We are looking for a consultant/researcher who will help to achieve our ambition to establish a national and international reputation as top expert in marine and coastal systems.
The job
Your main activities are to perform research and specialist advice (tailored to our customers) in the field of soft sediments:
- Key in our projects is the understanding of the processes around the water-bed interface. We expect the candidate to fully understand the behaviour of the water-bed interface. This behaviour is governed by hydrodynamic processes and soil mechanical processes, affected by strong gradients in chemical properties, biological activity, etc.
- Progress in Deltares’ capabilities in this field requires an interdisciplinary approach, integrating various disciplines. A necessary step in this is to enhance our understanding and improve the quantification of the mechanical behaviour of soft to very soft sediments, as encountered at the water-bed interface, in slurries, and building with soft sediments. This mechanical behaviour is generally treated by the discipline of rheology at an integrated scale, and by colloid science at a micro-scale. The structure of sediment flocs and their dynamics is a key element, as the soil’s structure largely affects its mechanical behaviour. With respect to chemistry, our current focus is on the role of pH and salinity, but also the role of iron compounds, etc, have to be included.
- We anticipate that further steps require a strong laboratory and modelling component merging hydrodynamic and soil mechanic ingredients.
- Because this work is at the edge of the current state-of-the-art, close collaboration with the academic world is a must.
In addition to these research activities you will:
- Assist in writing reports, acquiring projects (e.g. writing proposals), visit clients and perform presentations;
- Actively increase the network and cooperation of the department with other groups inside and outside of Deltares.
Job qualifications
You are an ambitious person who is eager to further develop the interface between the disciplines of hydrodynamics and soil mechanics.
- You have an MSc / PhD in a related subject, and experience in working at this interface between disciplines, but also at the interface between the commercial and academic world.
- You are trained in carrying out experiments and modelling, translating the results to real world applications.
- As Deltares works across the world, you have an affinity to work in an international setting.
- You are a team player and can build interdisciplinary collaborations;
- You are an entrepreneur and a good networker, you have a pro-active approach towards the market and you appreciate a challenge;
- You have excellent English language skills, both speaking and writing, and are willing to learn Dutch;
The team
The Marine and Coastal Systems unit aims at enabling innovative management and sustainable development of marine and coastal zones. Extensive knowledge of coastal processes, advanced modelling tools and a systems approach constitute the state-of-the-art basis for multidisciplinary research and specialised consultancy, executed for a diversity of clients (government agencies, consultants, contractors, industry, universities, research funds). The unit consists of five departments, is staffed by some 100 highly-qualified and committed professionals. The department of Ecosystems and Sediment Dynamics is part of this unit and consists of 20 persons.
We offer
You will work on challenging, national and international projects related to building with mud (soft sediments, slurries) for ecosystem restoration and / or flood risk management and projects related to the behaviour of soft sediment for industrial applications. We offer an informal, dynamic and challenging working environment. Your personal development and building your curriculum is important to us. Therefore we offer excellent training opportunities and future perspective. You will be part of a team of advisors and researchers who work in close cooperation with each other. The position will be based in Delft.
Interested?
Are you interested in this job and do you fit the job qualifications? Then apply directly via the Deltares website.
For more information about this vacancy, you can contact Ankie Bruens (department manager) via This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or (+31) 088 335 8494.
Please note, all applications should be submitted via the Deltares website. Applications via other channels will not be taken into consideration.
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Key words: Soft sediment, mud, hydrodynamic processes, soil mechanical processes.
Acquisition regarding this vacancy is not appreciated.
