Post-Doc position: Knowledge for decision making on coastal sand nourishments
Are you interested in sand nourishments, how the Netherlands and other countries can improve them in light of both a changing climate and a growing demand for space in the coastal zone? The Civil Engineering & Management Department of the University of Twente and Deltares are looking for a motivated Post-Doc researcher to strengthen our team. We are an active group of researchers and consultants pioneering at the interface of fundamental research in marine systems and nature-based solutions.
This research position is part of the NWO-funded SOURCE program: Sand nOURisment strategies for Sustainable Coastal Ecosystems. The SOURCE philosophy is that carefully planned sand nourishments in the present will create the required and desired resilient and dynamic multifunctional coastal landscapes of the future.
SOURCE will deliver the scientific knowledge, models and design tools to develop and evaluate nourishment strategies in a multi-stakeholder co-creation process. Our Living Labs are two sand nourishments along the Dutch coast. The 12 PhD, Post-Doc and other researchers at 8 academic institutes will collaborate closely with 25 partners from government organizations, research institutes, nature organizations and industry.
Your research aims to synthesize results and connect science to coastal management. The focus is on the Dutch policy of ‘holding the coastline with sand nourishments’. You will look at improvements within this present strategy (how nourishments are planned and designed and how stakeholders can contribute to this) as well as possible adaptations of the strategy given an expected accelerated sea level rise and an increasing pressure on space for various user functions. Your research will touch upon both the knowledge of the natural system (geology, morphology, ecology) and the question ‘how can future coastal management profit from co-creation with a variety of stakeholders’. Detailed research questions will be formulated together with you, tailored to your scientific background.
The research will be executed at Deltares, Delft and the University of Twente. You will work in close interaction with your Deltares and UT supervisors as well as fellow researchers within the consortium. Especially, close collaboration is foreseen with the Directorate-General for Public Works and Water Management (Rijkswaterstaat). Regular consortium meetings will accommodate knowledge exchange with our partners, increasing the relevance and impact of our research. Furthermore, you will present your work at (inter)national conferences and publish your findings in journal papers.
Information and application
For more information about the position, you are encouraged to contact Dr. ir. Jebbe van der Werf (j.j.vanderwerf@utwente.nl), Maaike Maarse, MSc (maaike.maarse@deltares.nl) or Prof. dr. Suzanne Hulscher.
Please upload your application via the ‘Apply now’ button before November 26st 2025.
Your application should include a cover letter of max 2 pages (emphasizing your specific interest, motivation and qualifications) and a detailed CV including a publication list and contact details of two referees.
The interviews are scheduled for 5 December, 11 December and 12 December 2025 preferably in person. A second round may be part of the procedure.
Screening is part of the procedure.
We aim for this project to start February 1st 2025.
We also welcome PhD students to apply who expect to have completed their PhD thesis around this time.
About the organisation
The Faculty of Engineering Technology (ET) engages in education and research of Mechanical Engineering, Civil Engineering and Industrial Design Engineering. We enable society and industry to innovate and create value using efficient, solid and sustainable technology. We are part of a ‘people-first' university of technology, taking our place as an internationally leading center for smart production, processes and devices in five domains: Health Technology, Maintenance, Smart Regions, Smart Industry and Sustainable Resources. Our faculty is home to about 2,900 Bachelor's and Master's students, 550 employees and 150 PhD candidates. Our educational and research programmes are closely connected with UT research institutes Mesa+ Institute, TechMed Center and Digital Society Institute.
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