PhD Position Ocean Coastal Trapped Waves

Oceanic wave guides are the ocean's version of a high-speed internet network: they communicate changes in for example sea level and temperature rapidly to other parts of the ocean. Within this category, Coastal Trapped Waves communicate signals along the edge of the continental shelf, along coastlines, along underwater ridges, in and out of fjords, and between the deep ocean and the shallow shelf areas. As a hybrid between internal Kelvin waves (impacted by ocean stratification) and topographic Rossby waves (impacted by bottom slope), they can change their characteristics when propagating into an area with different topography and/or stratification. The current generation of climate models does not resolve these type of waves; understanding the behavior in realistic ocean settings as well as how they change under different climate conditions is therefore urgently needed. Using a combination of realistic numerical simulations of the ocean and more idealized setups, you will study how Coastal Trapped Waves manifest in realistic situations, how and where they transmit or scatter energy, and how that affects the regional ocean circulation.

Requirements:

• An MSc degree in Physical Oceanography, Environmental Fluid Mechanics, Climate Physics, or other relevant discipline
• Demonstrable affinity with studying the physics of the ocean
• Strong affinity and preferably experience with numerical modelling and/or the analysis of large datasets
• Excellent ability to communicate in both written and spoken English
• Good organizational skills and ability to work independently and in a team  

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.

Salary 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.
From 1 September next, a salary increase of 3.7% applies due to a Collective Agreement amendment, followed by an additional 1% increase on 1 January 2025. In addition, most employees employed on 1 September 2024 will receive a one-off payment of €300 gross based on full-time employment.

38 hours per week

Mekelweg 2