Postdoc Remote Sensing of Flooding and Open Water

We are looking for someone to support the activities within the projects Kennisnetwerk Water and ZAMSECUR II. Both projects concern remote sensing of flooding and open water.

Job description

Within the KNW and ZAMSECUR projects, we are looking for a post-doctoral researcher to develop operational and advanced methods for the mapping of open water and flooding. In addition to scientific innovation, the successful candidate will also be involved in the organisation of workshops, and interaction with stakeholders in the Netherlands and Zambia. You will work in an interdisciplinary team of experts with African and Dutch partners. Travel to Africa and within Europe is likely to be part of the project activities.

About ZAMSECUR II: Africa is grossly underserved in terms of monitoring of water resources. Unfortunately, African livelihoods depend very directly on information concerning water availability. Hydropower reservoirs often need to spill unexpectedly when torrential rains cause sudden inflows. These spills often lead to loss of live downstream. Timely warnings about floods and droughts also depend on information on river flows and water storage. In the ZAMSECUR project, very accurate and cost effective ways were designed and tested to measure water stocks and flows within the African context. This position will focus on the application of remotes sensing.

About Kennisnetwerk Water (KNW): KNW is a project sponsored by the Netherlands Space Office to co-develop new space-based technologies for water managers in the Netherlands for water quality, drought, and floods. This position focuses on floods. The ambition is to look for technologies with low TRL levels concern such as the use of synthetic aperture cubesat altimeters, high resolution (temporal and spatial) gravity missions, and follow-up mission for the present SWOT mission. Also passive microwave sensors are a possible way forward for improved flood mapping and state estimation. Also hydraulic modelling, including parameterization, can be used to support flood forecasting, flood relief, and restoration. 

You will be hosted by the Water Resources Section in the Faculty of Civil Engineering and Geosciences at TU Delft. As part of our diverse and dedicated team of professors, lecturers, PhD and postdoc researchers, you will have the opportunity to work closely with leading experts and industry partners at the national and international level. Here, you will receive all the support and coaching you need to develop your further your career.
 

Job requirements

You thrive on taking the lead in interdisciplinary, applied research, and harness the potential of remote sensing towards flood preventioan. You also know how to organise and manage your research project. To inspire and convince partners and other stakeholders, you put your communication skills to good use. And you embrace collaboration and teamwork to achieve meaningful results, for which you will be accountable.

You also have:
•    PhD in relevant field, such as Geodesy, Remote Sensing, Environmental Engineering, or Civil Engineering.
•    Experience with scientific reporting, organization of workshops and/or meetings.
•    Strong analytical thinking and affinity with science and scientific thinking. 
•    GIS and remote sensing skills, preferably with SAR for flooding and/or open water.

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

• Duration of contract is 34 months.
• A job of 32-38 hours per week. 

Salary and benefits are in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities. 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 Nick van de Giesen, via n.c.vandegiesen@tudelft.nl.

Application procedure

Are you interested in this vacancy? Please apply no later than 30 June 2025 via the application button and upload the following documents:

• CV
• Motivational letter

You can address your application to Nick van de Giesen.

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.