Postdoc Imaging with Synthetic Aperture Sonar on an Autonomous Surface Vessel

4 Jan 2024
Job Information

Organisation/Company

Delft University of Technology (TU Delft)

Research Field

Technology

Researcher Profile

Recognised Researcher (R2)

Country

Netherlands

Application Deadline

26 Jan 2024 – 22:59 (UTC)

Type of Contract

Temporary

Job Status

Not Applicable

Hours Per Week

40.0

Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme?

Not funded by an EU programme

Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure?

No

Offer Description

The Dutch government has funded the Geowin consortium to investigate and enable more reliable and cheaper offshore windfarm development. For this, it is mandatory to assess the location’s geotechnical feasibility. This is conventionally done with classical geotechnical approaches like cone penetration tests, borehole investigations as well as high resolution seismic surveys to structurally image the near subsurface. Ground modelling is a critical step in offshore windfarm development as it provides essential insights to the seabed properties, allowing engineers to design reliable and cost-effective foundations for the wind turbines. With more accurate data on the soil properties and seabed loadings, windfarm developers can optimize dimensions, foundation depth, wall thickness and overall monopile design of the windmills. This will allow saving steel and installation costs. Moreover, detailed geotechnical surveys scan for geohazards and also assure that there are no pipelines, cables or other infrastructure in the way, including unexploded ordnances (UXOs), or other objects on or within the seafloor where the windfarm should be developed. Using current invasive geotechnical equipment, this is a costly and environmentally aggressive endeavour, which requires large vessels, massive and expensive equipment, and a lot of time.

This postdoc position is part of a project that aims at replacing the invasive approach with a non-invasive, more cost-efficient and environmentally friendly geophysics-based investigation of the geotechnically relevant near surface. This investigation approach is called the GeoWin method. The successful applicant will concentrate on the development of a simulator for Synthetic Aperture Sonar on an Autonomous Surface Vessel (SASV), which is a software package that synthesises a SASV experiment.

Objectives:

• Producing a unique map of the sea floor and detected targets;
• Removing ambiguity in the detected target positions in a simulated environment.

To achieve the objectives stated above we foresee the following activities:

• Familiarization with current geophysical acquisition and imaging techniques, in particular sonar;
• Familiarization with current hardware systems used for sonar;
• Development and coding of processing algorithms to image the ocean floor;
• Optimization of acquisition scenarios;
• Analysis of the expected resolution and uncertainties related to the proposed geophysical acquisition and imaging scenarios.

Requirements
Specific Requirements

The successful applicant will hold a relevant PhD degree in applied geoscience and engineering, with background in applied geophysics. Strong numerical and programming skills for forward and inverse problems are a must. Moreover, the candidate should be a good communicator, have a broad interest and learn quickly. The candidate should also possess excellent writing and verbal communication skills in English.

Additional Information
Benefits

Salary and benefits are in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities. The TU Delft offers a customisable compensation package, discounts on health insurance, and a monthly work costs contribution. Flexible work schedules can be arranged.

For international applicants, TU Delft has the Coming to Delft Service . This service provides information for new international employees to help you prepare the relocation and to settle in the Netherlands. The Coming to Delft Service offers a Dual Career Programme for partners and they organise events to expand your (social) network.

Selection process

Are you interested in this vacancy? Please apply no later than 26 January 2024 via the application button and upload:

• Motivation letter.
• Detailed CV.
• Names and contact information of at least two relevant references.
• Academic record.
• If possible, a master thesis (or other research during your master’s degree).

After the first selection, video interviews will be held on (date to be agreed).

Please note:

• You can apply online. We will not process applications sent by email and/or post.
• A pre-Employment screening can be part of the selection procedure.
• Please do not contact us for unsolicited services.

Additional comments

For more information about this vacancy, please contact Deyan Draganov (d.s.draganov@tudelft.nl ) and Katrin Löer (k.loer@tudelft.nl ).

Website for additional job details

https://www.academictransfer.com/336352/

Work Location(s)

Number of offers available

1

Company/Institute

Delft University of Technology

Country

Netherlands

City

Delft

Postal Code

2628 CD

Street

Mekelweg 2

Geofield

Where to apply

Website

https://www.academictransfer.com/en/336352/postdoc-imaging-with-synthetic-apert…

Contact

City

Delft

Website

http://www.tudelft.nl/

Street

Mekelweg 2

Postal Code

2628 CD

STATUS: EXPIRED