Postdoc in Digital Ocean Twins for Marine Energy Applications

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 Postdoctoral position offers a unique opportunity to contribute to this challenge by working on Digital Ocean Twins for Climate Change within leading European projects (EU-INTERCHANGE and EU-FUSION), led by Dr George Lavidas.

As a Postdoctoral Researcher, 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 wave modelling and the development of advanced frameworks for “what-if” scenario analysis.

You will use projections based on multiple realisations of CMIP6 and/or CMIP7 datasets, aligned with IPCC scenarios, to assess future wave climates and their implications. Your research will include high-resolution hindcasts and projections, wave energy resource assessments, climate change impact analyses, and the study of extreme events. 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 and PhD students.

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 offshore and coastal engineering 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

• A PhD in Civil Engineering, Physics, Oceanography, or a closely related field.
• Demonstrated expertise in numerical wave modelling (e.g. WAM, WWIII, SWAN).
• Experience with High Performance Computing (HPC) and large-scale data set analysis.
• Strong programming skills (e.g. Python, MATLAB) and familiarity with open-source practices.
• Excellent command of English (written and spoken).

Preferred

• Knowledge of CMIP datasets and climate scenarios.
• Experience or affinity with marine renewable energy applications.

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 as an employer

Delft University of Technology 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 & 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

• Duration of contract is 2 years. Temporary.
• 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). You can also 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.