EngD position on The flushing of trapped saltwater from bathymetric depressions in a semi-closed estuary by freshwater river discharge

Job title:

EngD position on The flushing of trapped saltwater from bathymetric depressions in a semi-closed estuary by freshwater river discharge

Company:

Universiteit Twente

Job description

Hours38 hr.Salary indicationSalary gross/monthly
based on full-time€ 2,618Deadline23 Aug 2024The Haringvliet Estuary in the western part of the Netherlands was closed off in 1970 by a series of locks as part of the Delta Works for coastal protection. After the closure, the Haringliet became a freshwater body and was used as a source of freshwater for consumption and agriculture. Since 2018, the operating policy of the Haringvliet locks has changed and some locks are opened not only to discharge the river to the sea but also to allow limited inflows from the sea during flood tides to enhance the ecosystem functions of the estuary. The incoming saltwater should ideally be flushed out during the subsequent ebb tide. However, the Haringvliet Estuary has several bathymetric depressions that can store large amounts of saltwater, which, depending on the flow conditions, may not mix easily with the freshwater pulses due to the density differences. In such cases, the freshwater flows over the saltwater for extended periods of low river discharge and the flushing of the saltwater from the scour holes may occur in undesirable periods (e.g., due to wind-driven flow recirculation when the locks are closed), affecting the freshwater intakes.This EngD project will investigate the mixing processes between saltwater that is trapped in large bathymetric depressions and freshwater that flows towards the depression, with the Haringvliet Estuary as a case study. The aim of the project is to determine the flow conditions that lead to flushing of the trapped saltwater from the bathymetric depressions in the Haringvliet Estuary and design a strategy accordingly. The study will be carried out by means of numerical modelling (Delft3D and/or OpenFOAM, depending on the scale of the problem) and by analyzing existing ADCP and CTD measurements, which have been carried out by Rijkswaterstaat and the University of Twente. This project will be part of the SALTISolutions programme, which includes many partners from academia, knowledge institutions, consultancy, and governmental organizations.The EngD researcher will be based at the Marine and Fluvial Systems (MFS) group at the Department of Civil Engineering of the Faculty of Engineering Technology of the University of Twente (UT).Your profile

• MSc in Civil/Hydraulic Engineering, Geosciences or related discipline.
• You have sound programming skills (e.g Python, Matlab).
• You have experience with data analysis and hydraulic modelling.
• Your organizational skills are good.
• You are enthusiastic, independent and have a problem solving attitude leading to a design
• You are willing to contribute to the Civil Engineering teaching program and to supervise MSc thesis projects.
• You are fluent in English, both spoken and written (IELTS ? 6.5 or equivalent).

Candidates who do not possess all these skills but are willing to develop them along the EngD trajectory, are also encouraged to apply. Some of the desired skills can be acquired during an individual training program of 1500 hours that is part of the PhD project.Our offer

• Challenging work in an inspiring multidisciplinary environment with enthusiastic colleagues.
• Two-year fulltime EngD position, with a qualifier exam after 6-9 months
• Full status as an employee at the UT, including pension and health care benefits
• Tailor-made educational/development program of at least 10 months (53 EC), including visits to conferences.
• A salary of €2.618,- gross per month.
• An annual holiday allowance of 8% of the gross annual salary, and an annual year-end bonus of 8.3%.
• Minimum of 29 holidays per year in case of fulltime employment.
• You have to be willing to move to (the vicinity of) Enschede. A relocation allowance or temporary housing allowance may be part of the offer.
• The University of Twente is situated on a green and lively campus with lots of facilities for sports and other activities.
• We provide excellent mentorship and a stimulating research environment to accelerate your further professional and personal growth.

Your first responsibility is to do the research and get education, but you may also will acquire teaching experience (about 5% of your time). We support you to broaden your knowledge by joining international exchange programs, by participating in national and international conferences and workshops and by visiting industrial companies, research institutes, and universities worldwide.Information and applicationPlease upload your application as soon as possible but latest August 23 2024 via the ‘Apply now’ button. Your application should include:

• a cover letter (emphasizing your specific interest, motivation and qualifications)
• a detailed CV
• an academic transcript of B.Sc. and M.Sc. education with grades obtained and a publication list (if applicable)
• result of an English test (if you attended a non-English taught MSc program)
• contact details of 2 referees

Since only three documents can be uploaded per application, please combine documents if needed.The project will start as soon as possible after a suitable candidate is found, which may be before the deadline of applying. An interview will be part of the selection procedure; interviews are planned on 23 August and 30 August.For more information about the position, you may contact Dr. Vasileios Kitsikoudis (v.kitsikoudis@utwente.nl , +31 53 489 9910) or Prof. Suzanne Hulscher (s.j.m.h.hulscher@utwente.nl, + 31 53 489 4256).Share this vacancyAbout the organisationThe 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.Want to know moreKitsikoudis, V. (Vasileios)
Assistant ProfessorKitsikoudis, V. (Vasileios)
Assistant ProfessorDo you have questions about this vacancy? Then you can contact Vasileios for all substantive questions about this position and the application procedure. For general questions about working for the UT, please refer to the chatbot.

Expected salary

€2618 per month

Location

Enschede, Overijssel

Job date

Fri, 02 Aug 2024 22:21:25 GMT

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