The
Department of Physical Geography seeks two PhD candidates for the
project Delta engineering: drowning or emerging, which is funded by STW
(www.stw.nl).
In many deltas sediment starvation, sea level rise, and soil subsidence have become problematic, resulting in considerable threat of drowning and loss of land. To investigate how delta drowning can be prevented we will in this project investigate water flow and sediment processes and establish scenarios of for future delta development an ideal trial area: the Biesbosch (NL), an inland tidal delta (90 km2) of the rivers Rhine and Meuse, under influence of engineering works in the past, of recent and upcoming de-poldering, and future increases of tidal amplitude, sea level, and river peak discharges due to climate change.
The project involves 2 interrelated projects with joint field measurement campaigns, but different focus:
1. a PhD study on the hydro-morphological processes within this complex area, to predict the hydraulic and morphological changes resulting from river restoration and flood protection measures over the next 10 years. This project focuses on the measurement of hydrodynamics, sediment flow pathways, erosion of channels and banks, and sedimentation patterns within two former polders of the Biesbosch area. These data will allow to determine sediment budgets within the subsystems under different boundary conditions.
2. a PhD study on the longer-term (2050 – 2100) assessment of the hydro-morphological changes in the delta under future sea level rise, increased tidal dynamics, and changed river discharge. This project focuses on the hydrodynamic and morphodynamic modelling of the entire Biesbosch area.
The PhD candidates will collaborate intensely with each other and with external end-users, such as Deltares, Staatsbosbeheer, Rijkswaterstaat and consultancy firms.
Qualifications
For Project 1, we are looking for a highly motivated candidate with a MSc degree in Physical Geography or a closely related discipline and experience in field-data collection and computer simulation. For Project 2, we are looking for a highly motivated candidate with a MSc degree in Civil Engineering or Physical Geography or a closely related discipline, with experience in hydrodynamic and morphodynamic modelling.
Both candidates should have a strong motivation for scientific research; keen interest in translating scientific findings to practical applications, profound knowledge of river processes. Furthermore, the applicants should be proficient in English, have excellent scientific writing and planning skills, and be an enthusiastic team player. The ability to communicate the main research results to non-specialized end users is an essential aspect of this project.
Offer
You are offered an 18-month fulltime position with - at good performance - the prospect of a phased extension with a maximum of 30 months (in total 4 years fulltime).
The extent of these positions officially is 38 hours per week (1.0 fte). During this 4 year's period you are expected to write a dissertation leading to a doctoral degree (PhD thesis).
The salary starts with € 2,062.- gross per month in the first year and increases to € 2,638.- gross per month in the fourth year of employment at fulltime appointment.
The salary is supplemented with a holiday bonus of 8% and an end-of-year bonus of 8.3% per year. In addition we offer a pension scheme, a collective health insurance and flexible employment conditions. Conditions are based on the Collective Labour Agreement of the Dutch Universities.
About the organisation
The Faculty of Geosciences offers education and research concerning the geosphere, biosphere, atmosphere and anthroposphere. With a population of 2200 students (BSc and MSc) and 600 staff, the Faculty is a strong and challenging organisation. The Faculty is organised in four Departments: Innovation, Environmental and Energy Sciences, Earth Sciences, Physical Geography, and Human Geography and Urban and Regional Planning. Further information concerning the faculty is available at the website www.uu.nl/geo. General information about Utrecht University can be found at www.uu.nl
In many deltas sediment starvation, sea level rise, and soil subsidence have become problematic, resulting in considerable threat of drowning and loss of land. To investigate how delta drowning can be prevented we will in this project investigate water flow and sediment processes and establish scenarios of for future delta development an ideal trial area: the Biesbosch (NL), an inland tidal delta (90 km2) of the rivers Rhine and Meuse, under influence of engineering works in the past, of recent and upcoming de-poldering, and future increases of tidal amplitude, sea level, and river peak discharges due to climate change.
The project involves 2 interrelated projects with joint field measurement campaigns, but different focus:
1. a PhD study on the hydro-morphological processes within this complex area, to predict the hydraulic and morphological changes resulting from river restoration and flood protection measures over the next 10 years. This project focuses on the measurement of hydrodynamics, sediment flow pathways, erosion of channels and banks, and sedimentation patterns within two former polders of the Biesbosch area. These data will allow to determine sediment budgets within the subsystems under different boundary conditions.
2. a PhD study on the longer-term (2050 – 2100) assessment of the hydro-morphological changes in the delta under future sea level rise, increased tidal dynamics, and changed river discharge. This project focuses on the hydrodynamic and morphodynamic modelling of the entire Biesbosch area.
The PhD candidates will collaborate intensely with each other and with external end-users, such as Deltares, Staatsbosbeheer, Rijkswaterstaat and consultancy firms.
Qualifications
For Project 1, we are looking for a highly motivated candidate with a MSc degree in Physical Geography or a closely related discipline and experience in field-data collection and computer simulation. For Project 2, we are looking for a highly motivated candidate with a MSc degree in Civil Engineering or Physical Geography or a closely related discipline, with experience in hydrodynamic and morphodynamic modelling.
Both candidates should have a strong motivation for scientific research; keen interest in translating scientific findings to practical applications, profound knowledge of river processes. Furthermore, the applicants should be proficient in English, have excellent scientific writing and planning skills, and be an enthusiastic team player. The ability to communicate the main research results to non-specialized end users is an essential aspect of this project.
Offer
You are offered an 18-month fulltime position with - at good performance - the prospect of a phased extension with a maximum of 30 months (in total 4 years fulltime).
The extent of these positions officially is 38 hours per week (1.0 fte). During this 4 year's period you are expected to write a dissertation leading to a doctoral degree (PhD thesis).
The salary starts with € 2,062.- gross per month in the first year and increases to € 2,638.- gross per month in the fourth year of employment at fulltime appointment.
The salary is supplemented with a holiday bonus of 8% and an end-of-year bonus of 8.3% per year. In addition we offer a pension scheme, a collective health insurance and flexible employment conditions. Conditions are based on the Collective Labour Agreement of the Dutch Universities.
About the organisation
The Faculty of Geosciences offers education and research concerning the geosphere, biosphere, atmosphere and anthroposphere. With a population of 2200 students (BSc and MSc) and 600 staff, the Faculty is a strong and challenging organisation. The Faculty is organised in four Departments: Innovation, Environmental and Energy Sciences, Earth Sciences, Physical Geography, and Human Geography and Urban and Regional Planning. Further information concerning the faculty is available at the website www.uu.nl/geo. General information about Utrecht University can be found at www.uu.nl
Application Deadline : 28 February 2013
