Postdoc (3.5 yrs): Towards an integrated approach for flood protection and nature

Job description

We invite applications for a postdoctoral research and coordination position in the project “Nature-based solutions in Natura2000 areas for flood protection: solving bottlenecks and exploring opportunities”. In collaboration with researchers from the Department of Civil Engineering at the University of Twente (UT) and innovation experts of the regional water authority Drents Overijsselse Delta (WDODelta), you will develop, validate and implement an integrated approach for implementing flood protection in protected nature areas. In addition, you are responsible for coordinating and managing the utilization of this integrated approach within WDODelta and their network.

The challenge

To protect the Netherlands from flooding, 21 regional water authorities and Rijkswaterstaat jointly implement the national Flood Protection Programme (in Dutch: Hoogwaterbeschermingsprogramma HWBP). In this large-scale implementation programme, 1300 kilometres of dykes and 500 sluices and weirs will be reinforced by 2050. Over the past years, climate adaptive solutions in which natural processes are integrated in engineering solutions (i.e. nature-based solutions) gained a more prominent role in dyke reinforcement projects. However, to integrate nature into these construction projects is challenging since it requires collaboration between stakeholders who have diverse interests and are not used to collaborate on such projects. Moreover, obtaining permits for construction works in protected nature areas is perceived as complex and risky. Against this background, this HWBP research and development project aims to develop and implement an integrative flood protection approach that makes better use of nature-based solutions in Natura2000 areas. Your challenge will be to develop and facilitate the implementation of this integrative approach and to ensure knowledge is disseminated to and utilized in water management practice.

The focus

For this project, you engage in a participatory design science approach to explore, develop and validate a nature-inclusive flood protection approach in close collaboration with WDODelta, other regional water authorities and other national, regional and local stakeholders. You are envisaged to collaborate with and draw from two UT-led research projects:

1.       The Living Dikes project that seeks to develop the know? how and the design tools for realising climate-proof living dikes, which are grass covered dikes with a coastal wetland in front of it;

2.       The RETSI project  in which UT researchers build on Ostrom’s Institutional Analysis & Development framework to develop an approach and action perspectives for local and regional stakeholders to integrate energy transition, climate change adaptation and other societal challenges.

This collaborative project is divided into two phases. In the problem investigation phase (circa 1 year) you prepare an overview of the relevant stakeholders and their needs, a first inventory of constraining factors and opportunities for achieving flood protection in protected Natura2000 areas as well as a detailed project proposal for the next phase. In the remaining 2.5 years, you co-design, develop, test and implement the integrative approach within WDODelta and their partners. Activities in this phase include: (1) forming of a community of practice, (2) developing of a knowledge program and (3) supporting the implementation in other projects in Natura2000 areas and the HWBP.

Your profile

For this transdisciplinary project, we look for someone who can easily work at the interface of two organizations: the University of Twente (UT) and regional water authority Drents Overijsselse Delta (WDODelta). This requires that:

• You are an independent, dynamic and critical researcher with a PhD in environmental sciences, civil engineering, social sciences (public administration, economics, business administration), design studies or related domains.
• You have interest in and expertise on stakeholder management and knowledge management.
• You enjoy working in a multidisciplinary team and look forward to interact with and disseminate knowledge to local and regional partners.
• You have interest in empirical, management-oriented research in the engineering domain of flood protection and/or water management in general.
• You enjoy coordinating and managing groups and/or projects.
• You have strong analytical and interpersonal skills.
• You are proficient in Dutch and English (writing and speaking).

Our offer

We offer a 3.5 years full time (0.8 or 1.0 fte) postdoc position. The terms of employment are in accordance with the collective labour agreement for Dutch universities (CAO-NU) and include:

• Gross salary between € 3.353 and €4.402 per month depending on experience and qualifications.
• Excellent benefits including a holiday allowance of 8% of the gross annual salary, a year-end bonus of 8.3% and a solid pension scheme.
• 41 leave days in case of full-time employment.
• Excellent support for research and project management tasks and opportunities for professional and personal development.
• Excellent opportunity to combine the development of scientific knowledge with the furthering of societal change.
• Being part of a dedicated team of people who are eager to create stronger links between science and policy/practice.

