EngD (Engineering Doctorate): Forecasting plastic pollution reduction rivers

About the role

Wageningen University & Research invites applications for a fully funded, two-year EngD (Engineering Doctorate) position in the Hydrology and Environmental Hydraulics Group. You will develop a practical modelling tool to forecast plastic pollution transport in river systems and quantify the impact of reduction strategies. The work focuses primarily on the Dutch Rhine-Meuse Delta, with additional case studies in Germany, Latvia, Norway, and the UK. The project is part of the larger European Tools4CleanBANOS consortium, involving twenty partners from practice, government, and academia. As an EngD candidate, you will combine a design assignment with an educational programme, leading to an Engineering Doctorate degree.

Responsibilities

• Develop your own project proposal aligned with the Tools4CleanBANOS project
• Build a conceptual and numerical model to forecast river plastic pollution and simulate the effects of different intervention solutions and scenarios
• Improve the temporal and spatial resolution of existing models, with enhanced uncertainty quantification
• Participate in (international) workshops and conferences, and help organise project activities
• Prepare two deliverables for the Tools4CleanBANOS project, which serve as the basis for the EngD thesis
• Collaborate actively with the wider River Plastic Team and project partners

Requirements

Essential qualifications and experience

• A Master’s degree in Earth science, Environmental science, (environmental) hydraulics, or (civil/environmental) engineering
• Demonstrated enthusiasm and experience with modelling water systems (e.g., hydrological, hydraulic, sediment, or water quality models)
• Proficiency in at least one coding language (e.g., Python, R, Matlab), or a strong willingness to learn
• Excellent command of written and spoken English (level C2)
• Good organisational and communication skills, and the ability to present research results in technical reports or academic journals
• A team-player mentality combined with the ability to work independently

Desirable qualities

• Experience with (plastic) pollution or sediment transport in water systems
• Affinity for collaborating with partners in the Netherlands and across Europe

What we offer

• A gross salary of €3,029 per month based on a full-time working week of 38 hours (scale TOIO under the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities, CAO-NU). A contract for 0.7 FTE is negotiable.
• An initial one-year contract with the possibility of extension upon good performance and organisational circumstances.
• Excellent secondary benefits including a pension scheme.
• Support for international staff: visa application assistance, a Dual Career programme for partners, and advice on housing, banking, and schooling. Certain categories of international staff may qualify for a partial tax exemption for the first five years in the Netherlands.
• A dynamic, internationally oriented research environment with a strong focus on societal impact and career development.

How to apply

Submit your application exclusively through the Wageningen University & Research vacancy website. Attach the following documents:

• A motivation letter (maximum 1 page) explaining why you are a suitable candidate, with concrete examples.
• A curriculum vitae (maximum 2 pages). Other documents will not be reviewed.

The vacancy is open until 21 August 2026. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis; extra consideration will be given to those received by 4 August 2026. Internal candidates are encouraged to apply before that date. Two interview rounds are planned: the first on 31 August, 1–2 September 2026; the second on 14 and 16 September 2026. The intended starting date is November 2026.

For questions about the position, contact Dr. ir. Tim van Emmerik (associate professor) or for procedural questions, contact Jessa Rozema (corporate recruiter). Please note that only applications submitted via the official WUR website will be considered.

Original vacancy