Do you want to help restore the oyster reefs in the North Sea?
Job description
Reefs serve as carriers of biodiversity but have been largely lost in the North Sea. Restoration is complex and currently primarily conducted at a small research scale. Achieving impactful reef restoration requires upscaling, which demands different knowledge and a different approach. Therefore, Rifherstel-XL (Reef Restoration-XL) will focus on practical learning and deepening the knowledge base on practical experience. The questions it aims to answer primarily concern the development and optimization of large?'scale reef restoration methods. To this end, we will actively initiate and facilitate reef restoration, and compare different approaches with respect to the establishment of reef?'forming species, biodiversity restoration, and implementation costs. The program consists of a construction and a monitoring phase.
We have a challenging postdoc position available at TU Delft for the first phase. You will help to develop structures that will be placed on the sea floor that should kickstart the growth of oyster reefs in the North Sea. In 2027 the real size structures will be placed on the seabed by offshore vessels. Before this, you will calculate their stability and conduct physical model tests on this as well. You are expected to first help test the designs, such that the project can start with construction of the full scale prototypes, after which you will lead the writing of a scientific article on this work. A small part of the project is conducting tests on the strength of real life trees that will be used as part of one of the type of reef?'structures. You will also give design advice regarding the full?'scale structures.
This position is within the globally recognized Department of Hydraulic Engineering (HE), known for its education, research, and career development, addressing key challenges like climate change, energy transition, and biodiversity. The department has cutting?'edge research facilities, a collaborative culture, and a diverse team, including 68 permanent staff and over 100 PhD students and postdocs driving innovative research.
The project is conducted by a multidisciplinary consortium including ecological, oceanographic, marine construction and nature conservation organizations, led by the Royal Netherlands Institute for Sea Research, NIOZ. From TU Delft, you will frequently interact with the rest of the research team to make the project a success.
Job requirements
- A PhD degree in Hydraulic Engineering, Marine Engineering, Earth system Science or related discipline.
- Experience with physical (wave) modelling is required.
- Being available at short notice (order of months) is required.
- An excellent ability to think conceptually and quantitatively.
- An excellent ability to write and communicate in English.
- An intrinsic motivation to cooperate in a larger project.
- Prior knowledge of wave hydrodynamics.
- Good organization skills.
TU Delft (Delft University of Technology)
Delft University of Technology is built on strong foundations. As creators of the world?'famous Dutch waterworks and pioneers in biotech, TU Delft is a top international university combining science, engineering and design. It delivers world class results in education, research and innovation to address challenges in the areas of energy, climate, mobility, health and digital society. For generations, our engineers have proven to be entrepreneurial problem?'solvers, both in business and in a social context.
At TU Delft we embrace diversity as one of our core values and we actively engage to be a university where you feel at home and can flourish. We value different perspectives and qualities. We believe this makes our work more innovative, the TU Delft community more vibrant and the world more just. Together we imagine, invent and create solutions using technology to have a positive impact on a global scale. That is why we invite you to apply. Your application will receive fair consideration.
Challenge. Change. Impact!
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.
Additional information
- Due to the strict timeline of the ambitious project timely availability is required.
- If qualified, but the candidate has the required experience (and an MSc), a non?'postdoc position can be considered.
- ).
- Motivation letter (approx 1 page)
- CV
Make sure to include in your motivation letter (and/or CV) examples of projects/experience and references to your own technical writing in which you demonstrate your skills (and enthusiasm) relevant to this position.
Interviews are planned on Tuesday 20 January 2026.
Please note:
- As part of knowledge security, TU Delft conducts a risk assessment during the recruitment of personnel. We do this, among other things, to prevent the unwanted transfer of sensitive knowledge and technology. 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. The processing of personal data in the context of the risk assessment is carried on the legal basis of the GDPR: performing a public task in the public interest. You can find more information about this assessment on our website about .
- Please do not contact us for unsolicited services