PhD Position on Multi-Dimensional Characterization and Modelling of Mining Residual Piles

Looking for an impactful PhD opportunity in sustainable development?

Large volumes of mining residuals are produced by mining activities, both in the past and present. Additionally, there's a growing demand for mined materials due to population growth, economic expansion, and the shift towards renewable energy. This results in mining companies extracting and processing large quantities of materials, potentially leading to substantial amounts of waste. While this waste could potentially harm the environment, it may also contain valuable metals. Thus, it's crucial to understand the variations in the volumetric composition of mine waste piles for proactive waste management and secondary resource recovery. The main goal of this position is to develop and implement innovative methodologies to analyze and model the spatial variability and distribution of mining residual piles in multiple dimensions. The research work entails collecting samples from test case sites, utilizing secondary data, and conducting data analysis. Ultimately, this role offers an exciting opportunity to make significant contributions to the field of environmental sustainability and efficient resource management through the utilization of sensor technologies and advanced data analytics.

Are you passionate about making a difference in mining residuals management, and striving to improve secondary recovery while minimizing environmental impact?

As a doctoral candidate, you will collaborate closely with our team of specialists in the field of sensor-based material characterization, geoscience, data analytics and mining residual management and monitoring. Your research will play a crucial role in devising successful approaches for managing and monitoring mine residuals thereby contributing to resilient development and the transition to green energy.

If you have a strong desire to generate solutions for environmental and societal dilemmas and are interested in this stimulating opportunity please read on.

• Relevant university degree at Master level in Geoinformatics, Geoscience, Environmental Engineering, Computer Science, or relevant field.
• Demonstrated prior knowledge in data analytics (e.g., Machine Learning) and Geostatistics either in the form of coursework or projects/thesis.
• Experience in the utilization of spatial and/or time series data.
• Knowledge of sensor-based raw material characterization is a plus.
• You know enough about relevant software and programming languages such as Python or R.

We are seeking a candidate who is self-motivated, creative, and able to work independently, as well as collaborate with others in a team setting.

During your PhD, you will work with lots of colleagues both inside and outside of the department. Therefore have excellent verbal and written communication skills.

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 € 2770 per month in the first year to € 3539 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 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 Feven Desta, e-mail [email protected] .

Are you interested in this vacancy? Please apply before 31 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.