PhD Position Inspection and Assessment of Deteriorated Half-Joint Connections of Concrete Bridges
Delft University of Technology (TU Delft)
New PhD Opportunity: Inspection and assessment of the deteriorated 'blinde spot' of concrete bridges: half-joint (dapped-end) connections.
Job description
Half-joint (dapped-end) connections are a common design feature in concrete bridges worldwide. However, they are inherently vulnerable to cracking, corrosion, and a lack of structural redundancy. In the Netherlands, the safety of these structures depends on the integrity of the lower nibs. These are typically slab structures that are known as being difficult to inspect without significant traffic disruption.
This research project aims to establish a reliability-based safety assessment of typical Dutch half-joint connections integrating innovative Non-Destructive Testing (NDT) with advanced structural modeling.
As a PhD candidate, you will bridge the gap between experimental NDT and structural safety analysis. Your work will involve:
- NDT Innovation: Exploiting and developing NDT technologies tailored specifically for Dutch half-joint geometries.
- Data Analytics: Developing advanced analysis methods to identify and characterize local damage.
- Structural Modeling: Interpreting NDT data through theoretical models to determine residual bearing capacity.
- Uncertainty Quantification: Quantifying and propagating uncertainties from inspections and degradation models into a robust structural safety framework.
- Experimental Validation: Designing and performing laboratory experiments on half-joint specimens to validate your NDT methods and numerical models.
You will be part of the section Concrete Structures in the Department of Engineering Structures at TU Delft. You will work closely with another PhD candidate on analytical modelling of half joints without deterioration. Your research will be immediately disseminated in the daily practices on assessment the existing concrete half joints by an interdisciplinary team including structural engineering companies and asset owners. International collaboration and industrial workshops are embedded in the project, providing you with excellent exposure and networking opportunities.
Job requirements
You are a motivated graduate looking to apply your skills and curiosity to create a greener transportation industry. With your pioneering mindset and communicative nature, you thrive in complex multi-disciplinary teams and you’re not fazed or overwhelmed by the ambitious nature of the project.
You also have:
- An MSc degree in Civil Engineering, or a related field.
- A solid background and keen interest in NDT for concrete, modelling of concrete structures and structural reliability.
- Good communication skills and the ability to collaborate in a multidisciplinary team.
- Willingness to carrying out large scale experiments both in the lab and in situ.
TU Delft (Delft University of Technology)
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!
Faculty of Civil Engineering and 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.
Click here to go to the website of the Faculty of Civil Engineering & Geosciences.
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
If you would like more information about this vacancy or the selection procedure, please contact Yuguang Yang, Yuguang.Yang@tudelft.nl.
Application procedure
Are you interested in this vacancy? Please apply no later than 15 April 2026 via the application button and upload the following documents:
- CV
- Motivational letter
You can address your application to Yuguang Yang.
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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