PhD Position Understanding the Non-Stationary Nature of Human-Induced Earthquakes and its Impact on Geothermal Energy Production

7 Mar 2024
Job Information

Organisation/Company

Delft University of Technology (TU Delft)

Research Field

Technology

Researcher Profile

First Stage Researcher (R1)

Country

Netherlands

Application Deadline

1 Apr 2024 - 21:59 (UTC)

Type of Contract

Temporary

Job Status

Not Applicable

Hours Per Week

40.0

Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme?

Not funded by an EU programme

Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure?

No

Offer Description

The research programme DeepNL aims to improve the fundamental understanding of the dynamics of the deep subsurface under the influence of human interventions and the resulting effects at the Earth's surface. DeepNL focuses on induced earthquakes and subsidence caused by gas extraction in the Groningen area. This PhD position is part of the DeepNL project NEPTUNUS (“Novel methods for the Evaluation and Physical understanding of the Transient natUre of iNdUced Seismicity”).

Earthquakes resulting from human interventions in the subsurface (such as the production or storage of natural gas or hydrogen, or geothermal energy production) have fundamentally different characteristics compared to natural earthquakes. Understanding the essential non-stationary character of the processes that caused human-induced earthquakes in the Groningen natural gas field in the Netherlands is expected to be a key ingredient to avoiding such problems in future applications of geothermal energy production in this country.

As part of a multi-disciplinary research effort this PhD project involves:

• The creation of new, and further development of existing semi-analytical and numerical techniques for the fast simulation of induced seismicity. This includes fault-interaction functionality, advanced friction models and/or other features related to the non-stationary nature of induced seismicity.
• The simulation of synthetic earthquake catalogues, inclusion of model/parameter uncertainties through a probabilistic approach, and comparison with measured Groningen earthquake data. This will involve analysis of the observed and simulated spatiotemporal patterns, developing and testing hypothesis of underlying physical mechanisms, and investigating the relevance of the findings for potential induced seismicity in geothermal reservoirs.

Further development of the project will also depend on the scientific results, their practical applicability, and the skills, interest and initiative of the PhD candidate.

The supervisory team for this PhD position will be Prof. Jan-Dirk Jansen (Promotor, supervisor for modelling aspects; TU Delft Dept. of Geoscience and Engineering - GSE), Dr. Annemarie Muntendam-Bos (Co-promotor, seismological aspects; TU Delft GSE and Dutch State Supervision of Mines), Dr. B.J Meulenbroek, mathematical aspects; TU Delft, Institute of Applied Mathematics) and Dr. Loes Buijze (implementation aspects; Dutch applied research institute TNO). Interactions are expected with several other NEPTUNUS project team members, in particular, Dr. Ylona van Dinther (Utrecht University - UU), prof. Dr. Jan Diederik van Wees (UU/TNO), Dr.ir. Femke Vossepoel (TU Delft GSE) (Neptunus project PI) and visiting scientist Dr. Elias Heimisson (U. of Iceland). The research will be primarily performed at TU Delft with possible temporary relocation to SodM or TNO as required.

The research programme DeepNL aims to improve the fundamental understanding of the dynamics of the deep subsurface under the influence of human interventions and the resulting effects at the Earth's surface. DeepNL focuses on induced earthquakes and subsidence caused by gas extraction in the Groningen area.

This PhD position is part of the DeepNL project NEPTUNUS (“Novel methods for the Evaluation and Physical understanding of the Transient natUre of iNdUced Seismicity”).

Requirements
Specific Requirements

The successful candidate should preferably have:

• An MSc (or equivalent) in geophysics with an interest in applied mathematics, or in applied mathematics with an interest in geophysical applications.
• Familiarity with solid mechanics and/or the theory of (poro-)elasticity is desirable. However candidates with substantial computational skills who come from another science or engineering background, and who are not afraid of diving into a fascinating topic with high societal relevance, are welcome to apply.
• Coding skills.
• A good working knowledge of at least Matlab and/or Python.
• Willingness and capacity to interact in a multidisciplinary and multicultural team are essential.

Doing a PhD at TU Delft requires English proficiency at a certain level to ensure that the candidate is able to communicate and interact well, participate in English-taught Doctoral Education courses, and write scientific articles and a final thesis. For more details please check the Graduate Schools Admission Requirements .

Additional Information
Benefits

Doctoral candidates will be offered a 4-year period of employment in principle, but in the form of 2 employment contracts. An initial 1,5 year contract with an official go/no go progress assessment within 15 months. Followed by an additional contract for the remaining 2,5 years assuming everything goes well and performance requirements are met.

Salary and benefits are in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities, increasing from € 2770 per month in the first year to € 3539 in the fourth year. As a PhD candidate you will be enrolled in the TU Delft Graduate School. The TU Delft Graduate School provides an inspiring research environment with an excellent team of supervisors, academic staff and a mentor. The Doctoral Education Programme is aimed at developing your transferable, discipline-related and research skills.

The TU Delft offers a customisable compensation package, discounts on health insurance, and a monthly work costs contribution. Flexible work schedules can be arranged.

For international applicants, TU Delft has the Coming to Delft Service . This service provides information for new international employees to help you prepare the relocation and to settle in the Netherlands. The Coming to Delft Service offers a Dual Career Programme for partners and they organise events to expand your (social) network.

Selection process

Are you interested in this vacancy? Please apply before 1 April 2024 via the application button and upload your motivation and CV.

• 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.
• Please do not contact us for unsolicited services.

Additional comments

For more information about this vacancy, please contact Prof.dr.ir. Jan Dirk Jansen, e-mail: [email protected] .

Website for additional job details

https://www.academictransfer.com/338688/

Work Location(s)

Number of offers available

1

Company/Institute

Delft University of Technology

Country

Netherlands

City

Delft

Postal Code

2628 CD

Street

Mekelweg 2

Geofield

Where to apply

Website

https://www.academictransfer.com/en/338688/phd-position-understanding-the-non-s…

Contact

City

Delft

Website

http://www.tudelft.nl/

Street

Mekelweg 2

Postal Code

2628 CD

STATUS: EXPIRED