PhD Position AI & Big Data in Sea and Shipping Performance Optimization: In

at  TU Delft

JOB DESCRIPTION

As a PhD candidate within the Sea and Shipping AI research program, this position involves a comprehensive exploration of both the strategic and operational dimensions of maritime infrastructure within the dynamic North Sea environment. Incorporating advanced AI models and extensive data resources, the research addresses critical challenges to enhance sea and shipping performance across multiple levels.
From a strategic perspective, the focus includes infrastructure state monitoring, resilience, space requirements, and investments, with particular attention to understanding and quantifying the impact of new wind parks on collision risks. The research is aimed at helping Rijkswaterstaat gain better insights into how collision and allision risks evolve as new wind parks are planned and constructed. These risks are studied not only as a function of infrastructure presence but also with respect to environmental conditions and traffic intensity patterns. This includes elements such as analyzing wind and wave climates and employing hydrodynamic modeling to predict the drift paths of incapacitated vessels.
On the operational side, the role emphasizes real-time monitoring, traffic flow optimization, and anomaly detection. These techniques are intended to assist the Coastguard in enhancing traffic management and emergency response capabilities. This includes improving early warning capabilities and automating issue prioritization, thereby enabling more effective and timely interventions. Specific applications may include the development of advanced AI-driven risk prediction tools, automated warning systems, and methodologies for responding to collision risks and other disruptions.
Through these investigations, the position contributes to the creation of innovative frameworks that integrate strategic asset management with operational efficiency to support the evolving needs of North Sea infrastructure.

JOB REQUIREMENTS

We are looking for excellent candidates who are passionate about maritime applications and have a proven interdisciplinary track record. This position requires extensive expertise in artificial intelligence and working with big datasets. In particular, we look for candidates with:

• An MSc degree in Civil Engineering, Maritime Engineering, Transport and Infrastructure, or any other related field
• Advanced skills in applying AI models and big data analytics to diverse data sources
• Extensive expertise in scripting with Python
• Affinity with maritime applications, nautical traffic, and safety issues, including the ability to couple hydrometeo aspects to ship response and behavior, and translate this information to nautical safety impacts
• Strong problem-solving abilities for complex issues in sea infrastructure state and use
• Affinity with agent-based and discrete-event simulation is a plus
• Ability to work in a collaborative, multidisciplinary environment both with scientific partners and stakeholders from industry

Doing a PhD at TU Delft requires English proficiency at a certain level to ensure that the candidate is able to communicate and interact well, participate in English-taught Doctoral Education courses, and write scientific articles and a final thesis. More specifically, TOEFL or IELTS English proficiency tests are required for all applicants except those whose MSc program was taught in English. The minimum requirement of a TOEFL score is 100 and IELTS is 7.0. For more details please check the Graduate Schools Admission Requirements.

Please refer the Job description for details