Postdoc Sustainable and Circular Technical Solutions Related to the Renewal and Replacement of Aging Multi-Material Quay Walls

Quay walls are essential components of the canal systems of Amsterdam as well as any other Dutch city. Several quay walls have deteriorated due to low maintenance and the increased applied loads they must resist. Maintaining the cultural heritage and at the same time preparing them for the future is a huge challenge. Renewal and/or replacement measurements while in parallel adopt sustainable and circular structural solutions following the EU green transition principals, is a promising way to cope with this challenge. The main objectives of this research program are to:

• Develop technical solutions for the renewal and/or replacement of aging quay walls focusing on rapid execution, and possible reuse, accomplishing principles of circular and modular construction.
• Use structural components of high-performance and recyclable materials to reduce resource consumption, transportation and execution costs, material footprint, minimize the execution time and public nuisances (e.g. vibration & and noise-free) while ensuring that they provide sufficient strength and serviceability performance.
• Increase the level of prefabrication to minimize the amount of waste, to achieve fast execution, and to avoid/minimize any disruptions to the public’s normal activities (e.g., congestion of the road traffic, displacing houseboats).
• Propose structural solutions for possible installations (openings) through and behind the quay walls.
• Propose maintenance techniques (e.g. new types of paints for improved durability and reduction of CO2 equivalent emission) that minimize the cost and contribute to the life extension of the quay walls.
• Test multifunctional quay wall prototypes on structural integrity within the interdisciplinarity Multifunctional Urban Waterfronts project coordinated by the AMS institute.

This research project will be executed at TU Delft, within the Steel and Composite Structures section in the Department of Engineering Structures, under the supervision of Dr. Florentia Kavoura and Prof. Milan Veljkovic from the Faculty of Civil Engineering and Geosciences. The researcher will also be supervised by academic staff from the Applied Mechanics and Biobased Structures and Materials Sections at TU Delft. Collaboration with other disciplines will take place through a research through design process led by the University of Wageningen, the AMS Institute, and structural engineers as part of the Multifunctional Urban Waterfronts project.

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 dynamics of structures, mechanics of materials related to e.g. climate change, modelling and design of railway systems, multi-scale modelling of pavement materials and structures, reuse of materials, structures and parts of structures, assessment methods for structures, smart monitoring techniques, design methods, replacement and renovation of civil infrastructure and development of new materials and maintenance techniques. Our unique Macro Mechanics Laboratory facilities support full-scale testing, monitoring and modelling of structures to facilitate implementation of innovations. 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.

Our ideal postdoc candidate has a clear ambition toward a sustainable future for the built environment. You are expected to have technical skills and a broad knowledge of Engineering. More specifically, you are required to have:

• A PhD degree in a field relevant to the. research, i.e., Civil Engineering and Structural Engineering
• Knowledge of finite element modeling focused on Civil/Structural Engineering applications.
• Experimental research.
• Knowledge of the design of composite (multi-material) structures.
• Programming skills.
• Excellent communication skills in English, both written and oral.
• Ability to interact and carry out research with close collaboration with partners from the industry and stakeholders.
• Ability to work both in interdisciplinary teams, but also independently and take leadership and responsibility for research tasks.

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 information about the application procedure, please contact Dr. Florentia Kavoura ([email protected] ).  

Are you interested in this vacancy? Please apply before 25 April 2024 via the application button and upload:

• CV;
• cover/motivation letter explaining your interest and your qualifications for this position, a proposal on how you would approach the described problem and how your skills match the requirements;
• MSc + PhD degree;
• 300 words abstract of your MSc and PhD thesis;
• publication list;
• two selected publications;
• proof of English language proficiency (TOEFL, IELTS or Cambridge);
• contact details of two persons who can provide references.

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.

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.