PhD in Microclimate Observation Networks for Greenhouse Horticulture — TU Delft

Key details

• Host institution: Delft University of Technology (TU Delft)
• Location: Delft University of Technology (TU Delft), Mekelweg 2, Delft, Netherlands
• Application deadline: July 15, 2026

Funding

Not funded by a EU programme

Funding level (from listing): partial or not via EU framework — confirm on the official call.

How to apply

• Apply by email to [email protected] (subject line and attachments per the official instructions).
• Full vacancy text and updates: Euraxess listing.

About the position

Help solve a key challenge in greenhouse horticulture: design high-resolution microclimate observation networks to enable energy savings by optimizing the growth microclimate for greenhouse crops.

Job Description

Crop microclimate plays a vital role in optimizing productivity of greenhouse crops, yet accurate knowledge of microclimate remains limited. Sensing microclimate variability and gradients in greenhouses and vertical farms comes with specific scientific challenges: sensors must be (1) accurate enough to capture small-scale microclimate variations, and (2) representative of the local microclimate without altering it by their presence. In this PhD project, you will help advance novel experimental and theoretical approaches to uncover the complex heat, CO₂, and moisture transfer dynamics in greenhouses and vertical farms.

Your PhD research will focus on experimental work, developing new microclimate sensing setups that probe the microclimate in and above greenhouse canopies. You will build and test multiple versions of microclimate boxes using different shield configurations and absorbance/reflection materials, and compare them against reference sensors (fine-wire thermometer, high-accuracy hot-wire anemometer for low airflows, etc.) in a microclimate sensing setup at Unifarm (WU). The goal is to design and implement a network of autonomous climate boxes (radiation, T, RH, CO₂), including IoT solutions for data communication. In addition to experimental work, you will analyze in-canopy temperature, water vapor, and CO₂ profiles and vertical gradients to identify flux-gradient relationships in and above the canopy. Key questions include: does the resistance analogy for flux-gradient relationships hold inside the canopy? What is the role of leaf-scale resistance (stomata, boundary layer) relative to aerodynamic resistance (in-canopy airflows)? How can these be represented in a multi-layer approach? How to implement source and sink terms of water vapor and CO₂?

You will work in close collaboration with a team of PhD researchers and postdocs, as well as project partners from industry and the horticulture sector. Strong communication skills and a proven ability to work productively in a team are important. You will work closely with two supervisors – Marie-Claire ten Veldhuis (experimental expertise) and Bas van de Wiel (theoretical expertise) – and a dedicated technician. This team-oriented supervision approach has proven effective in previous projects, with weekly joint whiteboard sessions.

You will be hosted by the Water Management Department in the Faculty of Civil Engineering and Geosciences at TU Delft. As part of a diverse and dedicated team of professors, lecturers, PhD and postdoc researchers, you will have the opportunity to work closely with leading experts and industry partners at the national and international level.

Job Requirements

• You hold an MSc in applied physics, atmospheric science, or a related field.
• You have proven relevant project or thesis experience in experimental work.
• You are a team player and enjoy interdisciplinary collaboration.
• You have a good command of written and spoken English.

Conditions of Employment

Doctoral candidates will be offered a 4-year period of employment in principle, but in the form of 2 employment contracts. An initial 1.5-year contract with an official go/no-go progress assessment within 15 months, followed by an additional contract for the remaining 2.5 years assuming everything goes well and performance requirements are met.

Salary and benefits are in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities, increasing from €3,059 to €3,881 gross per month from the first year to the fourth year based on a full-time contract (38 hours), plus 8% holiday allowance and an end-of-year bonus of 8.3%.

As a PhD candidate, you will be enrolled in the TU Delft Graduate School, which provides an inspiring research environment with an excellent team of supervisors, academic staff, and a mentor. The Doctoral Education Programme is aimed at developing your transferable, discipline-related, and research skills.

TU Delft offers a customizable compensation package, discounts on health insurance, and a monthly work costs contribution. Flexible work schedules can be arranged.

TU Delft is committed to making your move to the Netherlands as smooth as possible. The HR unit, Coming to Delft Service, offers information and events to help you settle in and expand your social network. A Dual Career Programme is available to support your accompanying partner with their job search in the Netherlands.

Additional Information

For more information about this vacancy, please contact dr. Marie-Claire ten Veldhuis ([email protected]).

Application Procedure

Are you interested in this vacancy? Please apply before 15 July 2026 via the application button and upload:

• CV
• Motivation letter

You can address your application to Marie-Claire ten Veldhuis.

Doing a PhD at TU Delft requires English proficiency at a certain level to ensure that the candidate can communicate and interact well, participate in English-taught Doctoral Education courses, and write scientific articles and a final thesis. For more details, please check the Graduate School’s Admission Requirements.

Please note: You can apply online. We will not process applications sent by email and/or post. As part of knowledge security, TU Delft conducts a risk assessment during the recruitment of personnel. This assessment takes place at the final stages of the selection process. When the outcome is negative, the candidate will be informed. Please do not contact us for unsolicited services.