PhD: Modelling Submarine MegaflowsFaculty/department: Civil Engineering and Geosciences Civil Engineering and Geosciences The Faculty of Civil Engineering and Geosciences provides leading, international research and education. Innovation and sustainability are central themes. Research addresses societal issues. Research and education are closely interwoven. The faculty consists of the departments of Transport & Planning, Structural Engineering, Geosciences & Engineering, Water management, Hydraulic Engineering and Geoscience & Remote Sensing. The Department of Geoscience and Engineering stands for top-level research and education aimed at finding answers to tomorrow's questions on the use of the Earth's natural resources and its subsurface space. The Applied Geology section within this department aims to increase the geological knowledge of the subsurface by combining fundamental and applied research. Expertise in the section ranges from sedimentology to structural geology and tectonics, and integrates numerical studies with laboratory experiments and outcrop analysis. Activities in the section benefit from strong collaborations with other groups in the Department and the Faculty. For general information see http://www.citg.tudelft.nl/en/about-faculty/departments/geoscience-engineering/sections/applied-geology/ Job description This project has as a main objective to simulate large subaqueous debris flows and turbidity currents. These flows and their deposits will be simulated with a numerical, process-based approach that involves turbulence modulation by rheology-dependent flow (e.g. visco-plasticity). Software for simulating viscous (debris) flows has been developed at the Marine Geosciences Unit of IFREMER in France. The FanBuilder software developed by TU Delft, designed to simulate low-density turbidity currents, will also be used and adapted in order to provide comparisons between models. Initial experiments in well-controlled laboratory environments at Utrecht University (UU) will be used to validate these the numerical models. The project then will address one of the world’s largest known megaflows, in the Agadir, Madeira and Seine Abyssal Plains. This event is thought to have happened 60,000 years ago, and its deposits show a complex pattern. Other megaflows may also be considered. The project is a collaboration with IFREMER in Brest (France) and Utrecht University, supervised by Prof. S.M. Luthi (TUD), Dr. R. Silva Jacinto (IFREMER) and Dr. J. Eggenhuisen (UU). Requirements We are looking for a dynamic young candidate with excellent numerical modelling skills in the field of hydraulics. The candidate should also be able to perform physical scale experiments in the laboratory and relate his/her results to actual field data from submarine environments. Interdisciplinary thinking is an important requirement, as well as the ability to work independently. Excellent writing and communication skills in English are also needed. Conditions of employment TU Delft offers an attractive benefits package, including a flexible work week, free high-speed Internet access from home (with a contract of two years or longer), and the option of assembling a customised compensation and benefits package (the 'IKA'). Salary and benefits are in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities. As a PhD candidate you will be enrolled in the TU Delft Graduate School. TU Delft Graduate School provides an inspiring research environment; an excellent team of supervisors, academic staff and a mentor; and a Doctoral Education Programme aimed at developing your transferable, discipline-related and research skills. Please visit www.phd.tudelft.nl for more information. Information and application For more information about this position, please contact Prof. S.M. Luthi, phone: +31 (0)15-2786019, e-mail: s.m.luthi@tudelft.nl. To apply, please e-mail a detailed CV, MSc thesis, list of publications, three references and a letter of application by 30 September 2013 to D. Verbunt, Recruitment-CiTG@tudelft.nl. When applying for this position, please refer to vacancy number CITG13.19. |
