Postdoc Geotechnical Uncertainty Delft • TU Delft

Job description 

Reliability-based geotechnical design and assessment involves the propagation of uncertainty from the material/site level to the structure response level. If the uncertainty in material properties and site conditions can be reduced through increased knowledge, this reduces the uncertainty at the structure response level and this, in turn, generally leads to a reduction in over-conservatism in the design, assessment and mitigation of structures. The problem is that detailed material data, and site-specific data in particular, are often sparse, and the issue is compounded by the complex behaviour of (often soft) soils as well as the spatial variability of material layers and heterogeneity within layers.

This project focuses on data relating to railway embankments and in situ ground conditions in close proximity to railway embankments, as well as on the propagation of uncertainty to the structure level (e.g. using semi-probabilistic or full probabilistic approaches). It will be done in close collaboration with other projects (8 PhD and 1 postdoctoral) within the research programme RESET – “Reliable Embankments for the Safe Expansion of Rail Traffic” – a joint initiative between ProRail, Deltares and TU Delft.

The position includes the following components:

1. To contribute to research activities related to both the quantification of uncertainty at the material and site levels, and the propagation of uncertainty to the structure response level. To investigate how data from multiple sources may be used to reduce uncertainty. This will involve close collaboration with PhDs 7-8 of the RESET programme. (PhD 7 is concerned with the “stochastic characterisation and modelling of embankment and subsurface using data from multiple sources”; PhD 8 is concerned with “reliability/risk-based modelling for assessing railway embankment stability”.)

2. To liaise with PhDs 1-6 regarding the integration of data acquisition across the RESET programme.

3. To liaise with Deltares to facilitate synergy between the work of both institutions in developing the assessment tools and reliability framework required by ProRail.

The position will be within the Section of Geo-Engineering, in the Department of Geoscience and Engineering.The Section of Geo-Engineering has 11 full-time and 7 part-time academic staff, and around 40 PhD and post-doctoral researchers. Areas of expertise include soil mechanics, dykes and embankments, foundation engineering, underground space technology, engineering geology, and geo-environmental engineering.

Job requirements 

We are looking for a candidate with a PhD degree in Civil Engineering, Geosciences, or a related field. The candidate should have a strong background in numerical modelling, soil mechanics and statistics-based algorithms for analyzing geotechnical uncertainty, and have a genuine interest and aptitude for the development, computer implementation and application of numerical and probabilistic-based algorithms. The candidate should have excellent computer programming skills, proficiency in verbal and written English, and experience with team-work.

TU Delft (Delft University of Technology) 

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! 

Faculty of Civil Engineering and 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.