PhD position NWA-ORC programme Living on Soft Soils at Utrecht University on Physical and chemical subsurface processes in Holocene sediment leading to land subsidence (1.0 FTE)

Within the framework of the joint NWA-ORC-programme Living on Soft Soils: Subsidence & Society project of Utrecht University, TUDelft, Wageningen University and Research, Deltares Research Institute, TNO, Wageningen Environmental Research and Utrecht University, Utrecht University is seeking a motivated PhD candidate to work on this collaborative research programme.

Programme description

The threat of land subsidence, the knowledge hiatus on process-interplays causing it, and lacking mid- to long-term coping strategies, ask for an integrated research programme that addresses the issue of land subsidence in a holistic way, whereby insights about physical-chemical-biological system functioning, development, evaluation and implementation of measures as well as an assessment of their governance and legal implications co-evolve. The overall aim of our programme is to develop an integrative approach to achieve feasible, legitimate and sustainable solutions for managing the negative societal effects of land subsidence, connecting fundamental research on subsidence processes to socio-economic impact of subsidence and to governance and legal framework design.

The programme consists of four scientific work packages:

WP1: Measuring and monitoring of land subsidence

WP2: Land subsidence mechanisms and associated greenhouse gas emissions

WP3: Impact analysis of land subsidence

WP4: Measures and governance approaches to cope with land subsidence

The programme is funded by and contributes to the Dutch Research Agenda – Research along routes by consortia (NWA-ORC) aiming to stimulate research and innovation focused on the NWA routes, designed and implemented by interdisciplinary consortia spanning the entire knowledge chain, in which relevant social partners (Deltares Research Institute, TNO, Wageningen Environmental Research, NAM, Tauw BV, Sweco, Municipality of Gouda, Platform of Soft Soil Municipalities, Province of Utrecht, WDOD, HDSR, STOWA, Ministry of the Interior and Kingdom relations, Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management) are also represented.

PhD-project WP2.4 will study and quantify the physical and geochemical processes in shallow Holocene clay-peat sequences, leading to land subsidence. For example, think about salinity changes or redox processes or differences in swell-shrink behaviour of different clay minerals. A combination of fieldwork, geotechnical and geochemical laboratory analyses and numerical modelling will be used to study the vulnerability of Dutch Holocene soft soil sequences to physical and geochemical processes, which may lead to land subsidence. Ultimately, this knowledge can be used to design region-specific strategies to combat strong subsidence in vulnerable areas.  

This project will be executed in the Global Change Geomorphology group (dr. Stouthamer, dr. Erkens) and Environmental Sciences group (prof. Griffioen) at UU, in close cooperation with Deltares and TNO-Geological Survey of the Netherlands.

Various national and international networks supporting land subsidence science exist of which the PhD candidate will be part. Interaction is foreseen with fellow researchers of the Living in Soft Soils programme; with subsidence, geodesy, and soil biology researchers within UU, TU Delft, WUR, WEnR, TNO – Geological Survey of The Netherlands, Deltares Research Institute.

Candidates with a Master's or equivalent degree in (clay) soil sciences, physical geography and/or soil physics & chemistry and interest in laboratory analyses and affinity with numerical modelling are encouraged to apply. We seek candidates that have the ability to work both independently and as part of a team, with good organisational and communication skills. Candidates have excellent writing and verbal communication skills in English and you are a fast learner with a broad interest. Candidates are expected to publish their results in peer-reviewed academic journals as Open Science contributions.

A better future for everyone. This ambition motivates our scientists in executing their leading research and inspiring teaching. At Utrecht University, the various disciplines collaborate intensively towards major societal themes. Our focus is on Dynamics of Youth, Institutions for Open Societies, Life Sciences and Sustainability.

Utrecht University's Faculty of Geosciences studies the Earth: from the Earth's core to its surface, including man's spatial and material utilisation of the Earth – always with a focus on sustainability and innovation. With 3,400 students (BSc and MSc) and 720 staff, the Faculty is a strong and challenging organisation.

The Department of Physical Geography conducts research and teaching and is responsible for the BSc and MSc programme Earth Sciences.

Additional information about the vacancy can be obtained from Dr. Esther Stouthamer (e.stouthamer@uu.nl).