PhD Position Sediment Plume Generated by Dredging Activities Using Cutter-Suction Dredgers

Understanding the interplay between environmental pressures and underwater activities is of crucial relevance to address the challenges facing the subsea technology and to reduce the risk of unsustainable development. One form of these environmental pressures is the sediment suspended in the water column (termed as ‘sediment plume’), which results from the interaction between underwater equipment and seabed. Sediment plumes reduce light penetration into water, consequently decreasing the amount of light available to seabed photosynthesizers. Besides, sediment plumes could possibly smother marine plants and creatures.

The term ‘dredging source term’ refers to the release of sediment generated by dredging activities and is typically expressed in mass per unit time (kg/s). The determination of this source term is imperative to predict the concentration and spatial evolution of sediment plumes arising from dredging activities, consequently assessing the potential impact of suspended sediment on the neighbouring environment. Dredging source term is also a key input for numerical models used to predict the evolution of sediment plumes in the far-field zone.

Our research group (Offshore and Dredging Engineering) has developed robust knowledge on the near-field sediment plume generated by the overflow losses (i.e. the discharge of process water containing sediment) from a trailer hopper suction dredger (TSHD). However, very little is known about the sediment plume generated by a cutter-suction dredger (CSD). The release of sediment, during the dredging process using a CSD, may occur at various stages, such as cutting of material, breakout and spillage.

In this PhD research, you will develop an insightful understanding of the sediment release accompanying (some of) the various dredging processes occurring while using a CSD. This will in turn improve the predictability of the corresponding dredging source term. You will also have the opportunity to work as part of a vibrant research group focussed on a range of offshore and dredging engineering challenges and collaborate with industry. The outcomes of this research are expected to have direct impact on the industry by providing solid guidelines to predict sediment plumes generated by a CSD.

MSc degree in Dredging Engineering, Civil Engineering, Hydraulic Engineering, Ocean Engineering or a related field of study.

• Proven affinity with sediment transport.
• Experience in numerical modelling and/or physical experiments.
• Excellent communication skills and ability to work independently as well as in a team.
• Excellent command of English, written and spoken.

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 .

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 € 2541 per month in the first year to € 3247 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 sport memberships, and a monthly work costs contribution. Flexible work schedules can be arranged. For international applicants we offer the Coming to Delft Service and Partner Career Advice to assist you with your relocation.

Delft University of Technology is built on strong foundations. As creators of the world-famous Dutch waterworks and pioneers in biotech, TU Delft 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. For generations, our engineers have proven to be entrepreneurial problem-solvers, both in business and in a social context.

At TU Delft we embrace diversity as one of our core values and we actively engage to be a university where you feel at home and can flourish. We value different perspectives and qualities. We believe this makes our work more innovative, the TU Delft community more vibrant and the world more just. Together, we imagine, invent and create solutions using technology to have a positive impact on a global scale. That is why we invite you to apply. Your application will receive fair consideration.

Challenge. Change. Impact!

The Faculty of 3mE carries out pioneering research, leading to new fundamental insights and challenging applications in the field of mechanical engineering. From large-scale energy storage, medical instruments, control technology and robotics to smart materials, nanoscale structures and autonomous ships. The foundations and results of this research are reflected in outstanding, contemporary education, inspiring students and PhD candidates to become socially engaged and responsible engineers and scientists. The faculty of 3mE is a dynamic and innovative faculty with an international scope and high-tech lab facilities. Research and education focus on the design, manufacture, application and modification of products, materials, processes and mechanical devices, contributing to the development and growth of a sustainable society, as well as prosperity and welfare.

Click here to go to the website of the Faculty of Mechanical, Maritime and Materials Engineering. Do you want to experience working at our faculty? These videos will introduce you to some of our researchers and their work.

For more information about this vacancy, please contact Dr.ir. Said Alhaddad (s.m.s.alhaddad@tudelft.nl ) or Prof.dr.ir. Cees van Rhee  (c.vanrhee@tudelft.nl ). For information about the application procedure, please contact Ms Anita van Vianen, HR advisor (application-3me@tudelft.nl) .

Are you interested in this vacancy? Please apply before 15 November 2022 via the application button and upload the following documents:

Curriculum vitae.

Motivation letter highlighting your related research skills and motivation for doing a PhD.

A brief suggested research methodology (not longer than one page).

Diplomas and transcripts of your BSc. and MSc. studies.

Name and contact details of two academic referees (preferably your MSc. thesis supervisor).

A pre-employment screening can be part of the selection procedure. You can apply online. We will not process applications sent by email and/or post.
Acquisition in response to this vacancy is not appreciated.

