PhD Position Unraveling Cloud Patterns in the Climate System

Fascinated by clouds? Motivated by tackling complexity in the climate system? Enthusiastic about physics? – Consider joining the MesoClou team!

We invite you to apply for a PhD position on utilizing concepts from theoretical physics in the field of atmospheric cloud research.

Clouds are the biggest obstacle to advances in our understanding of climate and climate change. Cloud fields organize into marvelous patterns that cover hundreds of kilometers over the subtropical and tropical oceans and have recently emerged as a key uncertainty for climate projections. While conspicuous in satellite imagery, we lack the concepts and tools to adequately model their evolution. The big challenge lies in capturing the multiple scales that govern cloud patterns - from the formation of cloud droplets on aerosol particles to shifts of prevailing cloud regimes in response to changing weather statistics.

During your PhD research, you will explore concepts from complex systems theory and data-driven approaches to multiscale systems to unravel the mesoscale cloud patterns that keep us from better climate projections. You will apply these approaches to large data sets of cloud patterns. You will work with existing data from simulations and satellites as well as perform your own numerical simulations. Within this scope, we will guide you in designing specific research questions that take your own ideas and interests into account.

Your PhD project will be supervised by Franziska Glassmeier. Together with two PhD students, two postdoctoral researchers, and an advisory AI team, we will tackle the challenges of the ERC Starting Grant project MesoClou. You will also be part of our broader Atmospheric Science research group, which has a strong focus on modeling and observing clouds. In addition to an exciting research project and a friendly, supportive and stimulating work environment, we can offer you generous funds for scientific travel, including extended research visits abroad.

We are looking for a curiosity-driven candidate who enjoys conceptual thinking and modeling, computational data analysis and scientific discussions.

To be considered for this position, you must hold a scientific degree (Master’s or equivalent). As a suitable candidate, you may come from a range of backgrounds including, but not limited to, Physics, Atmospheric Science and Geoscience, Computational Science and Applied Mathematics.

You should have practical programming experience, ideally including data analysis and visualization (e.g. in python).

Any prior knowledge you may have about atmospheric modeling or satellite data or analyzing complex systems will be beneficial but is not required. You should at least have a basic knowledge of university-level physics, however.

We expect you to work independently as well as in small teams.

You should communicate fluently in English (spoken and written) and will present your results to the international scientific community in the form of peer-reviewed publications and presentations at scientific meetings.

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.

The start date of the position is negotiable.

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 additional information on the position and the application process, please contact Franziska Glassmeier ([email protected] ).

Are you interested in this vacancy? Please apply no later than 10 June 2024 via the application button and upload:

• a letter of motivation
• a detailed CV
• list of grades/transcripts (bachelor and master)
• contact information of 2 references
• if already available: your master thesis 

Please note:

• 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.