Lab manager Hydraulic Engineering Laboratory

Join TU Delft to lead a unique hydraulic engineering laboratory supporting cutting-edge research, fieldwork and education.

Job description

About the lab

The Hydraulic Engineering Laboratory plays a key role in supporting world-class research and education within the department. The lab focuses on the hydraulics of offshore, riverine, estuarine, and coastal systems, contributing directly to major societal challenges such as aging infrastructure, the energy transition, and climate adaptation.

With a surface area of approximately 2,500 m², the lab offers a unique combination of indoor and field facilities. Indoor activities focus on medium-scale experiments, including shallow water flows, turbulence, sediment and plastic transport, and wave and flow loads on hydraulic structures. In addition, the lab supports extensive field measurements in the Netherlands and internationally, using advanced instruments, monitoring stations, drones, and field equipment.

Your role

As Lab Manager, you will lead the strategic and operational development of the Hydraulic Engineering Laboratory. You translate the department’s vision into a future-proof lab environment, strengthening safety, efficiency, collaboration, and impact in research and education.

You play a central role in positioning the lab internally and externally, while fostering a strong, supportive team culture and ensuring high-quality technical delivery. You lead a skilled technical team and are responsible for their development. You also personally contribute to the design and execution of experiments in the lab and field.

Your responsibilities

• Ensure safe, compliant, and well-coordinated lab and field operations.
• Lead and support a team of six dedicated technicians, fostering collaboration, well-being, and professional development.
• Develop and implement a multi-year plan for the lab’s development, including facilities, processes, safety, and team growth.
• Ensure proper budgeting and healthy finances.
• Act as a bridge between researchers and technical staff, supporting the preparation and execution of research projects.
• Align with faculty and university-wide policies and collaborate with other laboratories to share knowledge and best practices.
• Contribute to departmental strategy and decision-making as part of the department board.

While this role does not require a scientific publication record, you are expected to operate at a high technical level and stay connected to developments in the field, ensuring continuous innovation of the lab.

Job requirements

We are looking for a candidate who combines strong technical expertise with the ability to lead and further develop a laboratory environment and team.

• You have experience in leading or coordinating a technical team, with a clear vision on developing people, processes, and lab performance.
• You have a solid technical background in Hydraulic Engineering or a closely related field, and experience with experimental work. Experience with fieldwork is highly desired.
• You hold an MSc or PhD degree in civil, mechanical, or electrical engineering, or applied physics.
• You are able to translate strategy into concrete plans and actionable tasks.
• You are familiar with safety standards and regulations (HSE) in a laboratory and field environment.
• You work effectively at the interface of research, technology and organisation, collaborating with managers, academics, technicians, lecturers and students.
• You communicate clearly in English and feel comfortable in an international and diverse working environment, with preference for candidates who know Dutch or are willing to learn.
• You are able to prioritise strategically and deliver high-impact improvements within a 0.5 FTE role.

We welcome applications from candidates who may not meet every requirement but are eager to contribute, learn, and grow in this role.

TU Delft (Delft University of Technology)

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.

Faculty of Civil Engineering and Geosciences

The Faculty of Civil Engineering and Geosciences is committed to outstanding international research and education in civil engineering, applied earth sciences, traffic and transport, water technology, and delta technology. Its research addresses societal challenges such as climate change, energy transition, resource availability, urbanisation and clean water.