Postdoc in Tsunami Engineering

Delft; Delft; On-site; EUR 42,000 - 54,000; Full time

Job summary

TU Delft seeks a highly motivated Postdoctoral Researcher in Tsunami Engineering to analyse experimental data and develop new insights into how tsunamis interact with coastlines and structures. You will publish results and contribute to codes of practice.

The role involves collaborations across international partners, using OpenSEES and the VDPO toolkit to translate findings into structural impact assessments, with strong emphasis on disseminating knowledge through publications and outreach.

Qualifications

• PhD in Civil (Hydraulic) Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or closely related discipline; submission by start date.
• Strong data processing, signal analysis, and programming skills (Python/Matlab).
• Proven ability to publish scientific journal papers.
• Ability to work independently and in multi-disciplinary teams.
• Fluent in English (oral and written).
• Availability to start on or before January 2027.

Responsibilities

• Analyse data from tsunami experiments to gain new insights and publish findings.
• Disseminate results through academic publications and outreach materials.
• Translate insights into structural load assessments using OpenSEES and the VDPO toolkit.
• Collaborate with international researchers across multiple institutions.

Skills

Data processing

Signal analysis

Programming (Python/Matlab)

Publishing papers

Independent work

English fluency

Education

PhD in Civil (Hydraulic) Eng / Mechanical Eng or related

Tools

OpenSEES

VDPO toolkit

Job description

Work on globally unique experimental data to shape understanding of tsunami inundation of coastlines and interaction with buildings.

Tsunami engineering is a field that has grown rapidly over the last 22 years, spurred by a number of devastating events. In particular, the 2004 Indian Ocean Tsunami that devastated coastlines across the Indian Ocean and killed over 230,000 people across 14 countries, resulted in a significant worldwide effort towards a better characterisation of tsunami induced scour and forces on structures. The subsequent 2010 Maule earthquake and tsunami in Chile and 2011 Tohoku Earthquake and Tsunami in Japan, which damaged numerous modern engineered buildings, industrial facilities, bridges and large coastal defence infrastructure, resulted in the revision of building codes for tsunami design and the development of analytical methods for assessing buildings under tsunami loads. Despite this growth in activity, there are still many areas of tsunami interactions with the built environment that are not well understood.

We are looking for an enthusiastic and talented Postdoctoral Researcher to join the Hydraulic Engineering Department at TU Delft and contribute to this global effort in advancing Tsunami Engineering.

This role specifically aims to build insights from the extensive tsunami experimental programmes already conducted under the ERC funded URBANWAVES project and in the MAKEWAVES project. In both projects, experiments were conducted in very large flumes at HR Wallingford (UK) using a pneumatic tsunami simulator that is globally unique in its capacity to generate waves with representative tsunami wavelengths. The experiments involved the simulation of tsunami of different form and wavelengths propagating along the flume, running up a beach and interacting with engineered coastal defence structures, natural defences, single and multiple buildings with different characteristics founded on solid and mobile sediment beds. This rich dataset has only been partly published and presents a unique opportunity to develop new knowledge and insights on both the physics of these destructive waves and their interaction with the built and natural environment.

In this role, you will analyse data sets from the experimental programmes to develop new insights, which you will disseminate through academic publications and outreach materials aimed at influencing the development of future codes of practice. For the latter, new insights into loading on structures may also be translated into structural response impacts using the structural analysis software OpenSEES and the bespoke VDPO toolkit for tsunami analysis of structures developed by the group. For this work, beyond TU Delft, you will need to collaborate with a wider consortium of international researchers, academics and engineers that contributed to the experimental campaigns (i.e. from University College London, HR Wallingford, London Southbank University, Imperial College. University of Naples Federico II, and others).

Our team promotes a healthy and collaborative work environment where diverse perspectives are valued, and where you will receive full support to develop your skills and expertise, including mentoring, opportunities to co-supervise students, and access to TU Delft’s training programme.

This vacancy is positioned within the globally recognized Department of Hydraulic Engineering (HE), known for its excellence in education, research, and career development, addressing key challenges like climate change, energy transition, and biodiversity loss. The department boasts cutting-edge facilities, a collaborative culture, and a diverse team, including 68 permanent staff, and over 100 PhD students and postdocs driving innovative research.

Job requirements

We are looking for a highly motivated candidate with the following qualifications:

• A PhD in Civil (Hydraulic) Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a closely related discipline. n.b. PhD thesis must have been submitted by start of the appointment.
• Strong skills in data processing, signal analysis, and programming (e.g. Python/Matlab)
• Demonstrated experience in publishing scientific journal papers
• Ability to work well independently as well as in a multi-disciplinary team.
• Fluent in English (oral and written).
• Availability to start on or before January 2027.

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,urbanisationand clean water. Our research projects are conductedin 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

• Duration of contract is 24 months. Temporary.
• A job of 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.
• 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. .

Faculty/Department: Faculty of Civil Engineering and Geosciences

FTE: 1,0

Submission is possible until: 1 Sep 2026