Post-Doc position: Knowledge for decision making on coastal sand nourishments

Job description

This research position is part of the NWO-funded SOURCE program: Sand nOURisment strategies for Sustainable Coastal Ecosystems. The SOURCE philosophy is that carefully planned sand nourishments in the present will create the required and desired resilient and dynamic multifunctional coastal landscapes of the future.

SOURCE will deliver the scientific knowledge, models and design tools to develop and evaluate nourishment strategies in a multi-stakeholder co-creation process. Our Living Labs are two sand nourishments along the Dutch coast. The 12 PhD, Post-Doc and other researchers at 8 academic institutes will collaborate closely with 25 partners from government organizations, research institutes, nature organizations and industry.

Your research aims to synthesize results and connect science to coastal management. The focus is on the Dutch policy of ‘holding the coastline with sand nourishments’. You will look at improvements within this present strategy (how nourishments are planned and designed and how stakeholders can contribute to this) as well as possible adaptations of the strategy given an expected accelerated sea level rise and an increasing pressure on space for various user functions. Your research will touch upon both the knowledge of the natural system (geology, morphology, ecology) and the question ‘how can future coastal management profit from co-creation with a variety of stakeholders’. Detailed research questions will be formulated together with you, tailored to your scientific background.

The research will be executed at Deltares, Delft and the University of Twente. You will work in close interaction with your Deltares and UT supervisors as well as fellow researchers within the consortium. Especially, close collaboration is foreseen with the Directorate-General for Public Works and Water Management (Rijkswaterstaat). Regular consortium meetings will accommodate knowledge exchange with our partners, increasing the relevance and impact of our research. Furthermore, you will present your work at (inter)national conferences and publish your findings in journal papers.

Your profile

• PhD in Coastal Engineering or a related discipline.
• You have affinity/experience with coastal management and governance.
• Strong organizational and communication skills.
• Excellent writing skills – you have published multiple scientific journal papers as 1st author.
• You are fluent in English (C1 level or higher) and Dutch (B2 level or higher), both spoken and written.

Our offer

• Two-year fulltime Post-Doc position, preferably executed part-time and spread over the duration of the SOURCE project (until February 2030).
• Challenging work in an inspiring multidisciplinary environment with enthusiastic colleagues.
• Full status as an employee at the UT, including pension and health care benefits.
• Gross monthly salary between € 4241,- and € 5538,-, depending on your education and experience.
• Annual holiday allowance of 8% of the gross annual salary, and an end-of-year bonus of 8.3%.
• Minimum of 41 holidays per year in case of fulltime employment (40 hours/week).
• We provide excellent mentorship and a stimulating research environment to accelerate your further professional and personal growth.

Your first responsibility is to carry out the research, but we motivate you to improve your management skills within the SOURCE project and to increase your teaching experience. We support you to broaden your knowledge by participating in national and international conferences and workshops and by visiting industrial companies, research institutes, and universities worldwide.

Information and application

For more information about the position, you are encouraged to contact Dr. ir. Jebbe van der Werf ([emailprotected]), Maaike Maarse, MSc ([emailprotected]) or Prof. dr. Suzanne Hulscher.

Please upload your application via the ‘Apply now’ button before November 26st 2025.

Your application should include a cover letter of max 2 pages (emphasizing your specific interest, motivation and qualifications) and a detailed CV including a publication list and contact details of two referees.

The interviews are scheduled for 5 December, 11 December and 12 December 2025 preferably in person. A second round may be part of the procedure.

Screening is part of the procedure.

We aim for this project to start February 1st 2025.
We also welcome PhD students to apply who expect to have completed their PhD thesis around this time.

About the organisation

The Faculty of Engineering Technology (ET) engages in education and research of Mechanical Engineering, Civil Engineering and Industrial Design Engineering. We enable society and industry to innovate and create value using efficient, solid and sustainable technology. We are part of a ‘people-first' university of technology, taking our place as an internationally leading center for smart production, processes and devices in five domains: Health Technology, Maintenance, Smart Regions, Smart Industry and Sustainable Resources. Our faculty is home to about 2,900 Bachelor's and Master's students, 550 employees and 150 PhD candidates. Our educational and research programmes are closely connected with UT research institutes Mesa+ Institute, TechMed Center and Digital Society Institute.