Post-Doctoral Researcher in Computational Geomechanics of Gas Migration in Clays

We are seeking a post-doctoral researcher to develop advanced numerical models for gas migration in clay-based materials, with a focus on coupled hydro-mechanical processes, heterogeneity and uncertainty quantification.

Job description

Recent advances in the field have demonstrated that heterogeneity and hydro-mechanical processes strongly control gas transport in low-permeability clays, and that gas migration may involve the development of localised pathways. While high-fidelity models that explicitly represent such processes provide valuable insight into the underlying physics, they also highlight two key challenges.

First, hydro-mechanical coupling is not yet fully integrated within stochastic modelling frameworks, limiting our ability to assess the combined effects of material variability and mechanical behaviour. Second, models that explicitly represent localised features are computationally too expensive for large-scale and long-term simulations, such as those required for repository performance assessment.

The central objective of this project is therefore to develop an efficient stochastic hydro-mechanical modelling framework for gas migration in clays, capable of bridging detailed process understanding and large-scale applications.

Key research directions include:

• Developing physics-based upscaled models informed by high-fidelity simulations of gas migration processes
• Exploring the use of deep learning techniques to generate realistic heterogeneous material representations and to support stochastic hydro-mechanical simulations
• Extending existing modelling approaches to include hydro-mechanical coupling in heterogeneous materials
• Incorporating uncertainty quantification (UQ) to assess the impact of spatial variability and uncertainty in material parameters on gas migration

This position is part of Work Package HERMES of EURAD-2, funded by the European Commission. The project focuses on high-fidelity numerical simulations of strongly coupled processes for repository systems and design optimisation with physical models and machine learning.

Job requirements

Need-to-haves:

• PhD in computational (geo)mechanics, or a related discipline
• Interest in uncertainty quantification
• Self-motivated, curiosity-driven, and open to communicating and cooperating with others
• Excellent written and oral communication skills in English

Nice-to-haves:

• Experience in deep learning, scientific software development and code management
• Knowledge of the radioactive waste management field

TU Delft (Delft University of Technology)

Working at TU Delft means contributing to solutions that really make a difference.

At TU Delft, our people make the difference. With their knowledge and curiosity, our staff provide a high-quality education and conduct pioneering research that extends beyond the campus. You will have the opportunity to take the initiative, work with others, and grow as a professional.

Working at TU Delft means joining an international community of professionals and students. Together, we create knowledge, innovations, and solutions that help move the world forward.

Faculty of Civil Engineering and Geosciences

The Faculty of Civil Engineering & Geosciences (CEG) is committed to outstanding international research and education in the field of civil engineering, applied earth sciences, traffic and transport, water technology, and delta technology. Our research feeds into our educational programmes and covers societal challenges such as climate change, energy transition, resource availability, urbanisation and clean water.

Our research projects are conducted in close cooperation with a wide range of research institutions. CEG is convinced of the importance of open science and supports its scientists in integrating open science in their research practice. The Faculty of CEG comprises 28 research groups in the following seven departments: Materials Mechanics Management & Design, Engineering Structures, Geoscience and Engineering, Geoscience and Remote Sensing, Transport & Planning, Hydraulic Engineering and Water Management.

Conditions of employment

• Duration of contract is 1 year, temporarily with a possibility for extension
• An excellent pension scheme via the ABP
• The possibility to compile an individual employment package every year
• Discount with health insurers on supplemental packages
• Flexible working week
• Every year, 232 leave hours (at 38 hours). You can also sell or buy additional leave hours via the individual choice budget
• Plenty of opportunities for education, training and courses
• Partially paid parental leave
• Attention for working healthy and energetically with the vitality program
• If you need to relocate to the Netherlands for this job, TU Delft offers relocation support through the Coming to Delft Service, events to help you settle in the Netherlands and expand your network in Delft, and a Dual Career Programme to support your accompanying partner with their job search in the Netherlands

#EUfunded This is an EU funded project, named EURAD-2, within program Euratom Research and Training Programme (EURATOM).