Research Assistant/Associate (f/m/d) - PhD Position (numerical) in Engineering Geology

Weitere Informationen

The successful candidate will be employed under a regular employment contract.
The position is to be filled by 3/1/2025 and offered for a fixed term of 3 years.
The fixed-term employment is possible as it constitutes one of the fixed-term options of the Wissenschaftszeitvertragsgesetz (German Act on Fixed-term Scientific Contracts).
This is a part-time position (75 % of the standard weekly hours for full-time employees).
The successful candidate has the opportunity to pursue a doctoral degree in this position.
The salary is based on the German public service salary scale (TV-L).
The position corresponds to a pay grade of EG 13 TV-L.

Unser Profil

The research focus of the Chair of Engineering Geology at RWTH Aachen University with its 40 employees is on the analysis of thermo-hydro-mechanically coupled problems in the fields of tunnel construction, unstable rock slopes and natural hazards, repositories for radioactive waste and deep geothermal energy. 

We are a group of dynamic and international scientists with interests in all aspects of experimental and computational geomechanics, with a strong focus on applied topics.

Ihr Profil

• University degree (Master's or equivalent) in the project-related discipline (e.g., applied geosciences, engineering geology, geotechnical engineering)
• Good knowledge of computational mechanics, rock mechanics and structural geology
• Good knowledge of programming languages, e.g., C++ or Python
• Reliable, ambitious, and able to work both independently and with a team
• Excellent written and communication skills in English
• Ability to quickly develop related research skills and knowledge

Ihre Aufgaben

Project title: THM-coupled Reservoir Response during non-Isothermal Fluid Circulation in Geothermal Systems (TOUGH)

Project description: The demand for clean, sustainable, renewable and domestic energy resources has been grown rapidly during the last couple of decades. The extraction of Earth’s heat, known as geothermal energy, could contribute to the growing share of renewable energies in order to fulfill the future energy demand and also neutralize the spread of CO2 across the globe. Although the heat production from geothermal resources is not new, the heat extraction for electricity generation is one of the challenging techniques for the community due to various reasons such as dispersed distribution of heat at shallow depth and the requirement to reach a depth range of 4-6 km for electricity generation, impermeability of the host rock at these depths and necessity for reservoir stimulation to reach a sufficient permeability and connectivity and last but not least the induced seismicity potential during the reservoir creation, development and production phases. In this project, TOUGH, we intend to carry out a series of controlled experiments involving the circulation of fluid in both isothermal and   non-isothermal conditions within a fractured and densely instrumented reservoir at the Grimsel underground research laboratory, Switzerland. Our focus will be on studying how the rock mass reacts to cold/hot fluid injection and circulation through thermo-hydro-mechanical interactions. TOUGH also aims to address the key-aspects for maximizing long-term energy output and minimizing induced seismicity during long-term operation.

Tasks:

• Setup a THM design model based on the existing data to be able to design the experimental setup
• Construct a 3D discrete fracture network model based on the geometrical, hydraulic and transport data which will be updated during the project as a response with various conducted experiment
• Develop, simulate and validate the circulation experiment using a THM coupled model in order to be able to better understand the on-going process during the TOUGH project
• Collaborate with project partners on experimental design and data analysis
• Present research findings at conferences and in scientific journals

Über uns

RWTH is a certified family-friendly University. We support our employees in maintaining a good work-life balance with a wide range of health, advising, and prevention services, for example university sports. Employees who are covered by collective bargaining agreements and civil servants have access to an extensive range of further training courses and the opportunity to purchase a job ticket.
RWTH is an equal opportunities employer. We therefore welcome and encourage applications from all suitably qualified candidates, particularly from groups that are underrepresented at the University. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment and will not be discriminated against on the basis of national or ethnic origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, disability or age. RWTH is strongly committed to encouraging women in their careers. Female applicants are given preference if they are equally suitable, competent, and professionally qualified, unless a fellow candidate is favored for a specific reason.
As RWTH is committed to equality of opportunity, we ask you not to include a photo in your application.
You can find information on the personal data we collect from applicants in accordance with Articles 13 and 14 of the European Union's General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) at http://www.rwth-aachen.de/dsgvo-information-bewerbung.

Besoldung / Entgelt

EG 13 TV-L