PhD Position in Ocean - Sea Ice Interactions

Delft University of Technology (TU Delft); Netherlands; On-site; EUR 36,000 - 45,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

8% holiday allowance

End-of-year bonus 8.3%

Customisable compensation package

Discounts on health insurance

Monthly work costs contribution

Relocation assistance

Job summary

Delft University of Technology (TU Delft) invites applications for a fully-funded PhD position in the Faculty of Civil Engineering and Geosciences. The project focuses on coupled ocean and sea-ice processes, using LES and DEM frameworks to improve climate model parameterizations.

The successful candidate will work within the ERC ICE-FLOE project, collaborate with TU Delft and international partners, and may participate in a research cruise in Antarctica.

Qualifications

• Master's degree in Earth sciences, oceanography, physics, applied mathematics, or engineering.
• Demonstrated research experience in climate, oceanography, the cryosphere, or atmospheric science.
• Interest in the intersection of solid/fluid mechanics.
• Experience with Julia programming language is an advantage but not required.
• Ability to work independently.
• Excellent command of written and spoken English.
• Ability to start the position in January-March 2027 (with some flexibility).

Skills

Independent work

English

Solid/fluids

Julia language

Education

Master's degree

Job description

Delft University of Technology (TU Delft)

Organisation/Company Delft University of Technology (TU Delft) Research Field Engineering » Civil engineering Engineering » Maritime engineering Environmental science » Earth science Environmental science » Global change Researcher Profile First Stage Researcher (R1) Application Deadline 3 Nov 2026 - 22:59 (UTC) Country Netherlands Type of Contract Temporary Job Status Not Applicable Hours Per Week 38.0 Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme? Not funded by a EU programme Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure? No

Offer Description

Deploy detailed models of coupled ocean / sea ice processes, probe their turbulent interactions, compare with observations, and design parameterizations for global climate models.

Job description

The past decades have been associated with substantial losses of sea ice over both hemispheres. Existing climate models are currently unable to accurately forecast these changes, in part due to their imperfect representation of ocean and sea ice interactions at sub-grid scales.

This project aims to improve our physical understanding of these fine-scale processes, including the melting and breakage of sea ice, using a framework consisting of an ocean Large Eddy Simulation (LES) and a Discrete Element Model (DEM) of sea ice. Results from these simulations will be validated against a combination of in-situ and remote sensing data from both the Arctic and Antarctic sea ice regions. Based on this new understanding, the candidate will develop parameterizations that can emulate these physics for use in more coarsely-resolved climate models.

This fully-funded position is part of the European Research Council (ERC) 'ICE-FLOE' project, and will involve collaborations with other team members at TU Delft and internationally. There may also be the opportunity to assist with a research cruise in Antarctica.

Job requirements

• Master's degree in Earth sciences, oceanography, physics, applied mathematics, or engineering.
• Demonstrated research experience in climate, oceanography, the cryosphere, or atmospheric science.
• Interest in the intersection of solid/fluid mechanics.
• Experience working with the Julia programming language is an advantage but not required.
• Ability to work independently.
• Excellent command of written and spoken English.
• Ability to start the position in January-March 2027 (with some flexibility).

TU Delft (Delft University of Technology)

Working at TU Delft means contributing to solutions that really make a difference.

For over 180 years, we have been training engineers who make an impact worldwide in companies, government bodies, or as entrepreneurs. Our alumni turn knowledge into concrete solutions for the challenges of today and tomorrow. These challenges are changing rapidly. That is why we focus on themes such as energy, climate, digitalisation, artificial intelligence (AI), and smart mobility every day. Our education and research are directly aligned with what society needs now and in the future.

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. Together, we create knowledge, innovations, and solutions that help move the world forward.

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.

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.

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 Mukund Gupta, [e-mail].