Job description
In dike safety assessment, it is important to understand how failure processes at different scales contribute to flood risk. In the case of BEP, this includes erosion at the pipe tip, continued erosion along the growing pipe, and the transport of sediment under changing hydraulic conditions. These processes are driven by local and regional groundwater flow, which is strongly affected by variations in the shallow subsurface. Existing models often rely on (semi-)empirical rules, such as the Sellmeijer criterion, to predict pipe growth and the critical hydraulic head. However, because the underlying BEP mechanisms are still not fully understood, the main parameters controlling pipe development remain uncertain. As a result, predictions of when failure will occur can vary significantly.
Within Work Package 3, Upscaling BEP models across scales, you will address the following scientific challenge: incorporating BEP mechanisms into continuum-based models in which the interaction between pipe growth at the micro-scale and groundwater flow at the local and regional scale is explicitly represented. You will use an existing concurrent multi-scale modelling framework that combines the finite element method (FEM) and the discrete element method (DEM).
You will work closely with two other PhD candidates who will study how 3D subsurface variability influences BEP behaviour, using both simplified and advanced BEP models within a unified probabilistic framework. This approach makes it possible to combine models with different levels of detail and computational cost, and to use them efficiently for quantifying the risk of dike failure caused by backward erosion piping.
Your profile
Requirements:
- MSc graduate in Geotechnical, Civil Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Physics, or related fields.
- Affinity with granular materials, fluid-coupled particulate systems in slow and/or fast motion, or soil erosion processes.
- Knowledge of and experience with numerical methods, such the finite element method (FEM) and discrete element method (DEM)
- Numerical simulation and coding experiences (C++, Python).
- Good communication skills and the ability to work in a multi-disciplinary environment, learning and communicating with the project stakeholders.
- Proficiency in English (spoken and written).
Our offer
- A fully-funded PhD position for 4 years.
- The PhD project will be conducted under the supervision of Prof. V. Magnanimo and Dr. H. Cheng at University of Twente.
- As a PhD candidate, you will be enrolled in the Twente Graduate School (TGS).
- A position in an inspiring, multidisciplinary and international environment with an attractive campus and lots of facilities for sports and leisure. The university provides a dynamic ecosystem with enthusiastic colleagues.
- A starting salary of € 3059,- gross per month in the first year and increasing to € 3881,- gross per month in the fourth year.
- An annual holiday allowance of 8% of the gross annual salary, and an annual year-end bonus of 8.3%.
- A solid pension scheme.
- Minimum of 41 leave days in case of full-time employment.
- Access to excellent facilities for professional and personal development.
- In addition, the PhD fellow will benefit from close collaboration with partners in the Digital Dikes network.
Information and application
Please submit your application before June 15, 2026 via the ‘Apply now’ button, including:
· A cover letter (maximum 1 pages A4), emphasizing your specific interests, qualifications, motivation, and research ideas for the PhD project.
· A detailed Curriculum Vitae, including an overview of all courses attended and grades obtained.
· A description (maximum half-page A4) of your MSc research.
Screening is part of the procedure.
The interviews are planned in the 1st and 2nd week of July 2026.
For more information about this vacancy you can contact Dr. Hongyang Cheng, +31 53 489 9986 (e-mail: h.cheng@utwente.nl or Prof.dr. Vanessa Magnanimo (v.magnanimo@utwente.nl)
About the organisation
At the Faculty of Engineering Technology (ET), we work on engineering for impact: developing smart, sustainable, human-centred and technological solutions for societal challenges. We connect fundamental education, research and practice across five core domains: Asset & Maintenance engineering, Intelligent Manufacturing Systems, Personalised Health Technology, Resilience Engineering, and Sustainable Production, Energy and Resources.
We work on education and research in mechanical engineering, civil engineering and industrial design engineering. Together, we learn by making, creating, and innovating, addressing challenges in a solution-oriented way. Quality, connection and inclusivity are the foundation of our culture.
In our open community, students, researchers and staff collaborate with industrial and societal partners. This enables us to develop insights, applications and solutions that add value to society.
