PhD Position Mass Transport Modelling from GRACE/GRACE-FO Data

The continued observation of the temporal changes of the Earth's gravity field is essential for understanding mass transport, caused by processes in the oceans and atmosphere, by melting ice caps and glaciers, by large-scale ground water use, among others. Mass transport is an essential climate variable, and its monitoring is required for understanding climate change. It is also crucial for monitoring hydrological processes at global and regional scales, thereby providing information for water security relevant for agriculture and drink water supply of billions of people worldwide. Space-borne gravimetry, notably in the form of the Gravity Recovery And Climate Experiment (GRACE), GRACE Follow-On missions, has provided observations covering two decades, but their full information content remains underutilized. Without fully exploiting the spatial and temporal resolution of gravimetric data, the ability to separate the underlying geophysical processes is not possible, crippling our understanding of the effects of climate change. 

This research aims at providing novel mass transport products derived from space-borne gravimetric data coming from past, current, and future missions. This is achieved by innovative methodology, namely by uniquely constraining the data from these missions to geophysical models, thereby combining the strength of the underlying physical knowledge contained in such models and maximising the spatiotemporal resolution of the satellite on-orbit observations. Auxiliary information, such as precipitation records or altimetry data, will establish a suitable temporal evolution, and topography and surface properties will predict a realistic spatial mass distribution. 

The successful candidate will transform the application of gravimetric data in the various geophysical domains by providing mass change estimates with unprecedented spatiotemporal resolution at specific geographical locations and focusing on particular geophysical processes. 

The successful candidate will be responsible for pre-processing the GRACE data, building the mass transport models at selected geographical regions, and validating and improving their parameterisation.

The successful candidate will also be involved in education as MSc student co-supervisor and/or as project coach.

To be considered for the position, the candidate must have:

• MSc degree in a relevant field: Geodesy, Physical Geography (notably Hydrology and Glaciology), Geophysics, Aerospace Engineering, Computer Science or Applied Mathematics.
• Demonstrated knowledge in computational geosciences and stochastic modelling.

The candidates will also be evaluated on their:

• background in satellite data processing,
• experience in software development,
• ability to conduct high-quality research and
• eagerness to learn new disciplines.

TU Delft offers PhD-candidates a 4-year contract, with an official go/no go progress assessment after one year. Salary and benefits are in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities, increasing from € 2395 per month in the first year to € 3061 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 and aim to be as inclusive as possible (see our Code of Conduct ). Together, we imagine, invent and create solutions using technology to have a positive impact on a global scale.

Challenge. Change. Impact! 

The Faculty of Aerospace Engineering at Delft University of Technology is one of the world’s most highly ranked (and most comprehensive) research, education and innovation communities devoted entirely to aerospace engineering. More than 200 science staff, around 250 PhD candidates and over 2,700 BSc and MSc students apply aerospace engineering disciplines to address the global societal challenges that threaten us today, climate change without doubt being the most important. Our focal subjects: sustainable aerospace, big data and artificial intelligence, bio-inspired engineering and smart instruments and systems. Working at the faculty means working together. With partners in other faculties, knowledge institutes, governments and industry, both aerospace and non-aerospace. Working in field labs and innovation hubs on our university campus and beyond.

Click here to go to the website of the Faculty of Aerospace Engineering.

The Astrodynamics and Space missions Chair (AS) of the Faculty of Aerospace Engineering is specialized in the use of space techniques to advance satellite orbit dynamics and geodesy as scientific disciplines, and to contribute to advanced satellite orbit computations, gravity field determination, modern tracking concepts, and geodesy to global change studies, geodynamics, oceanography, and geophysics. Precise orbit determination and in conjunction conservative and non-conservative force modelling belong to the key research areas of AS. In addition, AS has been involved for a long time in altimeter calibration and validation activities and the construction of the renowned Radar Altimeter Database System RADS, which enjoys a large science user-community.

For information about this vacancy you can contact Joao da Teixeira de Encarnacao, Assistant Professor of Astrodynamics & Space Missions at telephone number 31 (0) 15 2781865 or per email [email protected]

For information about the selection procedure, please contact Mrs. R. van Wingaarden, Management Assistant, email: [email protected].

