Postdoc on Hydraulic Infrastructure and Flood Risk Modelling

Challenge: Managing flood risk in vulnerable interconnected regions.

Change: Advancing hydraulic modelling and NBS for resilience.

Impact: Protecting communities with smarter adaptive strategies.

Despite significant progress in flood risk management, the Netherlands remains highly vulnerable to flooding. The devastating events of 2021 and 2023 were powerful reminders of this risk and underscored the urgent need to strengthen community resilience. The Euregio Meuse-Rhine (EMR) region is of particular concern, as its international context adds further complexity to flood preparedness and demands shared approaches and coordinated responses.

To address these challenges, the Hydraulic Engineering Department at TU Delft is seeking a motivated and experienced Postdoctoral Researcher. In this role, you will investigate how innovative water retention solutions (particularly nature-based approaches) can enhance resilience, combined with a detailed assessment of the performance of critical hydraulic infrastructure during extreme events. You will develop and test new tools to improve flood prediction, strengthen risk assessment, and support the implementation of effective flood management strategies across the EMR. You will also develop and benchmark modelling techniques, explore technical, economic, and operational trade-offs, and create decision-support tools to help stakeholders design effective and adaptive flood risk management strategies. This work will be demonstrated in real-world case studies, ensuring that research outcomes directly inform both long-term planning and short-term emergency response.

As a Postdoc in our team, you will work at the intersection of Hydraulic Engineering and Climate Adaptation, fostering synergies between the Faculties of Civil Engineering and Geosciences and Technology, Policy, and Management. You will collaborate with leading European universities, local authorities, and international partners through strategic initiatives such as Interreg Flood Wisdom and the Pandemic & Disaster Preparedness Center (PDPC). This position offers a unique opportunity to combine fundamental research with real-world application, creating the tools, knowledge, and strategies needed to better protect communities from the floods of tomorrow. Our team promotes a healthy and collaborative work environment where diverse perspectives are valued, and where you will be supported to bring out the best of yourself.

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 and energy transition. 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.

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

• A PhD in Civil Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a closely related discipline. Candidates with a background in Technology, Policy and Management who demonstrate strong links to Hydraulic Engineering are also encouraged to apply.
• Demonstrated experience and skills in one or more of the following areas: Flood modelling, Hydraulic Engineering, Hydraulic Structures, or Flood Resilience.
• Ability to work well independently as well as in a multi-disciplinary team.
• Fluent in English (oral and written). Knowledge of Dutch, German or French is a plus.
• Availability to start preferably in January 2026.

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!

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.

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• A cover letter (1 page) describing your motivation and qualifications for the position.

Please note:

• You can apply online. We will not process applications sent by email and/or post.
• A pre-employment screening can be part of the selection procedure.
• For the final candidates, a knowledge security check will be part of the application procedure. For more information on this check, please consult Chapter 8 of the National Knowledge Security Guidelines. We carry out this check on the basis of legitimate interest.
• Please do not contact us for unsolicited services.