PhD Position Integrating Computational Modelling and Remote Sensing to Assess Bridges and Quay Walls Conditions

Challenge: Assess conditions of ageing infrastructure.

Change: Use computational modelling and remote sensing.

Impact: Innovation in infrastructure management.

All over the world infrastructure like bridges and quay-walls are crumbling under the impact of climate change and structural ageing mechanisms. As time and funding are not sufficient for all required in-situ inspections and retrofitting, there is an increasingly urgent need for reliable and cost-effective tools to support decisions on maintenance and prioritisation.

Recent developments in satellite monitoring technology have shown enourmous potential in detecting infrastructure deformations, which are often connected to early signs of structural distress. However, little can be learned about the vulnerability of individual assets without coupling this data with knowledge about their structural response.

In this PhD you will use computational modelling of structures to create new satellite-based estimation of damage for representative infrastructure typologies, to acquire new fundamental understanding of infrastructure resilience mechanisms and to provide new prioritisation tools for infrastructure decision makers. The project will be conducted in close collaboration with research istitutions, industrial stakeholders and governamental organisations. 

To be considered for the position you will have:

• A Master’s degree in a relevant field, i.e. Civil Engineering, Structural or Geotechnical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering;
• A background in computational modelling of structures and/or soil-structure interaction;
• Experience in Structural Health Monitoring and coding will be a plus.

Doing a PhD at TU Delft requires English proficiency at a certain level to ensure that the candidate is able to communicate and interact well, participate in English-taught Doctoral Education courses, and write scientific articles and a final thesis. For more details please check the Graduate Schools Admission Requirements .

Doctoral candidates will be offered a 4-year period of employment in principle, but in the form of 2 employment contracts. An initial 1,5 year contract with an official go/no go progress assessment within 15 months. Followed by an additional contract for the remaining 2,5 years assuming everything goes well and performance requirements are met.

Salary and benefits are in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities, increasing from € 2541 per month in the first year to € 3247 in the fourth year. As a PhD candidate you will be enrolled in the TU Delft Graduate School. The TU Delft Graduate School provides an inspiring research environment with an excellent team of supervisors, academic staff and a mentor. The Doctoral Education Programme is aimed at developing your transferable, discipline-related and research skills.

The TU Delft offers a customisable compensation package, discounts on health insurance and sport memberships, and a monthly work costs contribution. Flexible work schedules can be arranged. For international applicants we offer the Coming to Delft Service and Partner Career Advice to assist you with your relocation.

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 depletion, urbanisation and the availability of clean water, conducted  in close cooperation with a wide range of research institutions. CEG is convinced that Open Science helps to achieve our goals 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 Dr. Giorgia Giardina, Associate Professor, email: [email protected] .

To apply, please add the following documents to your application:

• Motivation letter explaining your interest in the position, why you are a good candidate and your future career goals (max 1 A4 page).
• Curriculum Vitae (CV).
• A complete list of Master’s courses including grades and grading system.
• Contact details of 2 references.
• Proof of academic writing skills by link to MSc thesis, or research paper.

Are you interested in this vacancy? Please apply before 15 December 2022 via the application button and upload your motivation and CV. First interviews are being held between the 9th and the 13th of January 2023. 

• 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.
• Acquisition in response to this vacancy is not appreciated.

Challenge: Assess conditions of ageing infrastructure.

Change: Use computational modelling and remote sensing.

Impact: Innovation in infrastructure management.

All over the world infrastructure like bridges and quay-walls are crumbling under the impact of climate change and structural ageing mechanisms. As time and funding are not sufficient for all required in-situ inspections and retrofitting, there is an increasingly urgent need for reliable and cost-effective tools to support decisions on maintenance and prioritisation.

Recent developments in satellite monitoring technology have shown enourmous potential in detecting infrastructure deformations, which are often connected to early signs of structural distress. However, little can be learned about the vulnerability of individual assets without coupling this data with knowledge about their structural response.

In this PhD you will use computational modelling of structures to create new satellite-based estimation of damage for representative infrastructure typologies, to acquire new fundamental understanding of infrastructure resilience mechanisms and to provide new prioritisation tools for infrastructure decision makers. The project will be conducted in close collaboration with research istitutions, industrial stakeholders and governamental organisations. 

To be considered for the position you will have:

• A Master’s degree in a relevant field, i.e. Civil Engineering, Structural or Geotechnical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering;
• A background in computational modelling of structures and/or soil-structure interaction;
• Experience in Structural Health Monitoring and coding will be a plus.

Doing a PhD at TU Delft requires English proficiency at a certain level to ensure that the candidate is able to communicate and interact well, participate in English-taught Doctoral Education courses, and write scientific articles and a final thesis. For more details please check the Graduate Schools Admission Requirements .

Doctoral candidates will be offered a 4-year period of employment in principle, but in the form of 2 employment contracts. An initial 1,5 year contract with an official go/no go progress assessment within 15 months. Followed by an additional contract for the remaining 2,5 years assuming everything goes well and performance requirements are met.

Salary and benefits are in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities, increasing from € 2541 per month in the first year to € 3247 in the fourth year. As a PhD candidate you will be enrolled in the TU Delft Graduate School. The TU Delft Graduate School provides an inspiring research environment with an excellent team of supervisors, academic staff and a mentor. The Doctoral Education Programme is aimed at developing your transferable, discipline-related and research skills.

The TU Delft offers a customisable compensation package, discounts on health insurance and sport memberships, and a monthly work costs contribution. Flexible work schedules can be arranged. For international applicants we offer the Coming to Delft Service and Partner Career Advice to assist you with your relocation.

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 depletion, urbanisation and the availability of clean water, conducted  in close cooperation with a wide range of research institutions. CEG is convinced that Open Science helps to achieve our goals 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 Dr. Giorgia Giardina, Associate Professor, email: [email protected] .

To apply, please add the following documents to your application:

• Motivation letter explaining your interest in the position, why you are a good candidate and your future career goals (max 1 A4 page).
• Curriculum Vitae (CV).
• A complete list of Master’s courses including grades and grading system.
• Contact details of 2 references.
• Proof of academic writing skills by link to MSc thesis, or research paper.

Are you interested in this vacancy? Please apply before 15 December 2022 via the application button and upload your motivation and CV. First interviews are being held between the 9th and the 13th of January 2023. 

• 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.
• Acquisition in response to this vacancy is not appreciated.