Ilja completed the BSc Soil Water Atmosphere and MSc Earth in Environment in April 2019, both at Wageningen University. During her MSc studies, she investigated evaporation and salt accumulation effects on freshwater lenses in collaboration with Flinders University and the University of Queensland (Australia). Since February 2020, she has been working as a geohydrologist in the groundwater department at the Deltares knowledge institute, where she, in collaboration with colleagues, conducts research into the effects of climate change (sea level rise and import periods of drought) on groundwater salinization. As of January 1, 2024, she started her PhD at the DeltaWealth project under the supervision of Dr. Ir. Niko Wanders, Dr. Ir. Gualbert Oude Essink and Dr. Ir. Joost Delsman (Deltares).

DeltaWealth contributes to solutions for a safe, ecologically healthy and economically prosperous SW-Delta in the next 50-100 years, by developing science-based knowledge on overarching adaptation strategies coined ‘I - protect-open’, ‘II - protect-closed’, ‘III - seaward-defence’, and their combination. There are 7 work packages (WP) that focus on different aspects ranging from flood risk management, salinity and fresh water supply, ecology, regional economy and welfare, public support and knowledge utilization.

Ilja will be involved in WP3: Salinization and freshwater availability for agriculture, nature, industry and households in future delta plans. Her research will provide insight into freshwater availability, and thus delta life, in the SW Delta.