Are you fascinated by clouds, climate and their governing physics? Do satellite observations of these climate features sound exciting? Then this PhD position might be for you!
Job description
Motivation:
Large uncertainties remain in projections of how Earth's climate will respond to the ongoing anthropogenic warming. A substantial part of these uncertainties come from a poor understanding of shallow cumulus clouds -- small, fair-weather clouds that play a major role in regulating Earth’s energy balance. Recent research has highlighted features such as circulations and rain as key processes that can help better understand these clouds. Improving our understanding of these processes will help reduce cloud-feedback estimates, and therefore reduce uncertainty in climate projections.
Research Theme:
Building on well-posed hypotheses from recent modelling studies, an observational investigation of the clouds-circulation coupling is warranted. This investigation is the heart of this PhD position and aims to identify processes that are missing or poorly represented in current climate models and theory. You will work with data from multiple satellites measuring clouds, rain and the atmospheric state, and also use model outputs to help fill the gaps. Your research goal is to advance current theories of how clouds and circulations interact over the tropical oceans. Within the thematic scope and objectives outlined above, you will have considerable freedom to explore which methods to apply and to come up with research questions that pique your curiousity. This position therefore provides ample space for you to bring creativity and intellectual ownership, with guidance from the supervisory team to help translate your ideas intomeaningful research contributions. In addition to your core PhD research, you will contribute to a department field campaign focused on low clouds. This includes drone-based and remote-sensing observations during 2 field campaigns. The total time commitment for this will be at the most three months. These hands-on field experiences provide valuable perspective on atmospheric processes and deepen appreciation for the challenges and effort involved in collecting high-quality observations.
Working style and research environment:
You will join the Geoscience & Remote Sensing department (GRS) working closely with fellow PhD researchers, postdocs, and professors in an open and collaborative environment, where you will receive full support and training to grow in your career. This project is a collaboration between TU Delft and Wageningen University & Research (WUR), offering the chance to work with leading experts in clouds and climate science. Regular seminars, meetings and conferences bring together a vibrant community of cloud researchers and frequently spring up ideas for collaboration. Your PhD research will thus not be in isolation, but in constant conversation with ongoing research investigations.
Job requirements
- A master’s degree in Physics, Earth, Atmospheric, or Climate Science, or clear evidence that it will be obtained soon (e.g. thesis submitted).
- Experience in working with large data sets. Familiarity with NetCDF and/or Zarr is a plus.
- Strong teamwork and communication skills. We value an inclusive and collaborative environment and look for applicants who share these values.
- Good command of written and spoken English.
- Experience in working with remote-sensing instruments and/or data is an advantage.
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
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 €3059 - €3881 gross per month, from the first year to the fourth year based on a fulltime contract (38 hours), plus 8% holiday allowance and an end-of-year bonus of 8.3%.
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.
Will you need to relocate to the Netherlands for this job? TU Delft is committed to make your move as smooth as possible! The HR unit, Coming to Delft Service, offers information on their website to help you prepare your relocation. In addition, Coming to Delft Service organises events to help you settle in the Netherlands, and expand your (social) network in Delft. A Dual Career Programme is available, to support your accompanying partner with their job search in the Netherlands.
Additional information
If you would like more information about this vacancy or the selection procedure, please contact Geet George, via g.george@tudelft.nl.
Application procedure
Are you interested in this vacancy? Please apply no later than 1 March 2026 via the application button and upload the following documents:
- CV
- A cover letter of maximum 1 page explaining your motivation for a PhD and why you are suited for this position. Be cautious with using generative AI - your individual voice will appeal more than ornate, but generic, writing
- BSc and MSc transcripts
You can address your application to Geet George.
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.
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.
