PhD position on Modelling of turbidity current fluxes in submarine canyons

The Department of Earth Sciences is looking for a highly motivated PhD candidate with an MSc background in Earth Sciences, Civil or Hydraulic Engineering, or other appropriate fields. You will work on the project: DEEP-FLUX: Journey of low-density particles to the DEEP ocean floor – terrestrial organic carbon and microplastics FLUX through submarine canyons.

Your job

More than 10,000 submarine canyons connect the continents to the deep ocean. These canyons are the conduits for transport of land-derived materials to the ocean floor in avalanche-like events called turbidity currents. Turbidity currents transport enormous amounts of sediment and Particulate Organic Carbon (POC) and bury this in deposits below the ocean floor. They additionally convey abundant nutrients and oxygenated water masses, which together with the POC (as food) support conditions for abundant life at unexpected depths in the absence of light for photosynthesis. Submarine canyons are also called the ‘human connection to the deep sea (Dissanayaka et al., 2023)’. Unfortunately, this connection brings land-derived pollutants (microplastics, pesticides, pharmaceuticals) into the very heart of these ecodiverse hotspots, making them vulnerable to far-field human interference. While this general knowledge is now firmly established, the processes of transport and burial during turbidity current events remain poorly understood.

The DEEP-FLUX project aims to establish a new physical framework for quantifying fluxes of POC and microplastics from land to the ocean floor. The project team will eventually consist of 4 PhD candidates and the PI (Joris Eggenhuisen). Together they will:

• perform scaled-down laboratory experiments that will reveal the physical mechanisms of transport and burial of microplastics and POC in currents down submarine canyons;
• incorporate these mechanisms into an existing computer model for sediment flux through submarine canyons; and
• validate the model on monitored submarine canyons.

The responsibility of the PhD position advertised here will mainly involve the development of the computer model for flux quantifications, and the validation of the model against laboratory experiments.

Training

A personalised training programme will be set up reflecting your training needs and career objectives. About 20% of your time will be dedicated to this training component, which includes following courses and/or workshops (some of which are mandatory), as well as training on the job in assisting in the bachelor’s and master’s degrees programmes of the department at Utrecht University.

Your qualities

We seek candidates who are motivated by the proposed research, take initiative to develop ideas, are self-driven, and can work both independently and within a team. Applicants should hold an MSc degree in Earth Sciences, Physical Geography, Oceanography, Civil or Hydraulic Engineering, or a related discipline by the time the position starts. Furthermore, you should have:

Experience in modelling of sediment transport

• Coding experience;
• A willingness to contribute to team goals;
• A flair for written, graphical, and oral communication;
• And above all, creativity and curiosity.

Due to the international character of our research, good command of spoken and written English is essential. We highly encourage applicants from all members of our community and of diverse backgrounds to join us.

Our offer

We offer:

• a position (1.0 FTE) for 1 year, with an extension to a total of four years upon a successful assessment in the first year, and with the specific intent that it results in a doctorate within this period;
• a working week of 36 - 40 hours and a gross monthly salary between € 3.204 and €4.051 in the case of full-time employment (salary scale P under the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities (CAO NU));
• 8% holiday pay and 8.3% year-end bonus;
• a pension scheme, partially paid parental leave and flexible terms of employment based on the CAO NU.

In addition to the terms of employment laid down in the CAO NU, Utrecht University also offers a range of its own schemes for employees. This includes arrangements for professional development, various types of leave, and options for sports and cultural activities. You can also tailor your employment conditions through our Terms of Employment Options Model. In this way, we encourage you to keep investing in your personal and professional development. For more information, please visit Working at Utrecht University.

About us

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 strategic themes. Our focus is on Dynamics of Youth, Institutions for Open Societies, Life Sciences and Pathways to Sustainability. Sharing science, shaping tomorrow.

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 Faculty of Geosciences is organised in four Departments: Earth Sciences, Human Geography & Spatial Planning, Physical Geography, and Sustainable Development.

The Department of Earth Sciences conducts teaching and research across the full range of the solid Earth and environmental Earth sciences, with activities in almost all areas of geology, geochemistry, geophysics, biogeology and hydrogeology. Our key research themes are Earth & Planetary Processes, Sustainable Use of the Subsurface, Planetary Health & (the) Environment, and Climate & Life. The department hosts a highly international tenured staff of over 50 scientists and more than 110 PhD students and postdoctoral researchers. We house or have access to a wide variety of world-class laboratories, among which are UU’s Electron Microscopy Centre, the Geolab, and the Earth Simulation Lab. The latter houses the experimental facility that DEEP-FLUX will use. We also have excellent High- Performance Computing facilities.

About Utrecht

The department and its facilities are located at Utrecht Science Park. Utrecht is the fourth largest city in the Netherlands with a population of nearly 360,000 and forms a hub in the middle of the country. Its historical city centre and its modern central station can easily be reached from the Science Park by public transport or by a 15-minute bicycle ride. Utrecht boasts beautiful canals with extraordinary wharf cellars housing cafés and terraces by the water, as well as a broad variety of shops and boutiques.

More information

For informal information (not for application) about this position, please contact Dr Joris Eggenhuisen at j.t.eggenhuisen@uu.nl

Candidates for this vacancy will be recruited by Utrecht University.

Apply now

At Utrecht University, we strive to be a place where everyone feels at home. We value colleagues with different backgrounds, perspectives and identities, including differences in culture, religion or ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, neurodiversity, disability and age. We are committed to creating a safe and inclusive environment where everyone can thrive and contribute. Read more about our commitment to diversity and inclusion. If you have any questions about accessibility, for example regarding your workplace Vening Meineszgebouw A, the application process or your work, please contact us via our HR contact page.

Knowledge security screening can be part of the selection procedures of academic staff. We do this, among other things, to prevent the unwanted transfer of sensitive knowledge and technology.

You can only apply via our online procedure using the 'apply now' button. E-mail applications cannot be accepted. Include the following information in your application:

• your curriculum vitae, including any courses taken that are relevant for the position;
• a letter of motivation, which will be evaluated on the following themes:
  • Motivation to pursue a Doctorate degree
  • Motivation to apply for this specific project
  • Fulfilment of the qualifications outlined in this vacancy

No reference letters need to be submitted in your initial application. If you are short-listed, we will contact you for referees. We aim for a quick selection procedure after the application deadline of October 2nd, 2026. The position is available from January 1st, 2027.

Note that international candidates that need a visa/work permit for the Netherlands require at least four months processing time after selection and acceptance. This will be arranged with help of the International Service Desk (ISD) of our university. Finding appropriate housing in or near Utrecht is your own responsibility, but the ISD may be able to advise you therewith. In case of general questions about working and living in The Netherlands, please consult the Dutch Mobility Portal.