PhD Position in Digital Twins for Flood-Resilient Infrastructure

Delft University of Technology; Delft; On-site; EUR 36,000 - 45,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Mentoring program

International collaboration

Relocation assistance

Graduate School enrollment

Job summary

Delft University of Technology seeks a motivated PhD candidate for the FlooDT project, to develop Digital Twins for flood-resilient infrastructure. The role emphasizes integrating physics-based and data-driven modelling, risk analysis, and stakeholder engagement.

You will join an international team within the Flood Risk and Hydraulic Structures section, contributing to innovative, high-impact research with strong professional growth support and opportunities for collaboration across institutions.

Qualifications

• MSc or equivalent in Civil Engineering, Computer Science or Hydraulics/related field.
• Experience with numerical modelling and hydrodynamic simulation.
• Knowledge of machine learning methods and data handling.

Responsibilities

• Develop functional modules for Digital Twins, including risk analysis, scenario modelling and processing of monitoring data.
• Develop hybrid physics-based / machine learning modelling for flood risk.
• Apply and validate Digital Twin functionalities on infrastructure representations and case studies.
• Implement developed functionalities into end-user platforms.
• Co-organise workshops and coordinate engagement with stakeholders.

Skills

Numerical modelling

Hydrodynamic simulation

Data management

Machine learning

English communication

Collaborative teamwork

Education

MSc degree in Civil Engineering, Computer Science or Hydro-informatics

Tools

Python

SQL

Java

PyTorch

Job description

PhD Position in Digital Twins for Flood-Resilient Infrastructure: Develop and implement a Digital Twin that strengthens our ability to protect critical infrastructure against flooding.

Job description

Current and future impact of flooding to critical infrastructure (e.g. dikes, bridges) is a major concern worldwide. Unfortunately, the management of flood-prone structures is extremely challenging because underlying processes are complex and uncertain. If our capacity to anticipate flood-induced impacts on infrastructure does not improve, societal and economic consequences are likely to be unsustainable.

Digital Twins (DTs) offer a promising opportunity to combine recent advances in modelling, data assimilation and machine learning. However, for DTs to support the management of flood-prone infrastructure, they must be effectively integrated with flood-risk modelling. The scientific challenge is to develop methods that enable Digital Twins to leverage multiple models, datasets and computational techniques to improve predictive capacity in real flood-risk contexts.

FlooDT (Digital Twin for flood-resilient infrastructure management) is a prestigious and ambitious project funded by NWO. It aims to develop a new methodological framework to exploit the capability of DTs for managing flood risk “from climate prediction to structure protection”. TU Delft is leading the project and a consortium that involves multiple universities (e.g. ETH Zurich, Univ. Polytechnica of Catalunya) and stakeholders (e.g. Deltares, Rijkswaterstaat). The project has also the support of the TU Delft Digital Competence Centre (DCC).

For this unique project we are seeking a motivated and talented PhD candidate for a 4-year appointment. In your role you will:

• Develop functional modules for Digital Twins, such as risk analysis, scenario modelling and processing of monitoring data.
• Develop hybrid (physics based/machine learning) modelling for flood risk.
• Apply and validate the Digital Twin functionalities for simplified representation of infrastructure (first) and real case studies (second).
• Implement the developed functionalities into end users' platforms.
• Co-organise workshops and co-coordinate stakeholder engagement (e.g. regular meetings, presentations, visits).

You will join the FlooDT team and the Flood Risk and Hydraulic Structures section, a collaborative and international team where curiosity, interdisciplinary research and scientific excellence are valued. Our section closely collaborates with the other sections within the Department of Hydraulic Engineering, other departments within our Faculty of Civil Engineering and Geoscience and many research groups around the world. We offer strong support for your professional growth, including mentoring, training, and ample opportunities for international collaboration and networking.

This position will open doors to exciting career opportunities in both academia and the future-facing companies that are shaping the next generation of digital technologies.

Job requirements

We are looking for an excellent, enthusiastic and inquisitive computational researcher who enjoys working in an international and multidisciplinary environment. You have:

• A MSc degree in Civil Engineering, Computer Science or Hydro-informatics (or in a related discipline).
• Demostrated experience in numerical modelling, hydrodynamic simulation and data management.
• Scientific and/or practical knowledge of machine learning.
• Excellent programming skills (e.g. in Python, SQL, Java, PyTorch, etc.).
• A critical, creative and pro-active approach to research, with distinctive problem-solving skills.
• Proven experience with writing scientific reports/publications.
• Confidence/willingness in engaging with partners and stakeholders.
• Excellent command of English (oral and written).

Previous internship experience with non-academic institutions is desiderable.

TU Delft (Delft University of Technology)

At TU Delft, our people make the difference. With their knowledge and curiosity, our staff provide a high-quality education and conduct pioneering research that extends beyond the campus. You will have the opportunity to take the initiative, work with others, and grow as a professional. Working at TU Delft means join an international community of professionals and students.

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.

Conditions of employment

Doctoral candidates will be offered a 4-year period of employment in principle, but in the form of 2 employment contracts. An initial 1,5 year contract with an official go/no go progress assessment within 15 months. Followed by an additional contract for the remaining 2,5 years assuming everything goes well and performance requirements are met.

Salary and benefits are in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities, increasing from €3204 - €4051 gross per month, from the first year to the fourth year based on a fulltime contract (38 hours), plus 8% holiday allowance and an end-of-year bonus of 8.3%.

As a PhD candidate you will be enrolled in the TU Delft Graduate School. The TU Delft Graduate School provides an inspiring research environment with an excellent team of supervisors, academic staff and a mentor. The Doctoral Education Programme is aimed at developing your transferable, discipline-related and research skills. The TU Delft offers a customisable compensation package, discounts on health insurance, and a monthly work costs contribution. Flexible work schedules can be arranged.

• Hours per week: 32-40
• FTE: 1,0

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

The candidate is expected to start in March/April 2027.

Doing a PhD at TU Delft requires English proficiency at a certain level to ensure that the candidate is able to communicate and interact well, participate in English-taught Doctoral Education courses, and write scientific articles and a final thesis.

As part of knowledge security, TU Delft conducts a risk assessment during the recruitment of personnel. 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.