Postdoc Digital Twin Researcher

Updated: over 1 year ago
Deadline: 30 Oct 2022

Postdoc Digital Twin Researcher
Postdoc Digital Twin Researcher
Published Deadline Location
today 30 Oct Delft

Job description

The Delft geothermal project (or “Delft Aardwarmte Project – DAPwell”) is not only going to provide large-scale district heating and intermittent thermal energy storage for the TU Delft campus and adjacent city of Delft, it is also set to become a unique R&D infrastructure for geothermal energy in Europe thanks to its extensive geological and geophysical monitoring programme. It will be at the heart of the new “GEoscience Twin for SubSurface Energy Lab (GETSS Energy Lab)” at TU Delft, which has the aim to develop a unique “digital twin” for low-carbon geoenergy reservoirs and provide an inclusive and collaborative research environment for the Department of Geoscience and Engineering and beyond.

Designing geological models of subsurface reservoirs is a crucial aspect to estimate how much energy is available underground, to support reservoir management decisions, and to identify and mitigate operational risks. Good reservoir models have several requirements: (i) They need to capture the magnitude and scale of heterogeneity as well as the degree of reservoir connectivity and complexity of the flow paths; (ii) they need to adequately account for geological uncertainties by considering different geological scenarios; (iii) they need to be agile so they can be continuously updated as new data become available; (iv) they need to provide reliable uncertainty bounds for production forecasts that allow us to make reservoir management decisions that optimise production and minimise risks; (v) they need to be built with a purpose and allow us to challenge our understanding of the subsurface geology and its impact on the dynamic reservoir behaviour.

The key purpose of this post-doctoral project is hence to use a multi-scenario reservoir modelling approach to design an ensemble of static and dynamic reservoir models for the DAPwell project and continuously update these models as new data becomes available, so as to make reliable predictions about future reservoir performance and identify which type of data helps us most to reduce the uncertainties in these predictions. Rather than relying solely on commercial software tools, this project will employ a series of open-source reservoir modelling tools developed in-house (e.g. RRM and DARTS) to provide the required agility in reservoir modelling and updating, and create a suitable digital twin for the DAPwell Project. More specifically, this post-doctoral project has the following objectives:

  • To use scenario-based modelling to design the geological models for the DAPwell, together with science-team and project-based geologist, and account for possible geological uncertainties in the reservoir model;
  • To prepare a digital twin framework for the DAPwell project, together with colleagues from the department and the GETSS Energy Lab, that allows us to continuously update the reservoir models and investigate how these model updates impact the performance forecasts for the DAP Well project and affect uncertainty estimates;
  • To support the data manager of the DAPwell Project by analysing how new data can be best integrated into the geological and digital twin;
  • To perform an initial uncertainty quantification and risk analysis based on the initial data for the DAPwell;
  • To continuously update the reservoir model while additional data becomes available;
  • To continuously evaluate uncertainties and risks for DAPwell project;
  • To perform a value-of-information analysis to determine how the acquisition of new data helps to reduce uncertainties in geothermal energy projects;
  • To present the findings to the stakeholders of the DAPwell project and the wider R&D community at national and international conferences;
  • To publish key findings in high-quality peer-reviewed journal publications.

Specifications
  • 32—40 hours per week
  • €2960—€4670 per month
  • Delft View on Google Maps

Delft University of Technology (TU Delft)


Requirements

We are acutely aware that we are a diverse society and not every talented applicant will have had the same opportunities to advance their careers. We therefore pledge to fully account for any particular circumstances that the applicants disclose (e.g. parental leave, caring duties, part-time jobs to support studies, disabilities etc.) to ensure an inclusive and fair recruitment process that does not rely purely on common research metrics.

The successful applicant will hold a PhD degree in geoscience or reservoir engineering, has strong numerate and programming skills, and a sound and quantitative understanding how to integrate geoscience, reservoir characterisation, reservoir modelling, and reservoir simulation for geo-energy applications. Experience in uncertainty quantification techniques (e.g., Bayesian Interference) is particularly welcomed. Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, and the ability to work in an interdisciplinary and international team, are an essential requirement for this position.


Conditions of employment

Fixed-term contract: 3 years.

This full-time position is fully funded by the TU Delft Excellence Fund for the duration of three years. The role-holder will be a key appointment to the GETSSEnergy Lab and join a vibrant and internationally renowned department working across a wide range of geoenergy challenges. The role holder will also become part of the department’s newly established Energi Simulation Centre for Geoenergy, benefitting from access to another extensive  international research network. The role-holder will work on one of the premier geothermal research projects in Europe, if not world-wide, and gather extensive experience in state-of-the-art reservoir modelling and simulation, incl. uncertainty quantification and value-of-information analysis, for geothermal energy applications. These activities will equip the role-holder with a unique set of skills to work on range of geoenergy challenges in major energy companies, consultancies, or in academic or national research centres.

Salary and benefits are in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities. The TU Delft offers a customisable compensation package, a discount on health insurance and sport memberships, and a monthly work costs contribution. Flexible work schedules can be arranged.

For international applicants we offer the Coming to Delft Service and Partner Career Advice to assist you with your relocation. An International Children's Centre offers childcare and there is an international primary school.


Employer
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!


Department
Faculty 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 depletion, urbanisation and the availability of clean water, conducted  in close cooperation with a wide range of research institutions. CEG is convinced that Open Science helps to achieve our goals 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.


Additional information

For further information (including the graduate school admission requirements), please see the job announcement or contact Sebastian Geiger at [email protected] .

Interesting links:

  • https://geothermiedelft.nl/en/
  • https://www.tudelft.nl/citg/over-faculteit/afdelingen/geoscience-engineering/research/geothermal/geothermal-science-and-engineering/

Working at TU Delft

Join the oldest and largest technical university in the Netherlands. Work on clever solutions for worldwide challenges, to change the world and make an impact. Ready to bring your energy to our research?


Challenge, change, impact!

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Application procedure

Are you interested in this vacancy? Please apply before 30 October 2022 deadline at 23.59 CEST via the application button and upload:

  • Your CV (including publication list)
  • Motivation statement.
  • Contact details of two referees.

Please note:

  • You can apply online. We will not process applications sent by email and/or post.
  • A pre-Employment screening can be part of the selection procedure.
  • Acquisition in response to this vacancy is not appreciated.


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