NOVEL APPROACHES FOR MODELLING FLOOD RISK AND CASCADING EFFECTS - Doctoral and postdoctoral positions
University of Liège
The University of Liège is a leading research institution with more than 3500 researchers and over 2000 doctoral students active across all disciplines.
The group HECE leads basic and applied research in the fields of hydrology, flood risk management, hydraulic engineering as well as fluvial hydrodynamics. The research builds upon a tight coupling between computational modelling and laboratory experiments.
The group develops the modelling system WOLF, which includes rainfall-runoff models as well as 1D and 2D flow and transport models. It is based on an in-house finite volume numerical scheme and is equipped with a dedicated GIS-type user interface. WOLF is routinely used for education, consultancy, and research (https://www.uee.uliege.be/cms/c_1584089/en/wolf). The group also operates a unique experimental facility, equipped with state-of-the-art measurement techniques.
The group HECE is part of the Research unit Urban & Environmental Engineering (https://www.uee.uliege.be/), with 25 faculty staff and 100+ researchers.
University of Liège complies with the European HR Strategy for Researchers (HRS4R), creating an inclusive and supportive research environment through a free assistance offered to incoming researchers and their families. For more details about what ULiège can offer you as a foreign researcher, please see https://www.recherche.uliege.be/cms/c_9281209/en/mobilite-euraxess or contact: euraxess@uliege.be.
Dynamic working environment, with stimulating scientific support, state-of-the-art facilities, and advanced computational modelling tools.
Natural Hazards (NH)
The research group Hydraulics in Environmental & Civil Engineering (HECE) is offering doctoral and/or postdoctoral positions for conducting research related to modelling flood risk and cascading effects, in the framework of an international project co-funded by the EU.
Two positions are available, each of them primarily focused on one of the two topics below.
- Modelling the monetary damages of riverine floods across various societal sectors: design and implementation of surveys, analysis of existing and newly collected data, model development (incl. machine-learning techniques) and validation (based on data from the 2021 European mega-flood), application to real-world case studies in Belgium and Germany based on 2D hydrodynamic modelling outcomes.
- Modelling the hydrodynamic effects of bridge clogging by floating debris: analysis of existing field data and laboratory observations, site monitoring, development of process-based models, model testing and coupling with an operational 2D hydrodynamic model, application to real-world case studies in Belgium and Germany.
Both positions are open either to a doctoral candidate (PhD position) or to a PhD-holder (post-doc position).
Main tasks
- Research on modelling flood risk and cascading effects
- Writing publications and scientific reports
- Participation in scientific events (e.g., project meetings, conferences)
Occasional tasks
- Contribution to teaching
- Supervision of master projects and internships related to the research
- For postdoctoral researchers: co-supervision of PhD students
- Assistance/collaboration in organizational and administrative tasks
- Writing proposals
- Contribution to applied engineering projects
Your profile
- Background in civil engineering, environmental engineering, geosciences, environmental physics, applied physics, data sciences or a related field.
- Proficiency in computer programming (e.g., Python)
- Fluency in English
- Fluency in French is an asset
Postdoctoral candidates must have completed their PhD within the last 6 years.
Interested candidates should apply by filling in this online form: https://forms.office.com/e/iqGAK0qrq2
Short-listed candidates will have to take part in an interview at the University of Liege. The positions will remain open until filled; but the selection will start from March 15th, 2024. Starting date is expected in the period from April to September 2024.
Informal inquiries about the project are welcome. Please feel free to contact prof. Benjamin Dewals by email (b.dewals@uliege.be) or phone (+3243669283).