PhD Candidate DeepNL project: Numerical modelling and geophysical inversion for characterization of the Dutch subsurface

The University of Twente wants to be an organisation that optimally deploys diversity, talents, and capabilities in the labour market for now and in the future. In the framework of our diversity and inclusiveness policy, we strongly stimulate people with a (work) disability to apply for this position.

The University of Twente is committed to providing a working environment where everyone is valued, respected, and supported to progress. Our priority is to ensure that no one is disadvantaged based on their ethnicity, gender, culture, disability, LGBTQ+ identities, family and caring responsibilities, age, or religion. We encourage everyone who shares these values to apply.

Your challenge

The global initiative to complete the energy transition by 2040 puts tremendous pressure on governments and industries. The need for any nation to know the potential of its subsurface to meet the future demand for energy and raw materials, as well as its storage capacity (e.g. CO2, H2) and associated hazards (e.g. induced seismicity, subsidence), is more critical than ever for informing exploration efforts, strategic economic planning, environmental policies, and decision-makers.

The Netherlands has invested a significant part of its GDP in data acquisition programs in the past 30 years. However, the formal integration and inversion of all available and complementary data (e.g. seismic, satellite, borehole, gravity, magnetic, etc.) have not been yet fully exploited for obtaining unifying, multi-parameter and internally consistent models of the subsurface at scales relevant for informing regional and nation-wide exploration efforts and strategic environmental planning. This project will develop novel ways of characterizing the physical state of the subsurface beneath the Netherlands via the formal integration of multiple geophysical, geochemical/petrological and petrophysical data into a single physics-based framework. Specifically, you will adopt and expand a simulation-based, multi-observable probabilistic platform (e.g. Afonso et al., 2016; 2022) capable of inverting all available datasets simultaneously. Advanced numerical (e.g. FE methods, reduced order methods) and inversion (e.g. AI-based, McMC-driven) techniques will be applied and expanded to create innovative multi-observable inversion platforms for subsurface characterization.

You will collaborate closely with researchers at Delft University of Technology, Utrecht University, and the Polytechnic University of Catalonia. You will be a member of a large and dynamic geophysics/computational geodynamics team of PhD students and post-doctoral fellows.

Your profile

MSc degree in Geophysics, Physics, Engineering Geology or equivalent

Enthusiastic attitude to conduct research individually and as part of a team

Experience with geophysical datasets (e.g. seismic, potential fields, etc).

Experience in scientific computer programming (e.g. Fortran, Matlab or Python)

Familiar with Numerical Methods for Partial Differential Equations. Familiarity with geochemistry, inverse theory and/or thermodynamics is highly desirable, but not essential.

Good communication and writing skills in English

Our offer

An inspiring multidisciplinary, international and academic environment. The university offers a dynamic ecosystem with enthusiastic colleagues in which internationalization is an important part of the strategic agenda

Full-time position for 4 years with a qualifier in the first year

A professional and personal development programme within Twente Graduate School

Gross monthly salary of € 2,770.- in the first year that increases to € 3,539.- in the fourth year

A holiday allowance of 8% of the gross annual salary and a year-end bonus of 8.3%

Excellent support for research and facilities for professional and personal development

A solid pension scheme

A total of 41 holiday days per year in case of full-time employment

Excellent working conditions, an exciting scientific environment, and a green and lively campus

Information and application

For more information about the position, you can contact Dr J.C. Afonso (e-mail: [email protected]). You are also invited to visit our homepage.

Please submit your application before 30 April 2024 including:

A motivation letter (maximum 1 A4 pages) clearly stating your specific research interest, qualifications and motivation to apply for this position

A detailed CV with (at least two) references, including a list of publications

A list of all courses that you have attended, and the grades obtained

Applications that do not include all three will not be considered.

Short-listed candidates will be invited for an online interview which will probably take place in the 3rd week of June 2024.

About the department

The department of Applied Earth Sciences combines earth scientific knowledge with dynamic modelling and advanced remote sensing, to analyse earth systems and processes in space and time. Our goal is to contribute to global challenges concerning future demands for earth resources and to help reduce disaster risk and the impact of natural hazards on communities living in changing environments.

About the organisation

The Faculty of Geo-Information Science and Earth Observation (ITC) provides international postgraduate education, research and project services in the field of geo-information science and earth observation. Our mission is capacity development, where we apply, share and facilitate the effective use of geo-information and earth observation knowledge and tools for tackling global wicked problems. Our purpose is to enable our many partners around the world to track and trace the impact – and the shifting causes and frontiers – of today's global challenges. Our vision is of a world in which researchers, educators, and students collaborate across disciplinary and geographic divides with governmental and non-governmental organisations, institutes, businesses, and local populations to surmount today's complex global challenges and to contribute to sustainable, fair, and digital societies.

Want to know more? Afonso, J.C. (Juan Carlos)

Associate Professor

Do you have questions about this vacancy? Then you can contact Juan Carlos for all substantive questions about this position and the application procedure. For general questions about working for the UT, please refer to the chatbot.

Contact

Phone:+31534896424

Email:[email protected]

How to apply Step 1

Apply. When you see a vacancy that appeals to you, you can apply online. We ask you to upload a CV and motivation letter and/or list of publications. You will receive a confirmation of receipt by e-mail.

Step 2

Selection. The selection committee will review your application and you will receive a response within 2 weeks after the vacancy has been closed.

Step 3

1st interview. The 1st (online or in person) meeting serves as an introduction where we introduce ourselves to you and you to us. You may be asked to give a short presentation. This will be further explained in the invitation.

Step 4

2nd interview. In the second interview, we will further discuss the job content, your skills and your talents.

Step 5

The offer. If the conversations are positive, you will be made a suitable offer.

Your Colleagues

Dahal, A. (Ashok)

Personal page

Westen, C.J. van (Cees)

Personal page

Nabukulu, C. (Catherine)

Personal page

Our mission Human Touch

At the UT it's all about people, in line with our university's High Tech Human Touch philosophy. In everything we do, the well-being and future of our students and staff are paramount. From research and teaching to personnel management, campus management and the use of new technologies.

Our mission We are a university of technology

Our university is a public institution that serves society. We are accountable to society for the ways in which we use our academic freedom. We are responsible for ensuring that the power of science and technology is harnessed to achieve the best possible impact in a changing world. We cherish our rich tradition of combining technical and social sciences in our five profiling themes: Improving healthcare by personalized technologies; Creating intelligent manufacturing systems; Shaping our world with smart materials; Engineering our digital society; and Engineering for a resilient world.

Our mission We help to strengthen society

We help society meet the challenges of today and tomorrow. But we are also transparent about what science and technology can and cannot do in finding sustainable solutions. And help translate these solutions into everyday life.

Our mission We are sustainable

We want our communities to flourish and show resilience, so we seize opportunities for innovation. We are knowledgeable and have an eye for what society needs. Our students and staff receive all the guidance they need in their quest for ecological, social and economic sustainability. “The University of Twente is all about people. Our sustainable technologies help to strengthen society.”

Browse all jobs