Postdoc: multi-risk adaptation pathways for river delta systems

Sport Society; Utrecht; On-site; EUR 44,000 - 69,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Holiday pay 8%

Year-end bonus 8.3%

Pension scheme

Flexible terms of employment

Job summary

Utrecht University seeks a collaborative postdoctoral researcher to design robust multi-risk adaptation pathways for complex delta systems. You will collaborate with decision‑makers in the Netherlands to characterize risks and trade‑offs among sectors and to develop method‑heavy pathways that navigate uncertainty.

You will evaluate your approach against current adaptive pathway planning and disseminate results through stakeholder meetings, conferences, and journals, contributing to

Qualifications

• Must have a PhD in Civil Engineering, Earth Science, Environmental Science, (Socio-) Hydrology, Physical Geography, or a related field.
• Peer‑reviewed publication record in one or more of the mentioned fields.
• Willingness to integrate stakeholder engagement with quantitative system modelling.

Responsibilities

• Design robust multi‑risk adaptation pathways for complex delta systems.
• Characterize current and future risks in the Dutch delta with decision‑makers.
• Develop methods for designing adaptation pathways and evaluate them against state‑of‑the‑art approaches.
• Share results in stakeholder meetings, scientific conferences and journals.

Skills

Systems modeling

Python programming

Scientific writing

English communication

Stakeholder engagement

Education

PhD in Civil Engineering

PhD in Earth Science

Tools

Python

Job description

River delta regions worldwide are increasingly threatened by sea-level rise and extreme hydrological events. Water managers must adapt to these hazards while balancing competing sectoral priorities, such as maintaining clean and affordable drinking water supplies, minimizing flood damage, and preserving ecosystems.

The Dynamic Adaptive Pathways Planning for Multi-Risk (DAPP-MR) framework helps decision-makers navigate these challenges by identifying low-regret near-term actions and avoiding costly decision lock-ins. Building on this framework, this position focuses on designing robust multi-risk pathways for complex multi-sectoral delta systems.

In this 2-year postdoc, you will explore new approaches for developing multi-risk adaptation pathways that inform robust decision-making while balancing multi‑sectoral trade‑offs. You will start by working with decision‑makers and stakeholders in the Netherlands to characterize current and future risks in the Dutch delta and identify trade‑offs between sectoral priorities. You will then develop methods for designing adaptation pathways that navigate these risks, and evaluate your approach against state‑of‑the‑art adaptive pathway planning. You will share your results in stakeholder meetings, scientific conferences, and academic journals. Your work will help Dutch water managers plan adaptation under uncertainty and contribute approaches that can be transferred to deltas worldwide.

We are looking for an enthusiastic and collaborative postdoctoral researcher with a strong technical background and a motivation to make climate adaptation research useful to society.

• Must-have criteria:
  a PhD in Civil Engineering, Earth Science, Environmental Science, (Socio-) Hydrology, Physical Geography, or a related field;
• has proven knowledge and peer-reviewed publication record in one or more of the above-mentioned fields;
• shows a willingness to integrate insights from stakeholder engagement and participatory research with quantitative system modelling of our research group;
• experience with systems modeling and computer programming (e.g. Python);
• strong communication and scientific writing skills in English.

Helpful criteria:

• experience with Dynamic Adaptive Pathways Planning or other methods from Decision Making Under Deep Uncertainty;
• experience using Multi-objective Optimization;
• experience working with stakeholders on climate adaptation decision‑making;
• interest in highly interdisciplinary collaborations.

Our offer

We offer:

• a position ( 1.0 FTE) for 24-36 months.
• a working week of 36 - 40 hours and a gross monthly salary between €3.706 and €5.760 (salary scale 10 under the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities (CAO NU)). The salary is based on a 38-hour working week;
• 8% holiday pay and 8.3% year-end bonus;
• a pension scheme, partially paid parental leave and flexible terms of employment based on the CAO NU.

In addition to the terms of employment set out in our collectivelabouragreement, we offer attractiveadditionalbenefits, including opportunities for personal and professional growth , flexibleleavearrangements,and extravacationdays. Through the UU Terms of Employment Options Model, you can tailor your employment package to your needs. In this way, we encourage you to grow in what you do, both in your work and in your development.

About us

A better future for everyone. This ambition motivates our scientists in executing their leading research and inspiring teaching. At Utrecht University , the various disciplines collaborate intensively towards major strategic themes . Our focus is on Dynamics of Youth, Institutions for Open Societies, Life Sciences and Pathways to Sustainability. Sharing science, shaping tomorrow .

Utrecht University’s Faculty of Geosciences studies the Earth: from the Earth’s core to its surface, including man’s spatial and material utilisation of the Earth – always with a focus on sustainability and innovation. With 3,400 students (BSc and MSc) and 720 staff, the faculty is a strong and challenging organisation. The Faculty of Geosciences is organised in four Departments: Earth Sciences, Human Geography & Spatial Planning, Physical Geography, and Sustainable Development.

More information

For more information about this position, please contact David Gold

Candidates for this vacancy will be recruited by Utrecht University.

Knowledge security screening can be part of the selection procedures of academic staff. We do this, among other things, to prevent the unwanted transfer of sensitive knowledge and technology.

The first round of interviews will take place on the week of 30 November, 2026.

If you have an international (non-Dutch) Master’s diploma, you will be requested to provide your Bachelor’s and Master’s diplomas as well as the corresponding grade lists (in English) if you are selected for this position.

Note that international candidates that need a visa/work permit for the Netherlands require at least four months processing time after selection and acceptance. This will be arranged with help of the International Service Desk (ISD) of our university. Finding appropriate housing in or near Utrecht is your own responsibility, but the ISD may be able to advise you therewith. Unfortunately, we must warn that it is a tight market at the moment. In case of general questions about working and living in The Netherlands, please consult the Dutch Mobility Portal .

The application deadline is 16 November 2026.