Assistant Professor in Environmental Noise from Civil Engineering Structures

7 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

1 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

Environmental noise pollution as a result of anthropogenic activities is a key topic nowadays, that greatly influences the health and livelihood of human beings and many other species. In particular, the noise generated as a result of construction and operation of civil engineering structures, onshore and offshore, is a major pollutant to the environment. In this context, the understanding of the noise generation mechanisms as well as the effective mitigation of the noise are of paramount importance in order to improve the well-being of species living in the vicinity of noisy anthropogenic activities.

When the interaction of structures with the surrounding media (either solids or fluids) is studied, the focus is placed primarily on the effect the latter have on the structure itself. The noise produced by the structures, either during construction or during operation, is not studied systematically including the whole modelling path from the source to the sensitive receiver and the effects it has on the latter. This vacancy aims to fill this gap, namely, to focus on the sounds that civil engineering structures generate when interacting with the surrounding environment including the propagation of waves at long ranges to create sound maps. Moreover, in this role you would expand research further to the effect of sound on different species. Your unique contribution would be the ability to study the effect of targeted mitigation measures at the source of sound, i.e. the engineered structure, taking into consideration the hearing abilities and specific damage thresholds of the exposed species. This expertise is not covered in the CEG faculty in general and is considered to be a unique attribute of this vacancy which ties well, and is complementary to, the existing expertise of the Dynamics of Solids & Structures (DSS) research group. Your expertise will close the loop of the "modern design" of structures since the design will now be approached more holistically, i.e. not only from the classical civil engineering point of view but also from the viewpoint of the effect that such a structure has on the environment when under construction and/or operation.

Your home base will be the section of DSS at the department of Engineering Structures. You will join our growing team of driven academics, teachers, and PhD students, all sharing the ambition to develop resilient, smart, and sustainable structures and infrastructures (see also https://www.tudelft.nl/citg/eva for research related to this position). Conducting interdisciplinary research, you will collaborate with fellow scientists in other sections and departments (railway, pavement, physics of structures, offshore engineering), as well as with leading industry partners. You will also have access to state of the art facilities. At DSS we foster a collaborative, relaxed and accessible atmosphere. And you will get all the training and support you need to develop your academic career.

The Department of Engineering Structures focuses on the development of resilient, smart and sustainable structures and infrastructures. Our aim is to meet societal demands in transportation, the energy transition and sustainable reuse. Research themes include:

• the mechanics, dynamics and physics of bio-based, concrete, steel and composite structures and materials
• resources and recycling
• pavement engineering and railway engineering

Our unique Macro Mechanics Laboratory facilities support full-scale testing, monitoring and modelling. The department delivers both groundbreaking research and world-class education for undergraduate and graduate students. As a team, we represent different backgrounds, skills and views. We foster an inclusive culture, as our combined identities, attitudes and ambitions widen our perspective and make up our strengths.

Requirements
Specific Requirements

As Assistant Professor in the section of DSS you shall contribute to the following:

Education by actively contributing to the education portfolio of the section, department and faculty at all academic levels (BSc, MSc). Together with colleagues you will develop new approaches to engineering education using the state of the art facilities present at TU Delft. The DSS section is already responsible for teaching several modules related to dynamics of structures, wave mechanics and acoustics. We expect that you will be eager to contribute to the same direction when it comes to teaching.

Research by (i) taking the lead in participating and/or leading research proposals for attracting funding in the field of environmental noise; (ii) executing research projects as a leader; and (iii) helping the department to expand its outreach in the research group of biologists dealing with the effects of sound on humans and other living species.

Organisation by participating in Young Management Team of the department of ES and dealing with organisational matters of the faculty. In your capacity as member of this team, you will be able to actively participate in the organisational matters of the department and the faculty.

Therefore, we aim for an Assistant Professor with the capacities and desire to develop his/her own research programme of international standing. You thrive on conducting interdisciplinary research, combining the technical and biological aspects of sounds, merging fields of expertise, and collaborating with colleagues in industry and academia. You are passionate about teaching and are eager to inspire and interact with talented students and prepare them for the engineering challenges of the future.

You also:

• hold PhD degree in the field of acoustics/vibroacoustics or other related field;
• have experience in developing and/or teaching academic courses on sound and vibrations at a BSc or MSc level;
• have excellent command of the English language;
• preferably speak or be open to learn Dutch at a professional level (B2 Level);
• have some work experience in (international) collaborative research projects (not obligatory but nice to have).

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 1 April 2024 via the application button and upload:

• a detailed CV;
• a short letter of motivation;
• a personal research and teaching statement (max 3 pages);
• contact information of two persons who can provide references;
• your publication list;
• an abstract of your MSc and PhD thesis;
• two selected publications.

If your MSc and PhD diploma and transcript are not in Dutch, English, French or German and you will be the selected candidate, the TU Delft will ask you to deliver a certified translation in case you will be appointed.

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 information about this vacancy, please contact Dr. Apostolos Tsouvalas via [email protected] with Cc to Karel van Dalen, Section Head of DSS, via [email protected] .

Website for additional job details

https://www.academictransfer.com/338689/

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/338689/assistant-professor-in-environmental…

Contact

City

Delft

Website

http://www.tudelft.nl/

Street

Mekelweg 2

Postal Code

2628 CD

STATUS: EXPIRED