Postdoc Surface Water Salinity Intrusion in the Ganges-Brahmaputra-Meghna Delta

Are you passionate about Estuarine Hydrodynamics and Coastal Ocean Modelling? Are you excited to study salt intrusion mechanisms and solutions in the world’s most complex delta? This post-doctoral research project at Delft University of Technology may be of interest.

Job description

Around the world, salinity intrusion in estuaries and deltas is increasing, threatening fresh water availability. This is also the case in the Ganges-Brahmaputra-Meghna (GBM) mega delta in Bangladesh, which is home to millions and among the most climate-vulnerable regions in the world. For future proof delta management, a thorough system understanding as well as science-based action perspectives on surface water salt intrusion are needed.

In this post-doctoral research project at Delft University of Technology in The Netherlands, with partners from Bangladesh (Institute of Water Management IWM, Bangladesh University of Engineering Technology BUET) and The Netherlands (Wageningen University & Research WUR, Deltares), you will investigate saltwater intrusion in the GBM-delta and changes therein for a range of scenarios, develop quantified system understanding on responsible mechanisms, and evaluate the effectiveness of potential solutions and mitigation strategies.

More specifically, you will investigate how salt intrusion in the South-Western part of the GBM-delta is affected by changes in forcing and system geometry, like sea level rise, changing river discharges and reservoir management, land subsidence, cyclones, channel deepening and land reclamations. For this, scenarios will be developed together with IWM and BUET. To simulate these scenarios, you will develop and exploit a 2D-3D numerical hydrodynamic model for the SW part of the GBM-delta using the state-of-the-art modelling software Delft3D-Flexible Mesh, for which you can build upon earlier modelling activities within the consortium. The model will be validated using both existing and new data acquired by various consortium partners.

Using the simulation results, you will investigate the main responsible salt dispersion mechanisms and differences therein throughout the SW GBM-delta and in time, with particular attention for the transport contribution of residual circulations in this system with many interconnected branches, and the effect of changes in tidal dynamics due to land reclamation. Based on the combined insights in drivers and dominant mechanisms of salt intrusion, the project aims to develop and evaluate potential salt intrusion mitigation strategies.

In this project, your supervisor at Delft University of Technology will be dr.ir. Wouter Kranenburg, and you will be part of the Section of Environmental Fluid Mechanics within the Department of Hydraulic Engineering. Other advisors and collaborators are prof.dr. Sara Nowreen (BUET), prof.dr. Ton Hoitink (WUR), Md. Abdulla Hel Kafi MSc (IWM), and dr. Sepehr Eslami (Deltares). At least one research visit to Bangladesh is foreseen.

This project is part of the research program COAST-Water-Solutions, a bilateral program funded by the Dutch Research Council NWO, aiming for co-creating appropriate strategies and technologies for sustainable water system management in the GBM mega-delta of Bangladesh, with work packages studying groundwater salinisation, surface water salinisation, agricultural and drinking water availability, climate resilient pathways and a Living Lab from both natural and social science perspectives.

Job requirements

For this postdoc project, the Section of Environmental Fluid Mechanics within the Department of Hydraulic Engineering at Delft University of Technology is looking for a candidate with a strong background in numerical modelling of environmental fluid dynamics, physical oceanography or hydraulic engineering, strongly motivated to study salinity intrusion mechanisms and solutions in the world’s most complex delta.

• A PhD degree, preferably in Physical Oceanography, Numerical Modelling of Estuaries or Shelf Seas, Hydraulic Engineering, Physical Geography, Meteorology, Physics, Mathematics, or a related field.
• Experience with numerical modelling of circulation and transport, preferably related to estuaries or coastal seas.
• A strong proven affinity with physical processes behind circulation and transport, preferably related to hydrodynamics in estuaries or coastal seas.
• Excellent ability to think conceptually and quantitatively.
• Excellent ability to communicate in English both in speech and in writing.
• Excellent ability to function in multidisciplinary, diverse and multi-cultural groups.
• Good organisational skills and ability to work independently and in a team.

We are looking for a candidate with curiosity, motivation, a relevant background and a hands on mentality.

TU Delft (Delft University of Technology)

Working at TU Delft means contributing to solutions that really make a difference.

At TU Delft, our people make the difference. With their knowledge and curiosity, staff provide high-quality education and conduct pioneering research that extends beyond the campus. You will have the opportunity to take the initiative, work with others, and grow as a professional.

Working at TU Delft means joining an international community of professionals and students. Together, they create knowledge, innovations, and solutions that help move the world forward.

Faculty of Civil Engineering & 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. Its research feeds into educational programmes and covers societal challenges such as climate change, energy transition, resource availability, urbanisation and clean water. 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.

Conditions of employment

• Duration of contract is 18 months. Temporary external finance.
• The funding of this project covers a full-time position for 18 months.
• A part-time contract (0.6/0.8 fte) for a longer period is also a serious option, especially if there is evident connection and synergy with other working activities.
• Salary and benefits are in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities.
• An excellent pension scheme via the ABP.
• The possibility to compile an individual employment package every year.
• Discount with health insurers on supplemental packages.
• Flexible working week.
• Every year, 232 leave hours (at 38 hours), with the option to sell or buy additional leave hours via the individual choice budget.
• Plenty of opportunities for education, training and courses.
• Partially paid parental leave.
• Attention for working healthy and energetically with the vitality program.