Offer Description
Maintenance dredging of sediment deposits can be highly expensive as it must be done on a regular basis. Therefore, port authorities seek tailor-made solutions to reduce the costs and at the same time guarantee safe navigation in ports and waterways. Over the last decades, a number of strategies for port maintenance have been tested by ports and governmental authorities. Typical strategies for dredged sediment management are either based on reallocating the dredged sediment to sea or on fluidizing and keeping sediment in the water system by means of new dredging with nature concepts (e.g., Tiamat and WID). In this context, Harwich Haven Authority is looking for additional knowledge regarding sediments in view of the implementation of new strategies for the maintenance of the Port of Felixstowe (PoF). The developed knowledge will be used to adapt the PIANC’s nautical bottom concept and optimize the chosen maintenance dredging strategy in the harbour.
Typical research questions that will be addressed are:
- What are the material properties of the clayey material found in the harbour? These properties (in particular, yield stress, viscosity, shear strength) are strongly corelated to the composition of the sediment. A systematic analysis will therefore be performed in order to map the physico-chemical properties of deposited sediment. A combination of in-situ monitoring and laboratory characterization will be performed. The comparison between lab and field data will also enable to better calibrate in-situ equipment for the nautical bottom applications;
- Can siltation and the nautical bottom be predicted, in relation to port maintenance strategies and the different vessels using the harbour? The properties determined in the first point will serve as input for numerical studies that will be used to answer these questions, in collaboration with HR Wallingford.
At the end of the study, Harwich Haven Authority will be provided with recommendations regarding the critical limit of density and yield stress required for implementing the nautical bottom concept in the port.
Requirements
Specific Requirements
We are looking for a candidate with
- a Master of Science (MSc) in Civil Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Maritime Engineering or any other related field with affinity for sediment characterization and rheology;
- willingness to perform laboratory and in situ work. In particular, the candidate should be willing to acquire new skills for applying in-situ charachterizarion methods;
- good communication and reporting skills;
- validated TOEFL or IELTS English proficiency tests. The minimum requirement of an TOEFL score of 100 or IELTS of 7.0. Native speakers will be exempt from the English test requirement, as well as, in principle, non-native applicants who have obtained an English-taught Master’s degree. For more details please check the Graduate Schools Admission Requirements.
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. For more details please check the Graduate Schools Admission Requirements.
Additional Information
Benefits
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 € 2770 per month in the first year to € 3539 in the fourth year. 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.
For international applicants, TU Delft has the Coming to Delft Service. This service provides information for new international employees to help you prepare the relocation and to settle in the Netherlands. The Coming to Delft Service offers a Dual Career Programme for partners and they organise events to expand your (social) network.
Selection process
Are you interested in this vacancy? Please apply before 21 January 2023 via the application button and upload your motivation and CV.
- You can apply online. We will not process applications sent by email and/or post.
- A pre-Employment screening can be part of the selection procedure.
- Please do not contact us for unsolicited services.
Additional comments
For more information about this vacancy, please contact dr. Alex Kirichek, e-mail:Â o.kirichek@tudelft.nl.
Website for additional job details: https://www.academictransfer.com/335955/
