Much of the freshwater sustaining human societies is generated in the mountains: the mountain cryosphere (frozen water in snow, glaciers and permafrost) supports almost a third of the global population for irrigation, drinking, industry and the environment, and this dependance is set to increase. Understanding the mountain processes that shape global water availability is a key missing link to address sustainable water use.
Your job
At the same time, this crucial resource is undergoing unprecedented changes, with precipitation patterns changing, glaciers shrinking and snowpacks decreasing globally. These changes may happen abruptly and in a non-linear way and the aim of the overall project is to understand these abrupt changes in mountain ranges all over the world.
As a PhD you will focus on the Himalaya, and you will combine detailed land-surface modelling with field observations and remote sensing to quantify and understand the impact of these non-linear changes on the mountain water cycle. Your outputs will be used by other project collaborators to train a global scale physics-informed AI model to develop a global scale reanalysis of mountain water resources, which will allow us to better understand the large-scale impacts of these changes for global water supply.
A personalised training programme will be set up, reflecting your training needs and career objectives. About 20% of your time will be dedicated to this training component, which includes training on the job in assisting in the Bachelor and Master programmes of the department at Utrecht University.
Your qualities
We welcome a motivated team-player who recognizes themselves in the following description:
You have completed an MSc degree in (eco)hydrology, earth system science, computer science, atmospheric science, agroecology or a related discipline by the time the position starts.
Preferably, you will also have:
- Interest in land-surface and/or hydrological modelling
- Hydrological background
- Strong quantitative methodological skills, for instance knowledge of (spatial) data analysis, hydrological modelling, AI-based methods
- Experience with programming languages (e.g. Python)
- Motivation to cooperate in a diverse and multidisciplinary research team
- Strong social and communication skills
Due to the international character of our research, good command of spoken and written English is essential. We highly encourage applicants from all members of our community and of diverse backgrounds to join us.
Our offer
We offer:
- a position for 1 year, with an extension to a total of four years upon a successful assessment in the first year, and with the specific intent that it results in a doctorate within this period;
- a working week of 36 – 40 hours and a gross monthly salary between € 3.059 and €3.881 in the case of full-time employment (salary scale P under the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities (CAO NU));
- 8% holiday pay and 8.3% year-end bonus;
- a pension scheme, partially paid parental leave and flexible terms of employment based on the CAO NU.
In addition to the terms of employment laid down in the CAO NU, Utrecht University also offers a range of its own schemes for employees. This includes arrangements for professional development, various types of leave, and options for sports and cultural activities. You can also tailor your employment conditions through our Terms of Employment Options Model. In this way, we encourage you to keep investing in your personal and professional development. For more information, please visit Working at Utrecht University.
About us
A better future for everyone. This ambition motivates our scientists in executing their leading research and inspiring teaching. At Utrecht University, the various disciplines collaborate intensively towards major strategic themes. Our focus is on Dynamics of Youth, Institutions for Open Societies, Life Sciences and Pathways to Sustainability. Sharing science, shaping tomorrow.
Utrecht University’s Faculty of Geosciences studies the Earth: from the Earth’s core to its surface, including man’s spatial and material utilisation of the Earth – always with a focus on sustainability and innovation. With 3,400 students (BSc and MSc) and 720 staff, the faculty is a strong and challenging organisation. The Faculty of Geosciences is organised in four Departments: Earth Sciences, Human Geography & Spatial Planning, Physical Geography, and Sustainable Development.
The Department of Physical Geography excels in research and education on BSc, MSc and PhD level. We research processes, patterns and dynamics of Earth’s systems from the mountains to the sea, and the interaction in between. This knowledge is essential for the sustainable management of our planet and to guarantee the availability of resources for the next generations. We are a lively department that hosts an active early career community (PhD-students, researchers and lecturers). We house or have access to a wide variety of world-class laboratories, among which are UU’s Geolab, and the Earth Simulation Lab. We also have excellent High- Performance Computing facilities.
More information
For more information about this position, please contact Prof. Dr Walter Immerzeel
via w.w.immerzeel@uu.nl) or Dr Philip Kraaijenbrink
external link via p.d.a.kraaijenbrink@uu.nl
Online screening may be part of the selection. Commercial response to this ad is not appreciated.
Apply now
As Utrecht University, we want to be a home for everyone. We value staff with diverse backgrounds, perspectives and identities, including cultural, religious or ethnic background, gender, sexual orientation, disability or age. We strive to create a safe and inclusive environment in which everyone can flourish and contribute.
Knowledge security screening can be part of the selection procedures of academic staff. We do this, among other things, to prevent the unwanted transfer of sensitive knowledge and technology.
To apply, please send your curriculum vitae, including a letter of motivation via the ‘apply now’ button.
The first round of interviews will take place on 17 March 2026.
If you have an international (non-Dutch) Master’s diploma, you will be requested to provide your Bachelor’s and Master’s diplomas as well as the corresponding grade lists (in English) if you are selected for this position.
Note that international candidates that need a visa/work permit for the Netherlands require at least four months processing time after selection and acceptance. This will be arranged with help of the International Service Desk (ISD) of our university. Finding appropriate housing in or near Utrecht is your own responsibility, but the ISD may be able to advise you therewith. Unfortunately, we must warn that it is a tight market at the moment. In case of general questions about working and living in The Netherlands, please consult the Dutch Mobility Portal.
The application deadline is 6 March 2026.
