PhD Position in Marine Renewables: Energy and Societal Impacts under Climate Change

PhD Position in Marine Renewables: Energy and Societal Impacts under Climate Change: Join TU Delft to model the future ocean. Work on Digital Ocean Twins and climate scenarios shaping marine energy and coastal resilience across Europe.

Job description

Climate change is transforming our oceans: reshaping wave climates, marine renewable energy potential, and coastal systems. This PhD position offers a unique opportunity to contribute to this challenge by working on resilient future energy systems and their societal impacts under Climate Change (EU-INTERCHANGE, EU-FUSION), led by Dr George Lavidas.

As a PhD candidate, you will join the Marine Renewable Energies Lab at TU Delft and work within an interdisciplinary and international research team. Your work will focus on high-fidelity Energy System Modelling (ESM), and the development of coupled pwathway frameworks for “what-if” scenario analysis derived by Integrated Assessment Models (IAM).

You will develop different pathways based on multiple realisations of CMIP6 and/or CMIP7 datasets, aligned with IPCC scenarios, to assess their future implications on energy systems and societal indicators (such as GDP, etc). Your research will include developing new modules in ESM, IAM and active coupling between them, comprehensive econometric analysis and development of pathways based on what-if scenarios. A key component of your work will be integrating these insights into the European Digital Ocean platform (EDITO).

You will collaborate closely with academic and industry partners across Europe, contributing to joint research activities and project deliverables.

In addition to your research, you will:

• Contribute to the coordination of project activities and ensure timely delivery of milestones.
• Publish in leading scientific journals and present at international conferences.
• Engage with project partners through reporting and collaboration.
• Support the supervision of MSc students, and assist in teaching.

We are looking for a researcher who can work both independently and collaboratively, with strong organisational and communication skills, and a proactive approach to research and teamwork.

You will be part of the Marine Renewable Energies Lab, a dynamic group of researchers working at the forefront of Marine Renewables within the Offshore Engineering Section of the Department of Hydraulic Engineering at TU Delft. The lab is known for its interdisciplinary approach and strong links to European research initiatives.

Through this role, you will also collaborate with colleagues from Coastal Engineering, contributing to advancing marine renewable energy and coastal resilience in the face of climate change.

Job requirements

Required:

• An MSc in Civil Engineering, Mechanical, Electrical, or a closely related field.
• Demonstrated expertise in ESM and IAM.
• Experience with High Performance Computing (HPC) and large-scale dataset analysis.
• Strong programming skills (e.g. Python, MATLAB) and familiarity with FAIR open source practices.
• Excellent command of English (written and spoken).
• Doing a PhD at TU Delft requires English proficiency at a certain level to ensure that the candidate is able to communicate and interact well, participate in English-taught Doctoral Education courses, and write scientific articles and a final thesis.

Preferred:

• Knowledge of CMIP datasets and climate scenarios
• Experience with marine renewable energy applications in ESM

Personal profile:

• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively within interdisciplinary teams.
• Strong organisational skills and a proactive approach to research.
• Interest in application-driven research with real-world impact.
• Enthusiasm for sharing research through scientific publications, conferences, and broader outreach.
• Comfortable working in an international research environment and collaborating with external partners.

TU Delft (Delft University of Technology)

At TU Delft, our people make the difference. With their knowledge and curiosity, our staff provide a 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 join an international community of professionals and students.

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.

Conditions of employment

Doctoral candidates will be offered a 4-year period of employment in principle, but in the form of 2 employment contracts. An initial 1,5 year contract with an official go/no go progress assessment within 15 months. Followed by an additional contract for the remaining 2,5 years assuming everything goes well and performance requirements are met.

Salary and benefits are in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities, increasing from €3204 - €4051 gross per month, from the first year to the fourth year based on a fulltime contract (38 hours), plus 8% holiday allowance and an end-of-year bonus of 8.3%.

As a PhD candidate you will be enrolled in the TU Delft Graduate School. The TU Delft Graduate School provides an inspiring research environment with an excellent team of supervisors, academic staff and a mentor. The Doctoral Education Programme is aimed at developing your transferable, discipline-related and research skills.

The TU Delft offers a customisable compensation package, discounts on health insurance, and a monthly work costs contribution. Flexible work schedules can be arranged.

• Hours per week: 32-38
• FTE: 1,0

Will you need to relocate to the Netherlands for this job? TU Delft is committed to make your move as smooth as possible! The HR unit, Coming to Delft Service, offers information on their website to help you prepare your relocation. In addition, Coming to Delft Service organises events to help you settle in the Netherlands, and expand your (social) network in Delft. A Dual Career Programme is available, to support your accompanying partner with their job search in the Netherlands.

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.