Understanding the interplay between environmental pressures and underwater activities is of crucial relevance to address the challenges facing the subsea technology and to reduce the risk of unsustainable development. One form of these environmental pressures is the sediment suspended in the water column (termed as ‘sediment plume’), which results from the interaction between underwater equipment and seabed. Sediment plumes reduce light penetration into water, consequently decreasing the amount of light available to seabed photosynthesizers. Besides, sediment plumes could possibly smother marine plants and creatures.

The term ‘dredging source term’ refers to the release of sediment generated by dredging activities and is typically expressed in mass per unit time (kg/s). The determination of this source term is imperative to predict the concentration and spatial evolution of sediment plumes arising from dredging activities, consequently assessing the potential impact of suspended sediment on the neighbouring environment. Dredging source term is also a key input for numerical models used to predict the evolution of sediment plumes in the far-field zone.

Our research group (Offshore and Dredging Engineering) has developed robust knowledge on the near-field sediment plume generated by the overflow losses (i.e. the discharge of process water containing sediment) from a trailer hopper suction dredger (TSHD). However, very little is known about the sediment plume generated by a cutter-suction dredger (CSD). The release of sediment, during the dredging process using a CSD, may occur at various stages, such as cutting of material, breakout and spillage.

In this PhD research, you will develop an insightful understanding of the sediment release accompanying (some of) the various dredging processes occurring while using a CSD. This will in turn improve the predictability of the corresponding dredging source term. You will also have the opportunity to work as part of a vibrant research group focussed on a range of offshore and dredging engineering challenges and collaborate with industry. The outcomes of this research are expected to have direct impact on the industry by providing solid guidelines to predict sediment plumes generated by a CSD.

MSc degree in Dredging Engineering, Civil Engineering, Hydraulic Engineering, Ocean Engineering or a related field of study.

• Proven affinity with sediment transport.
• Experience in numerical modelling and/or physical experiments.
• Excellent communication skills and ability to work independently as well as in a team.
• Excellent command of English, written and spoken.

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 .

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 € 2541 per month in the first year to € 3247 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 sport memberships, and a monthly work costs contribution. Flexible work schedules can be arranged. For international applicants we offer the Coming to Delft Service and Partner Career Advice to assist you with your relocation.

Delft University of Technology is built on strong foundations. As creators of the world-famous Dutch waterworks and pioneers in biotech, TU Delft 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. For generations, our engineers have proven to be entrepreneurial problem-solvers, both in business and in a social context.

At TU Delft we embrace diversity as one of our core values and we actively engage to be a university where you feel at home and can flourish. We value different perspectives and qualities. We believe this makes our work more innovative, the TU Delft community more vibrant and the world more just. Together, we imagine, invent and create solutions using technology to have a positive impact on a global scale. That is why we invite you to apply. Your application will receive fair consideration.

Challenge. Change. Impact!

The Faculty of 3mE carries out pioneering research, leading to new fundamental insights and challenging applications in the field of mechanical engineering. From large-scale energy storage, medical instruments, control technology and robotics to smart materials, nanoscale structures and autonomous ships. The foundations and results of this research are reflected in outstanding, contemporary education, inspiring students and PhD candidates to become socially engaged and responsible engineers and scientists. The faculty of 3mE is a dynamic and innovative faculty with an international scope and high-tech lab facilities. Research and education focus on the design, manufacture, application and modification of products, materials, processes and mechanical devices, contributing to the development and growth of a sustainable society, as well as prosperity and welfare.

Click here to go to the website of the Faculty of Mechanical, Maritime and Materials Engineering. Do you want to experience working at our faculty? These videos will introduce you to some of our researchers and their work.

For more information about this vacancy, please contact Dr.ir. Said Alhaddad (s.m.s.alhaddad@tudelft.nl ) or Prof.dr.ir. Cees van Rhee  (c.vanrhee@tudelft.nl ). For information about the application procedure, please contact Ms Anita van Vianen, HR advisor (application-3me@tudelft.nl) .

Are you interested in this vacancy? Please apply before 15 November 2022 via the application button and upload the following documents:

Curriculum vitae.

Motivation letter highlighting your related research skills and motivation for doing a PhD.

A brief suggested research methodology (not longer than one page).

Diplomas and transcripts of your BSc. and MSc. studies.

Name and contact details of two academic referees (preferably your MSc. thesis supervisor).

A pre-employment screening can be part of the selection procedure. You can apply online. We will not process applications sent by email and/or post.
Acquisition in response to this vacancy is not appreciated.