Postdoc Salinity Exchange through Shipping Locks

Are you searching for a postdoc position and motivated to unravel the complex flow dynamics in shipping locks to warrant fresh water availability in the future?    

Fresh water is vital for drinking water, nature, agriculture and industry. However, the availability of freshwater is under pressure in deltas throughout the world. Salty seawater is penetrating further up the rivers due to human intervention, such as the deepening of waterways, as equally climate change. Within SALTISolutions, the researchers, together with the partners involved such as Rijkswaterstaat, water boards, port authorities and dredging companies, will produce a virtual model (digital twin) of the Rhine-Meuse Delta. This model will integrate knowledge about processes on various spatial and time scales: from turbulent flows at the smallest scale level to the consequences of climate change in the long-term. They will use this to predict how, where, when, and how long salt from seawater will penetrate, and how measures such as implementing nature-based solutions influence the freshwater supply. These insights will be tested worldwide, as a result of which the position of Dutch delta technology will be further strengthened.

In one of the work packages the exchange of salinity through shipping locks is studied. Numerical modelling is appplied to simulate lock operations and the simultaneous occurrence of salt exchange. Once validated, this model will be used to optimize lock operations, with respect to salinity exchange, and to aid in the design of future locks. As modelling tool a finite element based Navier-Stokes solver is adopted which uses a Hybridized Discontinuous Galerkin (HDG) method. Importantly, the model incorporates moving free surfaces (using an ALE approach) allowing the computation of free-surface waves, and filling/emptying of lock chambers. New aspects that need to be addressed are the inclusion of moving parts (such as valves, gates and doors) for manipulating flow and transport within and around the lock. A start has been made by validating the model with laboratory data. As a next step, a challenging field case will be considered (IJmuiden locks) after which various options for operational optimization of locking cyles will be explored. Finally, the model will be used to derive parameterizations for including (small-scale) lock exchange processes in (large-scale) regional water quality modelling (such as Delft3D).      

The candidate needs to have:

• Profound knowledge of the physics and mathematics of environmental fluid flows and the associated transport and mixing processes (turbulence);
• Creativity in conceptualizing and modelling complex problems;
• Proven competence in programming and computing;
• Good writing and public communication skills.

In addition, candidates are favoured who:

• Have a critical yet positive attitude to other and - in particular - one’s own results;
• Have an open mind towards collaboration with other technical, biological and geophysical disciplines related to salt intrusion;
• Are motivated to contribute to designing responsible measures in adaptation to climate change. 

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.

For international applicants, TU Delft has the Coming to Delft Service . This service provides information for new international employees to help you prepare the relocation and to settle in the Netherlands. The Coming to Delft Service offers a Dual Career Programme  for partners and they organise events to expand your (social) network.

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!

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.

For more information about this vacancy, please contact Robert Jan Labeur, e-mail: [email protected] .    

 For information about the application procedure, please contact M. Scheers – van der Horst, e-mail: [email protected] .

Are you interested in this vacancy? Please apply no later than 3 March 2024 via the application button and upload your motivation and CV.

• 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.