PhD Position Satellite InSAR and Data Assimilation for Subsidence Analysis

Using Space to understand the Earth: develop your Data Analytics skills.

We are seeking a PhD researcher to join our interdisciplinary team that will unravel surface motion over the Groningen gas reservoir in the Netherlands, by decomposing this into various driving mechanisms, and forecast future subsidence, answering questions such as the duration of subsidence after gas production cessation and its magnitude.

The PhD will be mostly located at TU Delft, and operate both in the InSAR research team as well as in the data assimilation team of TU Delft.

In this collaborative project, the University of Utrecht is looking for a PhD candidate on Forecasting Subsidence in the Groningen Reservoir Region to join their interdisciplinary team. Check the vacancy at the website the of University of Utrecht.

The selected candidates for both positions will work closely together.

Candidates are expected to have the following qualifications:

• An MSc degree in mathematics, geosciences, or computer science,
• Excellent skills in writing and speaking English
• An open, critical, and interdisciplinary mindset

We expect all candidates to demonstrate a thorough grasp of Linear Algebra, Calculus, Observation Theory, as well as excellent programming skills in Python. They should have teamwork affinity in a diverse environment, and good organizational and 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 one of the selection committee members:

Prof. dr.ir. Ramon Hanssen [email protected]

Dr.ir. Femke Vossepoel  [email protected]

Dr. Rob Govers [email protected]

Prof.dr. Esther Stouthamer [email protected]

Are you interested in this vacancy? Please apply before 12 april 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.