded Digital Dikes consortium. Led by the University of Twente, the consortium brings together Utrecht University, Eindhoven University of Technology, the University of Bologna, Deltares and TU Delft. It is supported by water authorities, Rijkswaterstaat, STOWA, the Dutch Flood Protection Programme and international organisations.

Working in a rich multi-institutional research environment, you will also benefit from opportunities for secondments and short visits to partners in the Digital Dikes network, e.g., Waterschap Drents Overijsselse Delta, Waterschap Hollandse Delta, Fugro, University of Sheffield, and a close collaboration with the PhD project on a fully-resolved simulation of BEP (supervised by University of Twente and University of Lyon). Moreover, the project involves a wide range of training activities, workshops, dedicated sessions at international meetings, to foster scientific and transferable skills for the Jobs of Tomorrow.

Job requirements

You are a motivated graduate looking to apply your skills and curiosity to improve the reliability and resilience of flood protection structures. With your pioneering mindset and communicative nature, you thrive in complex multidisciplinary teams and have an interest in connecting field data and observations with the lab.

We are looking for a highly motivated candidate with:

• A Master’s degree in Civil Engineering, Hydraulic Engineering, Geotechnical Engineering, Soil Mechanics or a closely related field.
• Strong interest in experimental research and physical modelling.
• Programming skills (such as Python and MATLAB) and keen interest in using them in image analysis and data processing.
• Affinity with granular materials, fluid–soil interaction, or soil erosion processes.
• Experience with laboratory work, imaging techniques, or particle-scale measurements (preferred, not required).
• Strong scientific writing skills, with the ability to document experimental work clearly and translate findings into high-quality scientific publications.
• Good communication skills and the ability to work in a multidisciplinary environment, learning and communicating with the project stakeholders.
• Proficiency in English (spoken and written).

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 €3059 - €3881 gross per month, from the first year to the fourth year based on a fulltime contract (38 hours), plus 8% holiday allowance and an end-of-year bonus of 8.3%.  

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

For more information about this vacancy, please contact Dr. M. Cabrera, TU Delf, M.A.Cabrera@tudelft.nl or Dr. V. van Beek, Deltares, vera.vanbeek@deltares.nl

Application procedure

Are you interested in this vacancy? Please apply no later than 29 November 2026 via the application button and upload the following documents:

• A motivation letter (max 2 pages).
• Your CV.
• Academic transcripts (BSc and MSc).

You can address your application to Dr. M. Cabrera.

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. 

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