Assistant Professor of Geotechnical Uncertainty

1 Mar 2024
Job Information

Organisation/Company

Delft University of Technology (TU Delft)

Research Field

Technology

Researcher Profile

Leading Researcher (R4)
Established Researcher (R3)

Country

Netherlands

Application Deadline

15 Apr 2024 - 21:59 (UTC)

Type of Contract

Temporary

Job Status

Not Applicable

Hours Per Week

40.0

Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme?

Not funded by an EU programme

Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure?

No

Offer Description

There is an increasing need to quantify the performance of geotechnical structures and infrastructures within a reliability-based framework, so that risks can be explicitly quantified for guiding effective mitigation measures. Of fundamental importance is the need to understand uncertainties and their impacts at the soil mechanical behaviour level and at the geotechnical site level, as an essential precursor to reducing the uncertainty in soil mechanical response as well as to understanding uncertainty propagation to the structure level.

In your role as Assistant Professor of Geotechnical Uncertainty, you will investigate soil mechanical material behaviour and geotechnical structure response accounting for uncertainties relating to, for example, data, measurements, statistics, transformation from measured data to derived properties, and external (including environmental) loadings. The position takes into consideration the random, spatial and systematic components of uncertainty, as well as uncertainties relating to the cross-correlations of material properties, and develops new solutions to better control and reduce the geotechnical uncertainty and risk in geotechnical assessments and construction processes. The successful applicant will be encouraged to develop collaborations within the department and faculty (e.g. with Resource Engineering, Applied Geology, Geophysics and Hydraulic Engineering). We also expect you to develop close working relations with the Dutch Geotechnical Industry; therefore, speaking Dutch, or the willingness to learn Dutch within the first two years of your appointment, is essential.

The key job responsibilities of the successful candidate include:

Education: Organizing, initiating and contributing to the development and teaching of graduate courses in our new master track of Geotechnical Engineering, within the new MSc programme of Civil Engineering. Supervising BSc and MSc students, preparing and assessing assignments and exam papers.

Valorisation: Initiating and contributing to new research projects. We encourage proactive engagement with both government and private partners for increased societal impact.

Research: Contributing to delivering high quality, internationally leading research related to Geotechnical Engineering.

Organisation: Contributing to organizational / administrative activities and committees specifically related to education within the Department of Geo-science & Engineering and the Faculty of Civil Engineering and Geosciences.

You will join the Section of Geo-Engineering in the Department of Geosciences and Engineering. The section has 12 full-time and 6 part-time academic staff, and around 40 PhD and post-doctoral researchers. Areas of expertise include soil mechanics, dykes and embankments, foundation engineering, underground space technology, engineering geology, and geo-environmental engineering. There are extensive experimental laboratory facilities, including large-scale soil-structure interaction testing facilities and a geotechnical centrifuge. The section has close links with the onshore and offshore industries, with governmental organisations, and with the Dutch research institute Deltares.

The Department of Geoscience and Engineering encompasses 5 sections: Applied Geology, Applied Geophysics and Petrophysics, Geo-Engineering, Resource Engineering, and Reservoir Engineering. Within the department there is considerable scope and encouragement for inter-disciplinary research.

Requirements
Specific Requirements

If you have:

• a PhD in Geotechnical Engineering or another related discipline, with a strong expertise in soil mechanics and numerical and statistical methods;
• a proven affinity with academic teaching in a variety of settings;
• a good understanding of the higher education environment, including diversity and inclusion values;
• the ability to deliver high quality research and evidence to prove this;
• the capacity to communicate effectively with peers, students and stakeholders;
• an interest in pioneering and exploring new paths and are excited to initiate, acquire, execute and coordinate research projects;
• the potential to become a real team builder and have good communication skills in English,

we look forward to receiving your application!

Are you interested in this position, but feel you have acquired more experience and advanced further in your academic career? Please mention this in your application letter, as in specific cases we may consider an Associate Professor position.

Additional Information
Benefits

This position is offered as an Academic Career Track position (0.8 – 1.0 FTE). During the Academic Career Track, we expect you to grow towards an Associate Professor position within a maximum of eight years, for which a position will be available. With other Academic Career Track colleagues, you will participate in the Academic Career Track Development programme, where you are offered ample opportunities to develop yourself in the areas of Education, Research, Societal Impact & Innovation, and Leadership & Organisation. You will regularly discuss your development and results with senior staff based on a personalized development plan and performance criteria agreed upon at the start of your Academic Career Track. You will start with a temporary contract that will be converted to a permanent contract no later than 12 -18 months after a positive evaluation, based on continuous confidence in your development potential and fit in the organisation.

Inspiring, excellent education is our central aim. We expect you to obtain a University Teaching Qualification (UTQ) within three years if you have less than five years of teaching experience. This is provided by the TU Delft UTQ programme as part of the Academic Career Track Development programme.

TU Delft sets high standards for the English competency of the teaching staff. The TU Delft offers training to improve English competency. If you do not speak Dutch, we offer courses to learn the Dutch language within three years.

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 and you can work partly from home.

For international applicants, TU Delft has the Coming to Delft Service . This service addresses the needs of new international employees and those of their partners and families. The Coming to Delft Service offers personalised assistance during the preparation of the relocation, finding housing and schools for children (if applicable). In addition, a Dual Career Programme for partners is offered. The Coming to Delft Service will do their best to help you settle in the Netherlands.

Selection process

Are you interested in this vacancy? Please apply before 15 April 2024 via the application button and upload your:

• letter of motivation explaining your scientific drive,
• research statement (maximum 1,5 A4) with your vision on future research directions and it’s societal relevance,
• teaching statement (maximum 1,5 A4) with your vision on teaching and development needs for the future,
• detailed CV,
• contact information of two persons who can provide references,
• publication list,
• PhD thesis,
• and two selected publications.

We are likely to plan the on-site interview in the 2nd half of May.

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.
• Please do not contact us for unsolicited services.

Additional comments

For more information about this vacancy, please contact Prof.dr. M.A. Hicks, head of the Section of Geo-Engineering, e-mail: [email protected] .

Website for additional job details

https://www.academictransfer.com/338452/

Work Location(s)

Number of offers available

1

Company/Institute

Delft University of Technology

Country

Netherlands

City

Delft

Postal Code

2628 CD

Street

Mekelweg 2

Geofield

Where to apply

Website

https://www.academictransfer.com/en/338452/assistant-professor-of-geotechnical-…

Contact

City

Delft

Website

http://www.tudelft.nl/

Street

Mekelweg 2

Postal Code

2628 CD

STATUS: EXPIRED