PhD student position in hydrology with specialization in transport and leakage of CO2 from heterogeneous subsurface systems

at the Department of Earth Sciences, Program of Air, Water and Landscape Sciences. Start date: 1st November 2011 or as agreed upon.

Geological storage of carbon dioxide in deep geological formations is a viable technology in reducing the atmospheric emissions of CO2 (IPCC, 2007). For the method to be implemented in various geological settings and locations, a thorough understanding of CO2 spreading and the relevant termo-hydro-mechanical-chemical processes is required.

The PhD student will be working closely with the large scale integrating EU FP7 CO2 project MUSTANG (www.co2mustang.eu) coordinated by Uppsala University. This is a collaboration of a large number of top level European and other international research institutes, focusing to the development of new improved methods and models for the characterization of CO2 geological storage in saline aquifers. The holders of the PhD student position is expected to focus on the possible leakage and migration of CO2 gas in shallow heterogeneous systems. Laboratory experiments are planned to setup with online monitoring facility for transport of CO2 gas in porous media.

The successful applicant should have an academic degree in Hydrology/geohydrology, Civil and Environmental engineering, Geosciences or related area. In-depth knowledge of the physics of porous media and solid background in mathematics and physics/chemistry is a requirement. Familiarity with computer modeling and earlier experience in programming, numerical methods as well as laboratory experiments will be given priority.

The PhD position is for 4 years as an employee at the Department of Earth Sciences, Uppsala University. The qualifications of the applicant will be assessed by an assessment committee. Other assignments within the department, such as teaching and administrative tasks can be included up to 20%. In order to be eligible, you will have to be registered as a PhD student.

Applications should include a CV, university transcripts that include a list of courses and grades, any publications, a short description of research interests, and recommendations from two persons related to your research/studies.

More information can be obtained from Dr. Prabhakar Sharma, e-mail: prabhakar.sharma@geo.uu.se, Ph. +4618-471-2332 +4618-471-2332 or Dr. Auli Niemi, E-mail: auli.niemi@geo.uu.se.

Representative for trade unions are Anders Grundström, Saco-rådet, Ph. +4618-471 53 80 +4618-471 53 80, Carin Söderhäll, OFR-S/ST, Ph. +4618-471 19 96 +4618-471 19 96, Stefan Djurström, Seko, Ph. +4618-471 33 15 +4618-471 33 15.

You are welcome to submit your application no later than 31st August, 2011, UFV-PA 2011/1496. Use the link below to access the application form.

PhD student position in hydrology with specialization in transport and leakage of CO2 from heterogeneous subsurface systems

Candidates shall have a University Degree in the disciplines Chemistry resp. Physics, Civil Engineering, Mathematics and a PhD in the resp. fields. They shall be employed at 100% of the regular weekly working time (39,8 hours/week) at first for two years. Specialisation / interest should be in the fields of the synthesis of new organic compounds for the investigation of fluid-fluid / fluid-solid interfacial processes and / or surface interaction processes. A thorough understanding of the thermodynamics of multiphase systems together with kinetically controlled transport processes between phases is required. For the modelling position interest /experience in the simulation of surface processes and / or multiphase flow processes would be advantageous. Salary is according to TV-L, depending on qualifications.

The University of Göttingen plans to increase the numbers of female researchers, especially in those areas where women are underrepresented. Therefore qualified female researchers are highly encouraged to apply. Mobility impaired researchers shall be preferentially employed, providing equal qualifications.

A written application including the standard materials should be sent at the latest 3 weeks after the advertisement to: Prof. Dr. Martin Sauter, Geowissenschaftliches Zentrum der Universität Göttingen, Abteilung Angewandte Geologie, Goldschmidtstrasse 3, 37077 Göttingen.

We request that you send us copies of your application documents. We will destroy the documents after a holding period of five months. Application documents will only be returned to you if you provide a self-addressed adequately stamped envelope.