The Department of Earth Sciences at Utrecht University is seeking a highly motivated PhD candidate with an MSc background in Earth Sciences, Civil or Hydraulic Engineering, or related fields. You will engage in the DEEP-FLUX project, which investigates the journey of low-density particles to the deep ocean floor, specifically focusing on terrestrial organic carbon and microplastics flux through submarine canyons.

About the Company

Utrecht University's Faculty of Geosciences studies the Earth from its core to its surface, emphasizing sustainability and innovation. With 3,400 students and 720 staff, it is a vibrant academic community organized into four departments, including Earth Sciences.

The Role

You will explore how over 10,000 submarine canyons transport land-derived materials to the ocean floor through turbidity currents, which also deliver nutrients and oxygen to support marine life at great depths. Your work will focus on establishing a new physical framework for quantifying fluxes of particulate organic carbon (POC) and microplastics from land to the ocean floor. You will collaborate with a team of four PhD candidates and the Principal Investigator, Joris Eggenhuisen, to:

• Conduct scaled-down laboratory experiments to uncover the physical mechanisms of transport and burial in submarine canyons.
• Integrate these findings into an existing computer model for sediment flux.
• Validate the model against experimental data.

Requirements

• An MSc degree in Earth Sciences, Physical Geography, Oceanography, Civil or Hydraulic Engineering, or a related discipline.
• Experience in sediment transport modelling.
• Proficiency in coding.
• Strong initiative and ability to work both independently and as part of a team.
• Excellent written, graphical, and oral communication skills.
• A good command of English, both spoken and written.

What We Offer

• A full-time position (1.0 FTE) for one year, with the possibility of extension to four years upon a successful assessment.
• A gross monthly salary between €3,204 and €4,051 based on full-time employment, plus 8% holiday pay and an 8.3% year-end bonus.
• A pension scheme, partially paid parental leave, and flexible employment terms.
• Opportunities for professional development, various types of leave, and options for sports and cultural activities.

Application Process

For informal inquiries about this position, please contact Dr. Joris Eggenhuisen at j.t.eggenhuisen@uu.nl. To apply, visit our website and follow the application guidelines. Include your CV and a motivation letter addressing your motivation for pursuing a doctorate and the specific project. Reference letters are not required initially. The application deadline is October 2, 2026, and the position starts on January 1, 2027. Note that international candidates needing a visa should allow at least four months for processing. Housing arrangements are the candidate's responsibility, but assistance may be provided by the International Service Desk. Knowledge security screening may be part of the selection process.