Challenge: Lead a unique tropical field campaign.
Change: Deliver unprecedented air–lake flux insights.
Impact: Transform high resolution climate prediction.
Job description
Challenge, Change, Impact
Warm tropical waters fuel intense storms, yet the fine scale exchanges of heat, momentum and freshwater between air and water remain poorly understood. These interactions shape local weather extremes and climate variability, but current models miss them. QUASI turns Lake Victoria—Earth’s largest tropical lake—into an open air laboratory to uncover how sub kilometer air–lake coupling influences convection, rainfall and heat budgets. The insights will advance coupled models and improve forecasts in vulnerable regions. As a postdoctoral researcher, you will play a pivotal role in collecting, curating and analysing this unique dataset, enabling insights that will transform high resolution climate modelling and support regional forecasting capacity.
What you’ll do
Together with the PI, you will provide scientific leadership for QUASI’s observational backbone and take responsibility for the design, operation and analysis of the multi sensor, multi buoy array deployed on Lake Victoria. You will explore the field and coordinate with local partners; oversee the integration, testing and scientific readiness of the sensor suite; support deployment and decommissioning activities; and ensure the continuity and scientific quality of the year long dataset. You will lead the computation and analysis of air–sea fluxes, underwater stratification, currents and mixing responses, use established and novel approaches to quantify submesoscale heterogeneity across the array and conceptualize its impact on mean air–lake exchange. You will work closely with the PI and the technical/data engineer to manage data workflows, ensure FAIR data practices, and translate raw measurements into robust scientific products that feed directly into QUASI’s data analysis and modelling efforts carried out by two PhD researchers. The role includes substantial fieldwork: at least two month long campaigns and 1–3 maintenance visits over 18 months. Experience in (Southern) Africa is a plus and will help you engage effectively with local communities and operational partners.
Where, how, and with whom you’ll work
You will join the Geoscience and Remote Sensing department at TU Delft (Faculty of Civil Engineering and Geosciences) and work closely with Dr Louise Nuijens and an (inter)national network of collaborators. QUASI offers a unique opportunity to combine cutting edge observations and modeling in one of Earth’s most dynamic environments. You will collaborate with local partners at meteorological centers and with initiatives around Lake Victoria (e.g., the TAHMO network). You will also play a central role in mentoring PhD candidates and coordinating with the technical/data engineer to ensure the scientific strength of the observational program. The position offers a unique opportunity to conduct impactful field science, lead high profile analyses, and shape understanding of air–lake coupling in one of the most dynamic environments on the planet. Preferred start date: November 2026.
About QUASI
QUASI—Stormy Atmospheres over Quiescent Waters: Dynamical Implications of Fine scale Air–Sea Interaction—is an ERC Consolidator Grant project that uses Lake Victoria as an analogue of the tropical ocean to expose the mechanisms and impacts of submesoscale air–lake coupling via a novel buoy observing network and cutting edge simulations. You’ll be part of a five member ERC team (PI, technical/data engineer, postdoc and two PhD students—observations & modelling) in Dr Louise Nuijens’ broader research group.
Job requirements
For this postdoctoral role, we are especially looking for someone with experience in ocean observations and a demonstrable background in studying air–sea interaction. You bring strong data and analysis skills, can translate complex measurements into scientific insight, and have the ability to organize, coordinate, and lead field activities together with local partners.
- A PhD in oceanography, atmospheric science, physical geography, environmental physics, or a closely related field.
- Demonstrated experience with ocean/offshore observations, preferably including moored platforms, ship based or buoy based field campaigns, or autonomous systems.
- Strong background in air–sea interaction and/or surface flux computation, including familiarity with bulk flux algorithms and observational QA/QC procedures.
- Experience with processing, analyzing, and interpreting multi sensor environmental datasets; proficiency with Python, MATLAB, or similar scientific programming environments.
- Ability to work with large datasets, develop reproducible workflows, and apply modern data science tools.
- Willingness and enthusiasm to participate in substantial fieldwork, including two month long campaigns and 1–3 maintenance visits on Lake Victoria.
- Strong organizational and coordination skills; ability to work effectively with local partners, technicians, and international collaborators.
- Experience working in (Southern) Africa is a strong plus.
- Excellent communication skills and the ability to write scientific publications independently.
- A collaborative mindset and willingness to mentor junior researchers (e.g., PhD candidates).
- Good command of written and spoken English.
TU Delft (Delft University of Technology)
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!
Faculty of Civil Engineering and Geosciences
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.
Conditions of employment
- Duration of contract is 3 years.
- A job of 38-40 hours per week.
Salary and benefits are in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities. 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.
Additional information
For more information about this vacancy, please contact Louise Nuijens (louise.nuijens@tudelft.nl).
#EUfunded This is an EU funded project, named QUASI, with project number 101231592, within program H2020 / ERC.
Application procedure
Are you interested in this vacancy? Apply via the application button below no later than 28 February 2026 and upload:
- Curriculum vitae.
- Cover letter, including your motivation for this specific position.
- Transcripts from your MSc/PhD degrees.
- Contact details for three referees.
- A copy of your PhD thesis will be appreciated.
You can address your application to Louise Nuijens.
Please note:
- You can apply online. We will not process applications sent by email and/or post.
- As part of knowledge security, TU Delft conducts a risk assessment during the recruitment of personnel. We do this, among other things, to prevent the unwanted transfer of sensitive knowledge and technology. The assessment is based on information provided by the candidates themselves, such as their motivation letter and CV, and takes place at the final stages of the selection process. When the outcome of the assessment is negative, the candidate will be informed. The processing of personal data in the context of the risk assessment is carried out on the legal basis of the GDPR: performing a public task in the public interest. You can find more information about this assessment on our website about knowledge security.
- Please do not contact us for unsolicited services.