A pre-employment screening can be part of the application procedure.

The continued observation of the temporal changes of the Earth's gravity field is essential for understanding mass transport, caused by processes in the oceans and atmosphere, by melting ice caps and glaciers, by large-scale ground water use, among others. Mass transport is an essential climate variable, and its monitoring is required for understanding climate change. It is also crucial for monitoring hydrological processes at global and regional scales, thereby providing information for water security relevant for agriculture and drink water supply of billions of people worldwide. Space-borne gravimetry, notably in the form of the Gravity Recovery And Climate Experiment (GRACE), GRACE Follow-On missions, has provided observations covering two decades, but their full information content remains underutilized. Without fully exploiting the spatial and temporal resolution of gravimetric data, the ability to separate the underlying geophysical processes is not possible, crippling our understanding of the effects of climate change. 

This research aims at providing novel mass transport products derived from space-borne gravimetric data coming from past, current, and future missions. This is achieved by innovative methodology, namely by uniquely constraining the data from these missions to geophysical models, thereby combining the strength of the underlying physical knowledge contained in such models and maximising the spatiotemporal resolution of the satellite on-orbit observations. Auxiliary information, such as precipitation records or altimetry data, will establish a suitable temporal evolution, and topography and surface properties will predict a realistic spatial mass distribution. 

The successful candidate will transform the application of gravimetric data in the various geophysical domains by providing mass change estimates with unprecedented spatiotemporal resolution at specific geographical locations and focusing on particular geophysical processes. 

The successful candidate will be responsible for pre-processing the GRACE data, building the mass transport models at selected geographical regions, and validating and improving their parameterisation.

The successful candidate will also be involved in education as MSc student co-supervisor and/or as project coach.

To be considered for the position, the candidate must have:

• MSc degree in a relevant field: Geodesy, Physical Geography (notably Hydrology and Glaciology), Geophysics, Aerospace Engineering, Computer Science or Applied Mathematics.
• Demonstrated knowledge in computational geosciences and stochastic modelling.

The candidates will also be evaluated on their:

• background in satellite data processing,
• experience in software development,
• ability to conduct high-quality research and
• eagerness to learn new disciplines.

TU Delft offers PhD-candidates a 4-year contract, with an official go/no go progress assessment after one year. Salary and benefits are in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities, increasing from € 2395 per month in the first year to € 3061 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 and aim to be as inclusive as possible (see our Code of Conduct ). Together, we imagine, invent and create solutions using technology to have a positive impact on a global scale.

Challenge. Change. Impact! 

The Faculty of Aerospace Engineering at Delft University of Technology is one of the world’s most highly ranked (and most comprehensive) research, education and innovation communities devoted entirely to aerospace engineering. More than 200 science staff, around 250 PhD candidates and over 2,700 BSc and MSc students apply aerospace engineering disciplines to address the global societal challenges that threaten us today, climate change without doubt being the most important. Our focal subjects: sustainable aerospace, big data and artificial intelligence, bio-inspired engineering and smart instruments and systems. Working at the faculty means working together. With partners in other faculties, knowledge institutes, governments and industry, both aerospace and non-aerospace. Working in field labs and innovation hubs on our university campus and beyond.

Click here to go to the website of the Faculty of Aerospace Engineering.

The Astrodynamics and Space missions Chair (AS) of the Faculty of Aerospace Engineering is specialized in the use of space techniques to advance satellite orbit dynamics and geodesy as scientific disciplines, and to contribute to advanced satellite orbit computations, gravity field determination, modern tracking concepts, and geodesy to global change studies, geodynamics, oceanography, and geophysics. Precise orbit determination and in conjunction conservative and non-conservative force modelling belong to the key research areas of AS. In addition, AS has been involved for a long time in altimeter calibration and validation activities and the construction of the renowned Radar Altimeter Database System RADS, which enjoys a large science user-community.

For information about this vacancy you can contact Joao da Teixeira de Encarnacao, Assistant Professor of Astrodynamics & Space Missions at telephone number 31 (0) 15 2781865 or per email [email protected]

For information about the selection procedure, please contact Mrs. R. van Wingaarden, Management Assistant, email: [email protected].

A pre-employment screening can be part of the application procedure.