PhD Position in Local Drivers of Extreme Water Levels in the Eastern Baltic Tallinn University of Technology in Estonia

This fully funded 4-year PhD position at Tallinn University of Technology (TalTech), School of Science, Department of Cybernetics, offers an exciting opportunity to investigate the local drivers of extreme water levels in the eastern Baltic Sea. The research is hosted by the Laboratory of Wave Engineering, a core lab renowned for its expertise in wave dynamics, coastal engineering, and the application of advanced mathematical methods to marine and coastal challenges.

The project focuses on the spatio-temporal variability of wave set-up—a critical but often overlooked contributor to storm-driven high water levels and coastal flooding risks. By integrating wave modelling, field observations, remote sensing, statistical analysis, and AI, the research aims to quantify spatial patterns of wave set-up, its statistical distributions, and the co-occurrence of high set-up with offshore extreme sea levels. The outcomes will have direct implications for coastal risk management and climate adaptation strategies in the Baltic region.

Key research questions include: How does wave set-up height vary along the eastern Baltic Sea coast? What statistical distributions characterize wave set-up in semi-sheltered sea areas? How frequently do high wave set-up and extreme offshore water levels coincide, and what are the implications for flooding? Can wave set-up be reliably quantified from observations or remote sensing, and how do these compare to simulations?

Responsibilities include performing simulations of wave set-up from 1961–2025, mapping areas with frequent large set-up heights, identifying statistical distributions, establishing links between offshore sea level and set-up events, exploring satellite-based proxies, and analyzing decadal changes and long-term trends. The successful candidate will also contribute to lab research projects and the organization of workshops and conferences.

Applicants should hold a master’s degree or equivalent in physical, mathematical, engineering, or Earth sciences (preferably physical oceanography, civil, coastal, or ocean engineering) and possess a strong background in mathematics and statistics. Excellent English skills, strong writing and analytical abilities, and the capacity to work both independently and as part of an international team are essential. Experience with scientific software (Matlab, Mathematica, Python, R), statistics, supervision of BSc students, and science popularisation are beneficial.

The Wave Engineering Laboratory at TalTech is internationally recognized for its research portfolio, which includes long wave theory, shallow-water solitons, set-up and run-up phenomena, tsunami research, surface wave modelling, and the application of machine learning and AI to marine hazards. The lab is committed to translating fundamental research into practical solutions for coastal engineering and management, and offers extensive opportunities for conference visits, research stays, and networking with leading universities and research centers.

To apply, submit your CV, motivation letter, degree certificates, and a copy of your passport to Prof Dr Tarmo Soomere ([email protected]). Review the PhD admission information at TalTech's PhD admission page. For further details, contact the supervisors or visit the Wave Engineering Laboratory website. The application deadline is January 31, 2026.