PhD position on Multi-scale modelling of aquitard hydraulic conductivity (0.8 - 1.0 FTE)

A better future for everyone. This ambition motivates our scientists in executing their leading research and inspiring teaching. At

Utrecht University

, the various disciplines collaborate intensively towards major societal themes. Our focus is on Dynamics of Youth, Institutions for Open Societies, Life Sciences and Sustainability.

Utrecht University's

Faculty of Geosciences

studies the Earth: from the Earth's core to its surface, including man's spatial and material utilisation of the Earth - always with a focus on sustainability and innovation. With 3,400 students (BSc and MSc) and 720 staff, the Faculty is a strong and challenging organisation. The Faculty of Geosciences is organised in four Departments: Earth Sciences, Human Geography & Spatial Planning, Physical Geography, and Sustainable Development.

The Department of Physical Geography excels in research and education on BSc, MSc and PhD level. Our research focuses on processes, patterns and dynamics of Earth’s continental and coastal systems, and on the interaction between these processes. This knowledge is essential for the sustainable management of our planet and to guarantee the availability of resources for the next generations. The department hosts an active, supportive and informal PhD community of about 40 people working on a wide variety of topics. More information about the department Physical Geography is available on www.uu.nl/geo/fg.

TNO Geological Survey of the Netherlands has developed four models for the shallow subsurface (up to 500 metres deep) based on the hundreds of thousand drillings and cone penetration tests in the DINO database. TNO-GSN also develops models for the deep subsurface up to a depth of 4 to 5 thousand metres. Subsurface models use all the available knowledge to produce the most faithful representation possible of the subsurface. They predict strata structure and characteristics, including the gases and fluids present. The models integrate basic geological information and by linking to other databases enable us to answer specific questions, like the risks of subsurface intervention, the construction of infrastructure above and below the ground, production of gravel, sand, clay, limestone and groundwater, subsidence predictions or the use of geothermal heating. Based on collected data and knowledge, these subsurface (3D) models are parameterized with hydrological parameters and are regularly updated, the most important being GeoTOP and REGIS II. These models are often used for the subsurface schematization of groundwater models. The results of TNO-GSN data collection and research are stored in databases which are freely accessible to the public (www.dinoloket.nl ).