Geoforschungszentrum (GFZ) Potsdam, Germany (source: Andreas Schwarzkopf, commons.wikimedia)
The Helmholtz Centre Potsdam – GFZ German Research Centre for Geosciences in Potsdam, Germany has two PhD positions available on the topic of Enhanced Geothermal Systems. This will be a part-time (75%) position with a fixed term of 36 months. Positions are to be filled as soon as possible, but the latest possible start date will be on July 2023.
Applications for the positions are currently being accepted via this link.
The Helmholtz Centre Potsdam – GFZ German Research Centre for Geosciences is the national centre for geosphere research. As a partner in Geo.X, the GFZ has access to an excellent network of other geoscience institutions in Potsdam and Berlin. This largest regional concentration of geoscientific competence in Europe offers first-class cooperation and development opportunities.
The successful candidates will be a part of the diverse team at the Helmholtz Young Investigator Group “Advanced reservoir engineering concepts for a controlled utilization of deep geothermal energy in urban areas” (ARES) in Section 4.8 “Geoenergy.” The two PhD students will support the work of the group by working on one of the following topics with the help of laboratory injection experiments and numerical modelling:
Adaptive fluid injection for improved hydraulic stimulation control
Systematic analysis of the influence of operational and geological factors on induced seismicity and permeability enhancement
Development and investigation of new Enhanced Geothermal System development concepts
The results will improve the physical understanding of hydraulic stimulation treatments and associated fracture development, permeability increase and injection-induced seismicity. This will support the improvement of reservoir stimulation concepts to develop Enhanced Geothermal Systems (EGS) in a safe and economic manner.
The desired qualifications include:
MSc degree (or equivalent) in reservoir/petroleum engineering, applied geosciences, environmental sciences, geophysics, geology, physics, mathematics or equivalent
Proficiency in spoken and written English; German language skills are useful, but no strict requirement
High motivation and creativity as well as a result-oriented, structured and reliable working attitude
Willingness and ability to work in diverse, interdisciplinary and international teams
Excellent communication skills
Background knowledge and experience in the topics of geothermal energy, rock mechanics, seismology or hydraulic fracturing and programming, numerical methods, analytical methods or laboratory methods are useful, but no strict requirement
