Challenge: Can the Wadden Sea survive the accelerating sea level rise?
Change: Predict the long-term morphological development of the tidal basins.
Impact: Sustainable management of tidal basins.
Job description
We are seeking a Postdoc candidate for WadSED, a large NWO project on the Wadden Sea tidal basins and the Western Scheldt estuary. We seek to understand these systems and predict their morphodynamics and long-term morphological development under influence of natural dynamics, human interference and sea-level rise. Multiple PhDs and Postdocs are working on this challenge and link new insights to the societal challenges regarding sediment management, ecology and flood safety. The topic of this Postdoc project focusses on the response of the Wadden Sea and other tidal basins to accelerating sea level rise.
Position at Delft University Of Technology
The objective of the Postdoc at TU Delft is to develop and apply morphodynamic models for predicting long-term morphological development of tidal basins like the Wadden Sea and estuaries like the Western Scheldt, under influence of sea level rise and human interferences. Specifically,
- To develop next-generation model combining the best of the reduced complexity model ASMITA and the process based model Delft3D.
- To upgrade the ASMITA software by addition of multiple sediments, exchange over tidal divides, exchange with salt marshes, addition of river flow and recalibration.
- To apply the models for predicting response of the Wadden Sea, Western Scheldt and other international systems to SLR and subsidence using probabilistic simulations.
- In collaboration with Deltares investigate the impact of the morphodynamic changes on ecology and flood safety.
You will be part of a larger team of PhDs and postdocs from WadSed and be encouraged to collaborate on common topics, mutually exchange new insights, and where possible incorporate them in your research. At TU Delft, you will be part of the Coastal Engineering section where we combine research on hydrodynamics, morphodynamics, and human interventions to the coast using numerical modelling and field measurements. You will primarily work with Zeng Bing Wang (TU Delft/Deltares), Bram van Prooijen (TU Delft) Ymkje Huismans (Deltares), Quirijn Lodder (RWS), who look forward to collaborate and supervise with enthusiasm and dedication.
For more information on the project and subprojects see WadSED website (https://wadsed.nl). This vacancy concerns project WP2.1.
Job requirements
Required conditions are:
- A PhD in a relevant field, e.g. Civil Engineering, Environmental Engineering, Marine Geology, Oceanography, Physical Geography, Physics, Mathematics.
- A record of scholarly contributions i.e. publications or software products, commensurate with this career stage.
- Excellent communication skills (written and oral), including proficiency in English.
In addition:
- You have demonstrated an affinity and a strong interest in numerical model development and application.
- You look forward to diving into the fundamental mechanisms behind hydrodynamics and sediment transport and translate that into concepts for numerical modelling.
- You have a passion for doing interdisciplinary research in teams and demonstrate inclusive values towards building a diverse community.
- You like to finish what you start.
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.
- A job of 32-38 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
For more information about this vacancy, please contact Prof.dr.ir. Z.B. Wang (Z.B.Wang@tudelft.nl)
Please apply via the website of TU Delft, unsolicited emails will not be considered.
Application procedure
Are you interested in this vacancy? Please apply no later than 15 June 2026 via the application button and upload the following documents:
- Motivation letter: Convince us why you are suited for this position: what attracts you? How do your knowledge and skills match with the position/project (and where not)? What is your ambition, and how does this position fit in? How do your demonstrate your capacity to work in a team?
- Curriculum Vitae.
- Link to your PhD thesis and if applicable to relevant publication(s) or preprint(s).
- Optional life-impact statement (1 page max) discussing any major life circumstance(s) that have impacted your career trajectory or performance (e.g., illness, caretaking responsibilities).
You can address your application to Zheng Bing Wang.
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.
