About Hilde Passier
Dr Hilde Passier is an expert geochemist, strategic advisor, and coordinator of mission-driven research at Deltares. Since 2006, she has held management roles at the intersection of knowledge development and application, serving as a knowledge manager and department head.
Currently, she coordinates the Deltares moonshot on Resilient and healthy water and subsurface systems and she previously led strategic research programs for both Deltares and TNO. Hilde also coordinates the applied-knowledge program on water and soil quality for the Dutch Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management.
Her work involves developing and executing applied research projects and programs for numerous national and international clients and consortia. Her areas of focus include water and subsurface quality, environmental science, water resource management, climate change, and the sustainable use of subsurface and water resources.
Key elements of her work are a mission-driven approach, knowledge entrepreneurship, co-creation, and collaboration with knowledge partners and other stakeholders. Hilde has been with Deltares and TNO since 2003. Prior to that, she was a researcher in the Department of Geochemistry at Utrecht University, where she obtained her PhD in Marine Geochemistry in 1998. She also worked as a postdoctoral researcher at the Paleomagnetic Laboratory at Utrecht University and as a consultant on water and ecology for the consulting engineering company Royal Haskoning (IWACO) in Rotterdam.
Working experience
Deltares
Coordinator of one of the five mission-driven moonshots of Deltares ‘Resilient and healthy water and subsurface systems for humans and nature’ · Programming and coordinating SITO-IS projects; narrative development; portfolio development · Collaboration with project leaders and moonshot coordinators
2023 - presentDeltares
Programming and coordination of applied knowledge projects and collaboration with WVL and I&W · Theme Water and Soil Quality, SITO-PS (2023 – present) · Program Water quality and nature, KPP (2016 – 2022)
2016 – presentDeltares
Research expert, advisor, project manager · Various clients and stakeholders · Dutch, European and international projects on water and subsurface
2008 – presentDeltares
Programming and coordination of strategic research projects with a leadership team of Deltares colleagues (SO, SITO-IS) · Program Ecosystem Health (2021-2023); Program Environmental Quality (2019 – 2020); Program Eco Innovation (2013 – 2015)
2013 – 2015; 2019 – 2023Deltares
Development and execution of Dutch research program for Ministry Infrastructure and Water Management, STOWA, water authorities and provinces · Collaboration of Deltares, KWR, RIVM, WEnR and TNO · Deltares representative in program management team, coordination of the program · Execution of project Knowledge Valorization and project Groundwater
2016 – 2022Deltares
The Hague, one day a week January through June · Policy advisor, DGWB, Soil
2019Deltares
Head of Department of Subsurface and Groundwater Quality, Unit Subsurface and Groundwater Systems (2010-2019) · Head of Department of Groundwater Quality, Unit Subsurface and Groundwater Systems (2008-2010) · Management of human resources, operations, market, and knowledge for team of about 25 persons · Coaching of professionals · Network with research partners and clients
2008 – 2019Institute of applied geosciences TNO
Deputy management of Department of Soil Quality Management · Coaching of professionals · Knowledge management regarding quality of soil and water, coordination of strategic research program, self-assessment knowledge position audit
2006 – 2008Institute of applied geosciences TNO
Hydrogeochemist · Department of Groundwater · Research expert, advisor, project manager · Various clients and stakeholders, Dutch, European and international projects
2003 – 2008IWACO/Royal Haskoning
Geochemist · Consultancy group Water and Ecology, Rotterdam · Research expert, consultant, project manager · Various clients and stakeholders, Dutch and international projects
2001 – 2003Paleomagnetic Laboratory, Utrecht University
Postdoctoral researcher NWO; rock magnetism and iron sulfides; laboratory, field and desk study · Writing scientific publications · Co-chief scientist marine research expedition in the Mediterranean Sea · Teaching and supervising bachelor, master and PhD students
1998 – 2000Department of Geochemistry, Utrecht University
PhD student (aio) · Marine geochemistry; laboratory, field and desk study · EU MAST project, collaboration with European research partners · PhD student; writing scientific publications and thesis ‘Sulphur geochemistry and sapropel formation’ · Teaching and supervising bachelor and master students
1994 – 1998