Postdoc on biogeochemical and physicochemical processes in contaminated sediment depots, focusing on pollutant transformation, resource recovery, and sustainable management.
Job description
Sediment depots contain complex and heterogeneous mixtures of contaminated dredged sediments with significant potential for resource recovery. While historical records of deposited materials exist, there is currently limited understanding of how these sediments and associated pollutants have evolved under the unique environmental conditions within the depot. The system is highly stratified and poorly mixed, leading to strong spatial variability in physicochemical and biological processes, and consequently large uncertainties in pollutant distribution, transformation, and resource potential.
A key knowledge gap concerns the role of indigenous microbial communities in contaminant degradation and transformation. Understanding whether and where biodegradation occurs is essential for predicting long-term environmental risks and identifying opportunities for microbial treatment and resource recovery. At the same time, there is an urgent need to develop strategies for sediment management, purification, and capacity maintenance.
This postdoctoral project aims to establish a comprehensive geochemical characterization of the sediments and associated pollutants. The work will provide insights into contaminant concentrations, microbial activity, vertical heterogeneity, and hotspot zones, forming a critical baseline for evaluating treatment strategies and enabling beneficial reuse of materials.
The postdoc will focus on physicochemical processes and technology development for potential valuable resource isolation and recovery. This includes evaluating and advancing existing techniques such as electrochemical extraction, chemical and bio-leaching, adsorption, and physical separation. A key objective is to assess the effectiveness of current technologies, identify limitations, and define pathways for their improvement or redesign in the context of complex sediment matrices.
The research will be conducted in close collaboration with a PhD candidate working on pollutant identification and microbial processes, within the framework of the Contaminated Sludge to Resource project, part of the Haskoning Innovation & Education Fund and co-funded by the TKI ChemistryNL research programme.
The project will integrate long-term monitoring data with new sediment core analyses to assess both known and emerging contaminants, including their spatial distribution. Analytical techniques such as grain size analysis, X-ray diffraction, and ICP-MS and/or ICP-OES will be used to characterize sediment composition, mineralogy, metal distribution, and mobility.
The postdoc will develop an integrated roadmap combining physicochemical and microbial approaches for sustainable sediment management and resource recovery. This work will contribute to a new interdisciplinary research line, established through interdepartmental collaboration, at the interface of biogeochemistry, microbiology, and engineering, with direct relevance for large-scale sediment management practices. The position is embedded in the Department of Hydraulic Engineering at TU Delft, internationally recognised for research and education.
Job requirements
- PhD in chemical engineering, materials science, environmental engineering, geochemistry or a related field.
- Experience with laboratory testing of materials, preferably soils, sediments, or construction materials.
- Ability to design and perform experimental work, analyse results, and report findings clearly.
- Strong analytical skills and the ability to work independently within a multidisciplinary team.
- Affinity with environmental biogeochemistry.
- Knowledge of circular materials and separation techniques applied to metal recovery is an advantage.
- Excellent command of written and spoken English, as you will be working in an international environment.
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 2 years. Temporary external finance.
- A job of 38 hours per week.
- Salary and benefits are in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities.
- An excellent pension scheme via the ABP.
- The possibility to compile an individual employment package every year.
- Discount with health insurers on supplemental packages.
- Flexible working week.
- Every year, 232 leave hours (at 38 hours). You can also sell or buy additional leave hours via the individual choice budget.
- Plenty of opportunities for education, training and courses.
- Partially paid parental leave
- Attention for working healthy and energetically with the vitality program.
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 role and selection procedure, please contact
Caroline Fiório Grilo (Assistant Professor at the Faculty of Civil Engineering and Geoscience, at TU Delft) c.f.grilo@tudelft.nl or
Alex Kirichek (Associate Professor at the Faculty of Civil Engineering and Geoscience, at TU Delft) okirichek@tudelft.nl
Application procedure
Are you interested in this vacancy? Please apply no later than 20 May 2026 via the application button and upload the following documents:
You can address your application to Alex Kirichek.
Starting date: after summer break.
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.
