PhD Opportunities in Geotechnical Engineering and Digital Dikes at TU Delft Delft University of Technology in Netherlands

Two PhD opportunities are available at Delft University of Technology (TU Delft) in the section of GeoEngineering as part of the NWO-funded Digital Dikes programme. The research focuses on backward erosion piping (BEP), soil variability, and failure processes in geotechnical structures.

PhD 1: Physical Modelling of BEP — This project emphasizes experimental work, new setups, and measurement techniques to push the boundaries of physical modelling. The topic includes complex mechanisms such as 3D pipe network formation.

PhD 2: Finite Element Modelling of BEP — This project uses RFEM to quantify how soil heterogeneity and uncertainty drive piping processes in spatially variable soils.

Relevant academic backgrounds include geotechnical engineering, hydraulic engineering, granular physics, geosciences, or related fields. The post is framed as a hiring call from Miguel Angel Cabrera Cabrera (Assistant Professor at TU Delft) together with Prof. M. Hicks.

The positions appear to be funded through the Digital Dikes programme, but no stipend amount or tuition details are provided in the post text. Deadlines are listed separately for each PhD: 14 June 2026 for the physical modelling position and 22 June 2026 for the finite element modelling position.

Interested candidates should review the TU Delft job pages and apply via the relevant careers portal link for the specific PhD track.