PhD student – Geomechanical numerical modelling – project SpannEnD

Area of research:

PHD Thesis

Job description:The Helmholtz Centre Potsdam – GFZ German Research Centre for Geosciences is the national centre for geosphere research. As a member of the Helmholtz Association of German Research Centres we are part of the largest scientific organization in Germany. With approximately 1,500 employees our key mission is to secure a profound understanding of the systems and processes of solid Earth, to develop strategies and options for action in addressing global change and its impacts on a regional level, to understand natural hazards and to minimize associated risks, to ensure the sustainable provision of energy and raw materials for a high-tech society and to evaluate the influence of human activity on system Earth.

In the context of the energy transition and the associated phase-out of coal and nuclear energy, a considerably more intensive use of the underground will be necessary, e.g. for energy storage, usage of deep geothermal systems, or the sequestration of CO2 into the subsurface. Another challenge in the future is the long-term safe storage of high-level nuclear waste into a deep geological repository. These future new and changed utilisation concepts place new demands on the integrity and long-term stability of georeservoirs both directly related to the stress state and its human-induced stress changes.

For section 2.6 Seismic Hazard and Risk Dynamics we are looking for a:

Reference Number 8476

In this research project, we are offering a PhD position for an ambitious and motivated student to undertake forward 3‑D geomechanical-numerical modelling of the contemporary stress state of the subsurface on reservoir scale. In particular we focus on new concepts to calibrate models using data from borehole logs (FMI, UBI, caliper etc.) as well as Formation Integrity, Leak-Off and Micro-Hydraulic Fracture tests in an integrative way. In particular we would like to explore the minimum amount of data needed to receive a robust stress prediction for a safe usage of the subsurface. The candidate will be part of the joint project SpannEnD funded by the BGE (federal company for radioactive waste disposal). The partners of the project are the TU Darmstadt (Prof. Andreas Henk, Dr. Karsten Reiter) and the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (Prof. Frank Schilling, Dr. Birgit Müller).

Your responsibilities:

• Application, analysis and further processing of different stress information data sets
• Application and expansion of our modelling workflow that is based on the commercial software packages Hypermesh (discretization), Abaqus (Finite Element Solver), and Tecplot 360 EX (visualization).
• Construction and simulation of generic models and a case study using a 3D model of a deep geological repository for high-level nuclear waste from our Swiss partner NAGRA
• Method development for the extension and improvement of model calibration
• Publication of research results in international journals and at conferences
• Collaboration with national and international partners

Your qualifications:

• Master`s degree (or equivalent) in geophysics, geology, geotechnics or physics
• Affinity for modelling and use of numerical methods
• Basic knowledge in statistics, script languages (Python, Matlab) and numerical tools is an advantage, but no requirement
• Ability to work in a goal-oriented and structured manner
• Strong teamwork and communication skills for working in an interdisciplinary environment

Start date: As soon as possible
Fixed-term: 3 years
Salary: The position is classed as salary group 13 according to “TVöD Bund (Tarifgebiet Ost)”. The salary group is determined on the basis of the Collective Wage Agreement and the respective personal qualifications.
Working hours: Part-time 75% (currently 29.25 h/week)
Place of work: Potsdam

What we offer:

• Ambitious and varied tasks in a dynamic and international research environment
• State-of-the-art equipment
• Public service benefits
• Extensive training opportunities
• Professional career advice offered by our in-house Career-Centre
• Flexible working hours and conditions
• Support with finding a good work-life balance offered by benefit@work
• Institute day-care centre on site
• Working at the Albert Einstein science park on the Telegrafenberg in Potsdam
• Work place within walking distance of Potsdam main train station, or just a short ride on the shuttle bus

Have we piqued your interest?

If so, we look forward to receiving your application by 5th November 2023. Please use our online application form only.

Diversity and equal opportunities are integral components of our human resources policy. The GFZ actively promotes diversity and explicitly welcomes applications from all qualified individuals, regardless of ethnic and social origin, nationality, gender, sexual orientation and identity, religion/belief, age and physical characteristics. Anyone who has been recognized as severely disabled, will be given preferential consideration in the event of equal suitability and qualification in accordance with the provisions of the German Social Code IX. If you have any questions, please contact our representative for the severely disabled at sbv[at]gfz-potsdam.de, who will be happy to assist you in the further application process. In case of further queries regarding gender equality, please do not hesitate to contact our Equal Opportunities Officer at gba[at]gfz-potsdam.de.

Your personal data will be processed for the purpose of conducting the selection procedure on the basis of Art. 6 para. 1 b, Art. 88 GDPR in conjunction with Art. 26 of the Data Protection Act for the State of Brandenburg. After completion of the procedure, application documents will be deleted in compliance with data protection regulations.

In case of any further queries relating to the field of activity, please contact Dr. Oliver Heidbach either via email at heidbach@gfz-potsdam.de or phone +49 (0)331-6264-2814. If you have any general questions about the application process, please contact our recruiting team at our phone number +49 (0) 331-6264-28787.

This research center is part of the Helmholtz Association of German Research Centers. With more than 42,000 employees and an annual budget of over € 5 billion, the Helmholtz Association is Germany’s largest scientific organisation.