PhD Position - Sediment Dynamics and Beneficial Reuse in the Danube Delta

[Tatui Florin]

Dear colleagues,

We are looking for a highly motivated student for a PhD position in the frame of the DELTA-Hub (Horizon Europe ERA Chairs) project. Please advertise it in your networks according to the following details:

Project: DELTA-Hub (Horizon Europe ERA Chairs), ERA chair Prof. Edward Anthony 

Host: Faculty of Geography, University of Bucharest 

Duration: 3.5 years | Start: 1 October 2026 

Gross salary: ~3,100 EUR/month (~2,000 EUR net)

About the project

DELTA-Hub strengthens research capacity at the University of Bucharest in delta science, with the Danube Delta as its flagship study site. A central ambition of the project is to underpin a new hydro-sedimentary management strategy for the delta, one that integrates Beneficial Use of Dredged Material (BUDM) and Nature-based Solutions (NbS) with quantitative, process-based understanding of sediment dynamics. This PhD position will provide the scientific foundation for that strategy.

https://delta-hub.unibuc.ro

Scientific objectives

The thesis will advance the quantitative understanding of sediment dynamics in the Danube Delta and evaluate the morphodynamic effectiveness of BUDM and NbS interventions through process-based modelling constrained by in-situ and satellite observations. Specifically, the candidate will:

1. Extend and calibrate the sediment transport component of the Danube Delta Twin model, using new in-situ data from optical and acoustic sensors (turbidity, backscatter, ADCP) and from filtered water samples (SSC/SPM).

2. Support the calibration and validation of satellite-derived suspended sediment products (Sentinel-2, SWOT) against in-situ observations.

3. Quantify sediment pathways, budgets, and depositional regimes across key sub-systems of the delta under present and plausible future hydro-climatic forcings.

4. Design and evaluate BUDM and NbS intervention scenarios, assessing their morphodynamic performance and coastal-protection value.

5. Synthesise the results into a transferable framework informing sediment management in low-energy, micro-tidal deltas, contributing directly to the hydro-sedimentary management strategy being developed within DELTA-Hub.

Candidate profile

Required

• MSc degree (obtained by July 2026) in Earth sciences, Physical geography, Coastal/marine science, Hydrology, Environmental engineering or a closely related field

• Quantitative background with programming skills (Python, MATLAB or R)

• Good written and spoken English

• Motivation for combining numerical modelling with field and laboratory work

Assets (not required)

• Experience with MIKE 21/3 FM or comparable models (Delft3D, TELEMAC)

• Experience with optical/acoustic sediment sensors or water-sample processing

• Familiarity with satellite remote sensing (Sentinel-2, SWOT)

• Romanian language skills (useful for fieldwork and stakeholder interaction)

What we offer

• A fully funded 3.5-year PhD position within an international Horizon Europe ERA Chairs project

• Supervision by Florin Tătui (University of Bucharest), Edward Anthony (CEREGE, Aix-Marseille Université), and Florin Zăinescu (University of Bucharest / SCMF)

• Co-supervision and secondment opportunities with DELTA-Hub International Advisory Board institutions, including TU Delft, Deltares, Tour du Valat, Tyndall Centre for Climate Change Research (University of East Anglia), Wageningen University, and Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya, JPL NASA.

• Access to the DELTA-Hub modelling infrastructure and the Sfântu Gheorghe Marine and Fluvial Research Station

• Regular fieldwork in the Danube Delta

• Travel funding for international conferences and training schools

• Integration into a vibrant team working across modelling, remote sensing, and coastal geomorphology

Timeline

• Application deadline: 1st of June 2026

• Interview 1: 15 June 2026 (selected candidates)

• Interview 2: July 2026 (as part of the Doctoral School admission procedure)

• Enrolment: 1 October 2026

How to apply

Please send to delt...@geo.unibuc.ro the following documents with the subject line "DELTA-Hub PhD application - [your name]":

(i) a CV, 

(ii) a one-page motivation letter, 

(iii) MSc transcript (or current grades if not yet defended), and 

(iv) contact details of two academic references 

Thank you very much!

Florin Tatui

Dr. Florin Tatui
Faculty of Geography
Bucharest University
1 N. Balcescu Blv., sector 1, Bucharest
Romania