PhD position (0.8 -1.0 FTE) - Cleaning the Ganges: River basin understanding of the Hindon subcatchment

PhD position (0.8 -1.0 FTE) - Cleaning the Ganges: River basin understanding of the Hindon subcatchment

Job description This PhD position is part of the research project Changing the fate of the Hindon river by evaluating the impact of agriculture on the water balance - Developing a template for a cleaner Ganga river, financed by the Dutch Research Council NWO. The project is a collaboration between two Dutch universities (Utrecht University and Wageningen University and Research), Deltares institute for applied water and subsurface research, and several Indian institutes. It aims at providing scientific understanding on the hydrological functioning of, and the impact of agricultural watermanagement on, the Hindon subbasin of the Ganges river. One PhD at Utrecht University will work on integrated water systems analysis to understand the spatio-temporal relations between surface water and groundwater quantity and quality. Another PhD at Wageningen University will work on interventions to improve agricultural water management. The results from these subprojects will be integrated in a comprehensive modelling platform, enabling evaluation of the impact of future socio-economy and climate changes, that serves as the scientific basis for stakeholder discussions on sustainable future water management and agricultural practices.
Qualifications At Utrecht University we are looking for a motivated PhD candidate interested in the geohydrological functioning of groundwater and surface water in the Hindon subcatchment of the Ganges river (India). It will be your role to:

• understand how, under natural and current conditions, the climate, and surface and subsurface characteristics steered spatio-temporal patterns of surface water and groundwater quantity and quality, as well as their mutual interactions;
• understand how (recent) climate change and historical human interventions (notably by agriculture) affected these spatio-temporal patterns in water availability and quality, as well as their mutual interactions;
• set up, in cooperation with our Indian partners, a monitoring network to assess the state of the present (and future) groundwater and surface water system;
• construct and run surface water and especially groundwater models to simulate past, present and future states of the hydrological system under scenarios of climate change, interventions in agricultural water management (e.g. water lean crops), and water management measures (e.g. Rain Water Harvesting);
• assess the potential to enhance water availability, through Managed Aquifer Recharge and other measures, for increased groundwater storage, improved groundwater quality and improved groundwater contribution to river ecology, based on model runs and where possible field experiments.

Requirements:

• You have a Master's degree in hydrological sciences, environmental sciences, physical geography with knowledge of hydrology, or a closely related field.
• You have a strong affinity with monitoring and numerical modelling as well as the ability to apply hydrological system analysis thinking.
• You are capable of undertaking fieldwork in at times challenging circumstances.
• You are communicative, able to work in a multi-cultural team of scientists and able to demonstrate English language proficiency.

Offer

You will be offered a full-time PhD position, initially for one year with an extension to four years in total upon a successful assessment in the first year, and with the specific intent that it results in a doctorate within this period. The gross salary starts with €2,443 per month in the first year and increases to €3,122 per month in the fourth year of employment (scale P according to the Collective Employment Agreement of the Dutch Universities) for a full-time employment.
Besides that, you will receive a holiday bonus of 8% and a year-end bonus of 8.3%. In addition, Utrecht University offers excellent secondary conditions, including an attractive retirement scheme, (partly paid) parental leave and flexible employment conditions  (multiple choice model). More information about working at Utrecht University can be found here .

About the organization A better future for everyone. This ambition motivates our scientists in executing their leading research and inspiring teaching. At Utrecht University , the various disciplines collaborate intensively towards major societal themes. Our focus is on Dynamics of Youth, Institutions for Open Societies, Life Sciences and Sustainability.
Utrecht University's Faculty of Geosciences studies the Earth: from the Earth's core to its surface, including man's spatial and material utilisation of the Earth - always with a focus on sustainability and innovation. With 3,400 students (BSc and MSc) and 720 staff, the Faculty is a strong and challenging organisation. The Faculty of Geosciences is organised in four Departments: Earth Sciences, Human Geography & Spatial Planning, Physical Geography, and Sustainable Development.

The PhD project will be performed at the Copernicus Institute. Our research is organized around three cross-topical themes and five sustainability challenges. The water related research at Copernicus Institute addresses how land use and climate change affect hydrological cycling, water availability, flood risks and water quality at various scales. Knowledge on physical, chemical and biological ecosystem services is integrated with knowledge on socio-economic and governance strategies for the sustainable management of water resources and biodiversity conservation amongst others. The PhD candidate will work closely together with the PhD candidate at Wageningen University and Research and project partners at Deltares as well as those at Indian institutes. 

Additional information

Additional information about the vacancy can be obtained from Dr. Paul Schot (Associate Professor), via [email protected].

Apply

Everyone deserves to feel at home at our university. We welcome employees with a wide variety of backgrounds and perspectives.
To apply, please send your curriculum vitae, including a letter of motivation via the ‘apply’ button below.

The application deadline is 21/02/2022