Postdoctoral researcher on Multi-scale modeling of particle transport including diffusiophoresis in porous media for groundwater remediation
15 Jan 2024
Job Information
- Organisation/Company
UNIVERSITE D'ORLEANS- Research Field
Physics
Engineering » Mechanical engineering
Computer science » Modelling tools- Researcher Profile
Recognised Researcher (R2)- Country
France- Application Deadline
16 Feb 2024 - 20:00 (Europe/Paris)- Type of Contract
Temporary- Job Status
Full-time- Offer Starting Date
1 Mar 2024- Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme?
HE / ERC- Reference Number
101039854- Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure?
No
Offer Description
ERC project “TRACE-it” (2022-2027), summary:
Many engineering applications foreseen the usage of small particles for groundwater remediation or for sealing damaged geological confinement barriers, however, delivering materials to a contaminated or damaged region is challenging. TRACE-it aims at controlling the flow of colloidal particles in subsurface geological environments using in situ solute concentration gradients. The phenomenon, known as diffusiophoresis, has a tremendous potential to move colloids to regions that are inaccessible by conventional transport. Diffusiophoretic transport in porous media, however, has received very little attention so far. How to use concentration gradients of solute to transport colloids towards target regions? The team of TRACE-it project uses a combined experimental-modelling approach to tackle this challenge. More information here https://erc-trace-it.cnrs.fr/
Role of the candidate
The objective is to develop a robust and validated macroscale model for particulate transport in porous media. The model will couple solute distributions predicted for subsurface processes (e.g. due to a contaminant dissolving in groundwater or due to mineral dissolution) and diffusiophoretic transport. The candidate will adopt a multi-scale strategy starting at the pore-scale before upscaling to the macro-scale. For that, the candidate will,
- Perform an extensive literature review on diffusiophoresis and solute transport in porous media,
- Develop an OpenFOAM-based pore-scale simulator to describe diffusiophoretic transport of colloids in porous media. The candidate will benchmark Lagrangian and Eulerian approaches,
- Verify the model prediction using the experimental data obtained in our microfluidic facilities,
- Investigate numerically the transport of particles by diffusiophoresis in porous media of various geometry, and for different colloid properties in terms of radius and surface charges,
- Upscale the results to the macroscale.
- Participate to the weekly group meetings,
- Present results in national, international conferences and in high-ranked journal, write progress reports.
This work will allow the design of new remediation strategies to bring colloidal particles to contaminated area in subsurface environments.
References:
S. Marbach, H. Yoshida, L. Bocquet (2020), Local and global force balance for diffusiophoretic transport, Journal of Fluid Mechanics: 892, A6.
S. Shin, J. Ault, P. Warren, H. Stone (2017), Accumulation of Colloidal Particles in Flow Junctions Induced by Fluid Flow and Diffusiophoresis”, Physical Review X, 7
C. Soulaine, J. Maes, S. Roman (2021), Computational microfluidics for geosciences, Frontiers in Water: 3, p. 11.
D. Velegol, A. Garg, R. Guha, A. Kar, M. Kumar (2016), Origins of concentration gradients for diffusiophoresis, Soft Matter: 12 (21), pp. 4686–4703.
Work environment
Institut des Sciences de la Terre d’Orléans (ISTO)
The position is located at the Earth Sciences Institute of Orléans (ISTO) in France. ISTO is a joint research laboratory between CNRS, the University of Orléans, and BRGM located on the Geosciences campus of Orléans close to Paris, France. The Porous Media Research Group develops cutting-edge research and worldwide recognized expertise on multi-scale modelling and microfluidic experiments of multiphase flow and reactive transport in geological formations. Our objective is to decipher the mechanisms involved in the remediation of contaminated groundwater, in the underground storage, and in new energy vectors based on the use of the subsurface.
Collaborations
The candidate will join a network of leading-edge national research institutions including CNRS, BRGM, Sorbonne University, Geosciences Rennes, and Université de Pau et des Pays de l’Adour, and international collaborations including Heriot-Watt University, Julich Forschungszentrum, Ghent University, TU Delft, Lawrence Berkeley National Lab, Princeton University, and Stanford University.
The candidate will have the opportunity to spend time at Princeton University in the group of Prof. Howard Stone who is internationally renowned for studying the dynamics of complex fluids including extensive work on diffusiophoresis phenomena.
Requirements
- Research Field
- Physics
- Education Level
- PhD or equivalent
- Research Field
- Engineering » Mechanical engineering
- Education Level
- PhD or equivalent
- Research Field
- Computer science » Modelling tools
- Education Level
- PhD or equivalent
Skills/Qualifications
PhD degree, background in engineering, physics, soft matter, computational science, fluid dynamics, or Computational Fluid Dynamics. Prior knowledge of OpenFOAM is a plus but not a prerequisite. A strong taste for research, autonomy. Drafting quality.
- Languages
- ENGLISH
- Level
- Good
Internal Application form(s) needed
ERC_TRACE-it_diffusiphoresis_PostDoc_jan2024.pdf
English
(247.02 KB - PDF)
Download
Additional Information
Selection process
To apply: send a CV, cover letter, reference letter(s).
Work Location(s)
- Number of offers available
- 1
- Company/Institute
- Institut des Sciences de la Terre d'Orléans
- Country
- France
- City
- Orléans
- Postal Code
- 45000
- Geofield
Where to apply
[email protected]
Contact
- City
Orléans- Website
http://www.univ-orleans.fr/- Street
Château de la Source, Avenue du Parc Floral- Postal Code
45067
STATUS: EXPIRED