- Apply before 05/06/2026 (DD/MM/YYYY) 23:59 (Brussels Time)
- Faculty of Engineering and Architecture
- Department: EA15 - Civiele Techniek
- Occupancy rate:100%
- Number of positions: 1
- Type of employment: Contract of limited duration
- Term of assignment:
- Wage scale: PD1 to PD4 (doctoral degree)
- Required diploma:PhD
Vacancy for POSTDOC position on
Numerical and AI modelling of WAVE RUN-up and WAVE OVERTOPPING at the flemish coast
ABOUT GHENT UNIVERSITY
Ghent University is a world of its own. Employing more than 15,000 people, it is actively involved in education and research, management and administration, as well as technical and social service provision on a daily basis. It is one of the largest, most exciting employers in the area and offers great career opportunities. With its 11 faculties and more than 80 departments offering state-of-the-art study programmes grounded in research in a wide range of academic fields, Ghent University is a logical choice for its staff and students.
PROJECT BACKGROUND
The Living Coast project aims to develop a modular and scalable digital representation of the Flemish coastal zone. The project will establish an advanced ecosystem-based modelling platform that integrates physical, ecological, and socio-environmental processes within a unified framework to support the design and long-term implementation of nature-based solutions for coastal resilience. Its primary objective is to deliver a next-generation coastal digital twin architecture capable of supporting real-time scenario analysis, evidence-informed adaptation planning, and interoperability with emerging European digital twin initiatives. Through this strategic basic research effort, the project seeks to address persistent scientific and technical challenges while enabling practical advances in integrated coastal zone management.
YOUR TASKS
You will be responsible for the development, implementation, and validation of hydrodynamic and morphodynamic models related to coastal hazards, wave dynamics, and sediment transport processes. Your work will involve numerical modelling using Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) approaches, data-driven and/or physics-informed Artificial Intelligence (AI) modelling techniques, and the analysis of large field measurement datasets. You will collaborate closely with researchers from Ghent University, KU Leuven, Flanders Hydraulics Research, VLIZ, as well as industrial stakeholders active in coastal engineering, digital twin technologies, and climate adaptation. Your activities will be coordinated by the project coordinators of the Coastal Engineering Research Group at Ghent University.
As a summary, your tasks involve:
- Developing an AI coastal digital twin, which will act as an early warning system.
- Developing coupled hydrodynamics and morphodynamics models.
- Performing CFD simulations related to wave run-up, wave overtopping, and sediment transport processes.
- Collaborating with industrial and governmental stakeholders on operational coastal resilience tools and decision-support systems.
WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR
- Candidates must hold a PhD degree in civil engineering, coastal/offshore engineering, physical oceanography or a related area, with a proven strong knowledge of CFD.
- Prior experience to numerical modelling of wave transformation processes (preferably smoothed particle hydrodynamics DualSPHysics) and coastal erosion (preferably surf beat XBeach) is recommended, preferably evidenced by peer-reviewed scientific publications.
- Prior demonstrated expertise in machine learning techniques in coastal/offshore engineering applications, preferably evidenced by peer-reviewed scientific publications.
- Prior knowledge related to wave run-up and overtopping processes is recommended.
- Hands-on experience in programming, data analysis and related statistics using appropriate software tools (e.g., MATLAB, Python (preferred)) is recommended.
- Prior knowledge of physical modelling in a wave flume or basin, related to wave run-up and overtopping, is a plus.
- Knowledge of open source platforms (e.g., GitHub) is a plus.
- Candidates must have excellent written and oral communication skills.
- Candidates must be proficient in English.
- Candidates must be flexible, responsible and team workers.
WHAT WE CAN OFFER YOU
- We offer you a contract of definite duration for the period from 01/07/2026 to 31/03/2028.
- Your contract will start on 1/07/2026 at the earliest.
- Your remuneration will be determined by salary scale PD1 to PD4. Click here for more information about our salary scales.
- All Ghent University staff members enjoy a number of benefits, such as a wide range of training and education opportunities, 36 days of holiday leave (on an annual basis for a full-time job) supplemented by annual fixed bridge days, bicycle allowance and eco vouchers. Click here for a complete overview of all the staff benefits.
INTERESTED?
Apply online through the e-recruitment system before the application deadline (see above). We do not accept late applications or applications that are not submitted through the online system.
Your application must include the following documents:
- In the field ‘CV’: your CV and a transcript of your academic record (merged into one pdf file)
- In the field ‘Cover letter’: your application letter in pdf format
- In the field ‘Diploma’: a transcript of the required degree (if already in your possession). If you have a foreign diploma in a language other than our national languages (Dutch, French or German) or English, please add a translation in one of the mentioned languages.
- In the field “other documents”: a reference letter and an overview of your study results.
Note that the maximum file size for each field is 10 MB.
As Ghent University maintains an equal opportunities and diversity policy, everyone is encouraged to apply for this position.
MORE INFORMATION
For more information about this vacancy, please contact Prof. Peter Troch (
[email protected]). Important: do NOT send your application by email, but apply online.
Do you have a question regarding the online application process? Please read the FAQ or contact us via
[email protected].
