项目介绍

2026年7月3日

Job description

Climate change leads to shifts in the magnitudes and timing of precipitation and atmospheric water demand, i.e. potential evaporation. This will directly affect soil moisture, groundwater dynamics and eventually streamflow. In addition, these changes will have cascading effects on vegetation that adapts to new conditions. As vegetation regulates the fraction of available water that is released into the atmosphere as evapotranspiration, these adaptations will feed back and either amplify or moderate the direct effects of climate change on soil moisture, groundwater and streamflow. These feedbacks and their effects on extreme events, such as floods and droughts but also on seasonal water supply are poorly understood and not accounted for in current-generation hydrological models.

The PhD research project will address these issues for more reliable hydrological predictions with a focus on the Rhine-Meuse river basin, aiming (1) to quantify natural vegetation adaptation to a changing climate, (2) to further develop the wFlow-SBM hydrological model to account for these changes with a time-variable vegetation parametrization and to (3) use this model to quantify and analyze the effects of changing vegetation on predictions of soil moisture, groundwater and streamflow under a changing climate in the Rhine-Meuse system.

In this project you will work in close collaboration with Rijkswaterstaat RWS (Dutch Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management) and the industry project partner Deltares. At TU Delft, you will be hosted by the Water Management Department in the Faculty of Civil Engineering and Geosciences and the supervision team at TU Delft will be led by Prof. Markus Hrachowitz.

Job requirements

• MSc degree in Hydrology, Environmental Engineering, Civil Engineering or a related field
• Excellent computer programming and GIS skills
• Proficiency in written and spoken English (Dutch language is an advantage)
• Demonstrated interest in and enthusiasm for interdisciplinary approaches, linking plant physiology, soil science and geology to hydrology.

TU Delft (Delft University of Technology) 

Working at TU Delft means contributing to solutions that really make a difference. 

For over 180 years, we have been training engineers who make an impact worldwide in companies, government bodies, or as entrepreneurs. Our alumni turn knowledge into concrete solutions for the challenges of today and tomorrow. These challenges are changing rapidly. That is why we focus on themes such as energy, climate, digitalisation, artificial intelligence (AI), and smart mobility every day. Our education and research are directly aligned with what society needs now and in the future. 

At TU Delft, our people make the difference. With their knowledge and curiosity, our staff provide a high-quality education and conduct pioneering research that extends beyond the campus. You will have the opportunity to take the initiative, work with others, and grow as a professional. Working at TU Delft means join an international community of professionals and students. Together, we create knowledge, innovations, and solutions that help move the world forward. 

The Faculty of Civil Engineering & Geosciences

The Faculty of Civil Engineering & Geosciences (CEG) is committed to outstanding international research and education in the field of civil engineering, applied earth sciences, traffic and transport, water technology, and delta technology. Our research feeds into our educational programmes and covers societal challenges such as climate change, energy transition, resource availability, urbanisation and clean water. Our research projects are conducted in close cooperation with a wide range of research institutions. CEG is convinced of the importance of open science and supports its scientists in integrating open science in their research practice. The Faculty of CEG comprises 28 research groups in the following seven departments: Materials Mechanics Management & Design, Engineering Structures, Geoscience and Engineering, Geoscience and Remote Sensing, Transport & Planning, Hydraulic Engineering and Water Management. 

Click here to go to the website of the Faculty of Civil Engineering & Geosciences. 

Conditions of employment 
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 €3059 – €3881 gross per month, from the first year to the fourth year based on a fulltime contract (38 hours), plus 8% holiday allowance and an end-of-year bonus of 8.3%.  

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.  

Will you need to relocate to the Netherlands for this job? TU Delft is committed to make your move as smooth as possible! The HR unit, Coming to Delft Service, offers information on their website to help you prepare your relocation. In addition, Coming to Delft Service organises events to help you settle in the Netherlands, and expand your (social) network in Delft. A Dual Career Programme is available, to support your accompanying partner with their job search in the Netherlands.  

Additional information
If you would like more information about the recruitment procedure, please contact Recruitment-CITG@tudelft.nl

Four days per week you will work at TU Delft in Delft and one day per week you will work on a secondement at the Rijkswaterstaat Watermanagement Center in Lelystad. 

Application procedure
Are you interested in this vacancy? Please apply no later than 9 August 2026 via the application button and upload the following documents:

• CV
• Motivation letter (1 page)
• Copies of MSc degree and transcripts

You can address your application to Markus Hrachowitz.