The Department of Applied Physics and Science Education is a research-driven department housing high-quality educational programs, all featuring strong connections between research and education. Our research is clustered in three focal areas: Fluids, Bio and Soft Matter (FBSM); Plasmas and Beams (PB); and Nano, Quantum and Photonics (NQP). Our shared ambition is to equip the next generation of ‘engineers of the future’ with the knowledge and the skills they will need to impact science, innovation, and society, from regional to global scales.

Introduction

Are you an enthusiastic researcher with a background in oceanography, environmental physics, or marine ecology? Are you interested in the interaction between renewable energy infrastructure and marine ecosystems? Are you our next Postdoc on the impact of offshore wind farms on the transport dynamics of ichthyoplankton in the North Sea?

Job Description

As offshore renewable energy rapidly expands, a key scientific challenge is to understand how wind farm-induced changes in currents, turbulence, and stratification affect the transport and survival of ichthyoplankton (fish eggs and larvae). These early life stages determine future fish populations, yet their sensitivity to physical changes remains poorly understood.

In this position, you will tackle this challenge by combining fluid dynamics, numerical modelling, and marine ecology to quantify how offshore wind farms alter larval transport pathways and ecosystem connectivity. Your work will contribute directly to sustainable offshore energy development by improving our ability to predict ecological impacts and supporting evidence-based marine spatial planning. In doing so, you will help balance the transition to renewable energy with the protection of marine biodiversity and fisheries.

You will contribute to NO-REGRETS (North Sea Renewable Energy: Gaining the Required Ecological Knowledge for the Transition) is a six-year (2025–2031) interdisciplinary project funded by NWO. It investigates the ecological and economic impacts of large-scale offshore wind farm expansion in the North Sea under climate change. Bringing together universities, research institutes, and stakeholders, the programme studies effects on physical processes, marine ecosystems, and fisheries, and develops tools to support sustainable decision-making and marine spatial planning. You will work at Fluid & Flows group at TU/e, an internationally recognized group studying complex transport phenomena in environmental and engineering systems, and you will work closely together with researchers across disciplines including at NIOZ (The Netherlands Institute for Sea Research) and Deltares, benefiting from a collaborative and supportive environment.

We value diverse perspectives and encourage you to bring your own expertise, ideas, and creativity into the project. You will be supported in both your scientific development and your role within the team.

Job Requirements

• Motivated researcher, with a PhD in oceanography, marine ecology, environmental fluid mechanics, or a comparable domain
• Experience with hydrodynamic, Lagrangian, or individual-based models is an asset.
• Ability to conduct high quality academic research, reflected in demonstratable outputs.
• A team player who enjoys coaching PhD and master’s students and working in a dynamic, interdisciplinary team.
• A proven ability to manage complex projects to completion on schedule.
Excellent (written and verbal) proficiency in English, good communication and leadership skills.

Conditions of Employment

A meaningful job in a dynamic and ambitious university, in an interdisciplinary setting and within an international network. You will work on a beautiful, green campus within walking distance of the central train station. In addition, we offer you:

• Full-time employment for 2 years.
• Salary in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities, scale 10 (min. € 4,241 max. € 5,538).
• A year-end bonus of 8.3% and annual vacation pay of 8%.
• High-quality training programs on general skills, didactics and topics related to research and valorization.
• An excellent technical infrastructure, on-campus children's day care and sports facilities.
• Unlimited access to the modern on‑campus TU/e Student Sports Center at an exceptionally affordable rate.
• Partially paid parental leave and an allowance for commuting, working from home and internet costs.
• A TU/e Postdoc Association that helps you to build a stronger and broader academic and personal network, and offers tailored support, training and workshops.
• A Staff Immigration Team is available for international candidates, as are a tax compensation scheme (the 30% facility) and a compensation for moving expenses.

On our website you can discover even more information about our conditions of employment. Build on your career at TU/e!

About us

We are a leading international university where scientific curiosity meets a hands-on mindset. We work in an open and collaborative way with high-tech industries to tackle complex societal challenges. Our responsible and respectful approach ensures impact — today and in the future. TU/e is home to over 13,000 students and more than 7,000 staff, forming a diverse and vibrant academic community.

Our university is located in Brainport Eindhoven — a world‑leading tech region with more than 7,000 high‑tech companies and strong R&D activity. Known for breakthroughs in AI, photonics, semiconductors and advanced manufacturing, Brainport is a place where technology serves people and society. Learn more about the Brainport region here.

Information

Do you recognize yourself in this profile and would you like to know more? Please contact the hiring manager dr. Matias Duran Matute, m.duran.matute@tue.nl.

Visit our website for more information about the application process. You can also contact HRServices.flux@tue.nl.

Are you inspired and would like to know more about working at TU/e? Please visit our career page.

Application

We invite you to submit a complete application using the apply-button. The application should include a:

• Cover letter in which you describe your motivation and qualifications for the position.
• Curriculum vitae, including a list of your publications and the contact information of three references. Kindly note that we may reach out to references at any stage of the recruitment process. We recommend notifying your references upon submitting your application.
• List of up to five self-selected ‘best publications’.

Ensure that you submit all the requested application documents. Please note that incomplete applications may not be considered and could be rejected.

We look forward to receiving your application and will screen it as soon as possible. The vacancy will remain open until the position is filled.

Please note

• You can apply online. We will not process applications sent by email and/or post.
• A pre-employment screening (e.g. knowledge security check) can be part of the selection procedure. For more information on the knowledge security check, please consult the National Knowledge Security Guidelines.
• Please do not contact us for unsolicited services.