Postdoc Best Available Technology in Deep-Seabed Mining

Interested in working with science and engineering partners on researching how we can better assess and mitigate risks associated with deep-sea mining technology?

Job description 

We are looking for a highly motivated postdoctoral fellow to join a research team exploring the technical and environmental performance of deep-sea mining concepts. You will be part of the team working with dr.Rudy Helmons (dredging, marine minerals) and dr. Austin Kana (design methodology, complex systems), where you will work on the development of an assessment framework to identify Best Available Technology (BAT).

As technology matures, leaving the concept development stage and entering the pilot testing stage, highlighting the needs for standards and guielines to facilitate assessment of what is the Best Available Technology. Within this project, we will develop a framework to assess BAT at a practica level, with an emphasis on the technology analysis. Facilitating qualitative and, where possible, quantitative comparison of technologies will aid in defining what technology has the potential to become BAT. The suitability of the framework will be tested according to case studies  for various technology concepts for the exploitation of polymetallic nodules and seafloor massive sulphide deposits. The postdoc will have a close collaboration with project partners from especially from Royal Netherlands Institute for Sea Research (NIOZ) and Norwegian University for Science and Technology (NTNU). Furthermore, together with the TU Delft and NTNU team, we expect to bring the engineering perspective to the entire MiningImpact3 project

MiningImpact is an international research project studying the environmental impacts of future deep-sea mining, focusing on polymetallic nodule fields in the Pacific and seafloor massive sulfides in the Atlantic. The third phase examines changes in environmental variables, biodiversity, and ecosystem functions over space and time, including the long-term effects of test-mining conducted in 2021. Dutch researchers from the Royal Netherlands Institute for Sea Research, Utrecht University, Naturalis, and TU Delft contribute by studying biodiversity, plume dispersal, food-web changes, restoration options, and governance frameworks. The findings will support regulations and management tools for deep-sea mining. Public engagement through exhibitions and science-art collaborations ensures transparency on environmental risks and knowledge gaps.

Job requirements 

We seek an enthusiastic, independent, and energetic candidate who has a keen interest in offshore, dredging or (marine) mining applications to study the best options for robust, reliable deep-sea mining systems, and how to encourage industry to use and develop equipment with the least negative impacts for potential future deep-sea mining.

You are a team player, with:

• A PhD degree in mechanical engineering, maritime/ocean engineering, civil engineering, mining engineering or a closely related field.
• A solid background in fluid mechanics, offshore applications and/or systems design.
• Experience with (design of) complex coupled systems, preferably in the maritime/offshore environment.
• An open, communicative, and collaborative attitude.
• Strong communication skills and the ability to work effectively in a multidisciplinary setting.

We want to be a transparent institute with a healthy working climate and an inclusive culture, where people from diverse backgrounds and gender bring their talents and further develop these talents. We aim for inclusive decision-making processes and expect our leadership to show visible commitment, awareness of bias, and cultural intelligence.

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 Mechanical Engineering

From chip to ship. From machine to human being. From idea to solution. Driven by a deep-rooted desire to understand our environment and discover its underlying mechanisms, research and education at the ME faculty focusses on fundamental understanding, design, production including application and product improvement, materials, processes and (mechanical) systems.

ME is a dynamic and innovative faculty with high-tech lab facilities and international reach. It’s a large faculty but also versatile, so we can often make unique connections by combining different disciplines. This is reflected in ME’s outstanding, state-of-the-art education, which trains students to become responsible and socially engaged engineers and scientists. We translate our knowledge and insights into solutions to societal issues, contributing to a sustainable society and to the development of prosperity and well-being. That is what unites us in pioneering research, inspiring education and (inter)national cooperation.

Click here to go to the website of the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering. Do you want to experience working at our faculty? These videos will introduce you to some of our researchers and their work.

Conditions of employment 

• Duration of contract is 21 Months Temporary
• A job of 36-40 hours per week. 
• Salary and benefits are in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities.
• An excellent pension scheme via the ABP. 
• The possibility to compile an individual employment package every year. 
• Discount with health insurers on supplemental packages. 
• Flexible working week. 
• Every year, 232 leave hours (at 38 hours). You can also sell or buy additional leave hours via the individual choice budget. 
• Plenty of opportunities for education, training and courses. 
• Partially paid parental leave 
• Attention for working healthy and energetically with the vitality program. 

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 Rudy Helmons, r.l.j.helmons@tudelft.nl or Austin Kana, a.a.kana@tudelft.nl.

Application procedure

Are you interested in this vacancy? Please apply no later than 24 November 2025 via the application button and upload the following documents:

• CV
• Motivational letter
• An abstract of your PhD thesis

You can address your application to .

Please note:

• You can apply online. We will not process applications sent by email and/or post. 
• As part of knowledge security, TU Delft conducts a risk assessment during the recruitment of personnel. We do this, among other things, to prevent the unwanted transfer of sensitive knowledge and technology. The assessment is based on information provided by the candidates themselves, such as their motivation letter and CV, and takes place at the final stages of the selection process. When the outcome of the assessment is negative, the candidate will be informed. The processing of personal data in the context of the risk assessment is carried out on the legal basis of the GDPR: performing a public task in the public interest. You can find more information about this assessment on our website about knowledge security.
• Please do not contact us for unsolicited services.