Information and application

You can submit your application, including a motivation letter and recent CV, until the 8th of September 2021 (use the “apply now” button below). In your motivation letter please briefly explain your view on the implementation of the research activities and how you would build on your past experience.

The first interview round will be online and is planned for September 20 (between 10:30h and 14:00h). Successful applicants can expect to receive an invitation by September 15. The second interview will take place at the University of Twente on the 27th of September (between 9:00 and 12:00h). The successful applicant ideally begins on the 1st of November 2021.

For general information regarding these positions, you can contact Dr. ir. Joanne Vinke-de Kruijf, mail: [email protected], or Dr. ir. Bas Borsje, mail: [email protected].

About the department

In this position, you are expected to work part-time at the Faculty of Engineering Technology of the UT and part-time at WDO Delta. Both organizations provide dynamic and complementary work environments. The Civil Engineering Department develops, applies and disseminates knowledge and tools for Civil Engineering in a societal and environmental context. This closely connects to the “high tech human touch” focus of the University of Twente. In close collaboration with regional, national and international partners, we deliver research and education for which we combine engineering knowledge with insights from Public Administration and Management Science to contribute to a sustainable, efficient, safe and resilient society. Your project will be supervised by researchers of the Construction Management & Engineering and the Marine & Fluvial Systems groups of the Department. Both groups are closely involved in various networks, programmes and projects that focus on flood resilience, nature-based solutions and integrative infrastructure solutions.

WDODelta is a relatively new and ambitious organization that aims for the highest quality of safe, clean and sufficient water. From our head office in Zwolle, we manage water in relation to living, working and nature in a work region that extends from Assen to Deventer. Your project will be embedded in the “Research & Advice” department. Our department has knowledge and experience in the areas of water safety, the water chain, the water system, energy and sustainability. As knowledge centre of WDODelta we advise other parts of the organizations and are continuously seeking to stimulate innovation, learning and knowledge transfer.

About the organization

The Faculty of Engineering Technology (ET) engages in education and research Mechanical Engineering, Civil Engineering and Industrial Design Engineering with a view to enabling society and industry to innovate and create value using sound, efficient and sustainable technology. We are part of a ‘people-first' university of technology, taking our place as an internationally leading centre for smart production, processes and devices in five domains: Health Technology, Maintenance, Smart Regions, Smart Industry and Sustainable Resources. Our faculty is home to some 1,800 Bachelor's and Master's students, 400 employees and 150 PhD candidates and offers three degree programmes: Mechanical Engineering, Civil Engineering and Industrial Design Engineering. Our educational and research programme are closely connected with UT research institutes Mesa+ Institute, TechMed Centra and Digital Society Institute.

University of Twente (UT)

University of Twente (UT) has entered the new decade with an ambitious, new vision, mission and strategy. As ‘the ultimate people-first university of technology' we are rapidly expanding on our High Tech Human Touch philosophy and the unique role it affords us in society. Everything we do is aimed at maximum impact on people, society and connections through the sustainable utilisation of science and technology. We want to contribute to the development of a fair, digital and sustainable society through our open, inclusive and entrepreneurial attitude. This attitude permeates everything we do and is present in every one of UT's departments and faculties. Building on our rich legacy in merging technical and social sciences, we focus on five distinguishing research domains: Improving healthcare by personalised technologies; Creating intelligent manufacturing systems; Shaping our world with smart materials; Engineering our digital society; and Engineering for a resilient world.

As an employer, University of Twente offers jobs that matter. We equip you as a staff member to shape new opportunities both for yourself and for our society. With us, you will be part of a leading tech university that is changing our world for the better. We offer an open, inclusive and entrepreneurial climate, in which we encourage you to make healthy choices, for example, with our flexible, customisable conditions.

Apply now