PhD Position in Ocean Dynamics and Climate Impacts from High-Resolution Models and Observations

Use cutting-edge high-resolution climate models and observations to uncover how Arctic Ocean circulation will evolve in the coming decades, and what this means for climate at lower latitudes.

Job description

Over the past decades, the Arctic Ocean circulation has changed significantly, in part due to a large reduction in the sea ice extent in the Northern hemisphere. The resulting ocean currents risk delivering a greater amount of fresh waters to the sub-Arctic regions, with potential impact on the sinking of North Atlantic Deep Waters and the global overturning circulation. This project will use global simulations with refined resolution over the Arctic Ocean to investigate the evolving interactions between ocean, atmosphere and sea ice in these regions, and consequences for key processes setting the climate at lower latitudes.

In this PhD research, you will analyze simulations that use spatially variable mesh refinement to explicitly resolve mesoscale eddies in the Arctic Ocean over decadal time scales under a realistic climate-emission scenario. These unique simulations will enable you to investigate how ocean eddies shape the transport of heat and salinity under past, present, and future climate conditions.

Your modelling work will be complemented by observational datasets from the Fram Strait, including ocean gliders, moored instruments, and satellite-based products. If desired, you will also have the opportunity to expand this dataset by participating in a research cruise in the Arctic Ocean.

You will join the Geoscience & Remote Sensing department (GRS) working closely with fellow PhD researchers, postdocs, and professors in an open and collaborative environment, where you will receive full support and training to grow in your career. This project is a collaboration between TU Delft and the Alfred Wegener Institute (Germany), offering the chance to work with leading experts in physical oceanography and climate science.

Job requirements

• Master's degree in Earth sciences, physics, applied mathematics, engineering, computer science or related discipline.
• Demonstrated interest in climate, oceanography, atmospheric science, or the cryosphere.
• Prior programming experience (e.g. Python, Matlab, C).
• Good organizational and communication skills.
• Ability to work independently as well as within a team.
• Good command of written and spoken English.

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.

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.

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 €2901 - €3707 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.

Additional information
If you would like more information about this vacancy or the selection procedure, please contact Mukund Gupta at Mukund.Gupta@tudelft.nl.