Help solve a key challenge in greenhouse horticulture: design high resolution microclimate observation networks to enable energy savings by optimizing the growth microclimate for greenhouse crops.
Job description
Crop microclimate plays a vital role in optimizing productivity of greenhouse crops, yet accurate knowledge of microclimate remains limited. Sensing microclimate variability and gradients in greenhouses and vertical farms comes with specific scientific challenges: sensors must be (1) accurate enough to capture small-scale microclimate variations, and (2) representative of the local microclimate without altering it by their presence. In this PhD project you will help advance novel experimental and theoretical approaches to uncover the complex heat, CO2 and moisture transfer dynamics in greenhouses and vertical farms.
Your PhD research will focus on experimental work, developing new microclimate sensing setups probing the microclimate in and above greenhouse canopies. You will build and test multiple versions of microclimate boxes using different shield configurations and absorbance/reflection material and compare against reference sensors (fine-wire thermometer, high-accuracy hot-wire anemometer for low airflows etc.) in a microclimate sensing setup at Unifarm (WU). Eventually the goal is to design and implement a network of autonomous climate boxes (radiation, T, RH, CO2), including IoT solutions for data communication. In addition to the experimental work, you will analyze in-canopy temperature, water vapor, CO2 profiles & vertical gradients to identify flux-gradient relationships in and above the canopy, addressing questions such as: does the resistance analogy for flux-gradient relationships hold inside the canopy, what is the role of leaf-scale resistance (stomata, boundary layer) relative to aerodynamic resistance (in-canopy airflows), how can they be represented in a multi-layer approach, how to implement source and sink terms of water vapor and CO2.
In this project you will work in close collaboration with a team of PhD researchers and postdocs as well as project partners from industry and the horticulture sector. Therefore, communication skills and proven ability to work productively in a team are important. You will work closely with two supervisors – Marie-Claire ten Veldhuis (experimental expertise) and Bas van de Wiel (theoretical expertise) – and a dedicated technician. This team-oriented supervision approach has proven effective in previous projects, with weekly joint whiteboard sessions.
You will be hosted by the Water Management Department in the Faculty of Civil Engineering and Geosciences at TU Delft. As part of our diverse and dedicated team of professors, lecturers, PhD and postdoc researchers, you will have the opportunity to work closely with leading experts and industry partners at the national and international level.
Job requirements
- You hold an MSc in applied physics, atmospheric science, or a related field.
- You have proven relevant project or thesis experience in experimental work.
- You are a team player and enjoy interdisciplinary collaboration.
- You have a good command of written and spoken English.
TU Delft
Delft University of Technology is built on strong foundations. As creators of the world-famous Dutch waterworks and pioneers in biotech, TU Delft is a top international university combining science, engineering and design. It delivers world class results in education, research and innovation to address challenges in the areas of energy, climate, mobility, health and digital society. For generations, our engineers have proven to be entrepreneurial problem-solvers, both in business and in a social context.
At TU Delft we embrace diversity as one of our core values and we actively engage to be a university where you feel at home and can flourish. We value different perspectives and qualities. We believe this makes our work more innovative, the TU Delft community more vibrant and the world more just. Together, we imagine, invent and create solutions using technology to have a positive impact on a global scale. That is why we invite you to apply. Your application will receive fair consideration.
Challenge. Change. Impact!
The Faculty of Civil Engineering & Geosciences
The Faculty of Civil Engineering & Geosciences (CEG) is committed to outstanding international research and education in the field of civil engineering, applied earth sciences, traffic and transport, water technology, and delta technology. Our research feeds into our educational programmes and covers societal challenges such as climate change, energy transition, resource availability, urbanisation and clean water. Our research projects are conducted in close cooperation with a wide range of research institutions. CEG is convinced of the importance of open science and supports its scientists in integrating open science in their research practice. The Faculty of CEG comprises 28 research groups in the following seven departments: Materials Mechanics Management & Design, Engineering Structures, Geoscience and Engineering, Geoscience and Remote Sensing, Transport & Planning, Hydraulic Engineering and Water Management.
Conditions of employment
Doctoral candidates will be offered a 4-year period of employment in principle, but in the form of 2 employment contracts. An initial 1,5 year contract with an official go/no go progress assessment within 15 months. Followed by an additional contract for the remaining 2,5 years assuming everything goes well and performance requirements are met.
Salary and benefits are in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities, increasing from €3059 - €3881 gross per month, from the first year to the fourth year based on a fulltime contract (38 hours), plus 8% holiday allowance and an end-of-year bonus of 8.3%.
As a PhD candidate you will be enrolled in the TU Delft Graduate School. The TU Delft Graduate School provides an inspiring research environment with an excellent team of supervisors, academic staff and a mentor. The Doctoral Education Programme is aimed at developing your transferable, discipline-related and research skills.
The TU Delft offers a customisable compensation package, discounts on health insurance, and a monthly work costs contribution. Flexible work schedules can be arranged.
Will you need to relocate to the Netherlands for this job? TU Delft is committed to make your move as smooth as possible! The HR unit, Coming to Delft Service, offers information on their website to help you prepare your relocation. In addition, Coming to Delft Service organises events to help you settle in the Netherlands, and expand your (social) network in Delft. A Dual Career Programme is available, to support your accompanying partner with their job search in the Netherlands.
Additional information
For more information about this vacancy, please contact dr. Marie-Claire ten Veldhuis ([email protected]).
Application procedure
Are you interested in this vacancy? Please apply before 15 July 2026 upload:
You can address your application to Marie-Claire ten Veldhuis.
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. For more details please check the Graduate Schools Admission Requirements.
Please note:
- You can apply online. We will not process applications sent by email and/or post.
- As part of knowledge security, TU Delft conducts a risk assessment during the recruitment of personnel. We do this, among other things, to prevent the unwanted transfer of sensitive knowledge and technology. The assessment is based on information provided by the candidates themselves, such as their motivation letter and CV, and takes place at the final stages of the selection process. When the outcome of the assessment is negative, the candidate will be informed. The processing of personal data in the context of the risk assessment is carried out on the legal basis of the GDPR: performing a public task in the public interest. You can find more information about this assessment on our website about knowledge security.
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