RWTH Institution​/Unit IKZ

Research Assistant/Associate (f/m/d) PhD Position in Engineering Geology Geoscientist, geotechnical engineer or similar

Chair of Engineering Geology and Hydrogeology

The Chair of Engineering Geology at RWTH Aachen University has around 35 employees conducting research in the fields of rock mechanics, geomechanics and natural hazards. In addition to the basic equipment, the chair is financed by numerous national and international third-party funded projects. The Chair is involved in the degree courses in Applied Geosciences and Geo resource Management.

We are a group of dynamic and intern atonal scientists with interests in all aspects of experimental and computational rock mecahnics, with a strong focus on applied topics.

Project title: Impact of Stress Corrosion and Long-Term Strength of Crystalline Rocks on Barrier Integrity – From Micro-to-Macro Scale (ACCELERATE)

Project description: Development of brittle damage around tunnels is quite common in massive rocks under highly-stressed conditions. Understanding the shape and extent of the Excavation Damage Zone (EDZ), and its development over time is of foremost relevance for safety analysis of deep geological repositories for nuclear waste. Within the EDZ, permeability is often increased and contains preferred and interconnected flow pathways for the migration of radionuclides.

Processes of long-term crack development in crystalline rocks are often associated with stress corrosion and sub-critical crack growth in chemically reactive environments. This is particularly relevant for radioactive waste repositories with elevated rock temperatures. At present, extensive research is being carried out to assess the suitability of various host rock formations—such as rock salt, clay rock, and crystalline rock—that are being considered in Germany for deep geological nuclear waste disposal.

Within the ACCELERATE project, we aim to advance our understanding of the long-term behaviour of crystalline rocks through a combination of experimental, in-situ, and numerical approaches.

Candidate Requirements
:

• Preferably sound knowledge of rock mechanics, petrophysical and micro-structural analysis
• Willing to carry out frequent fieldworks in the tunnel
• Reliable, ambitious, and able to work both independently and with a team
• Excellent written and oral communication skills in English, knowledge of German is considered an asset.
• Ability to quickly develop related research skills and knowledge
• In procession of a valid driving license (or be able to obtain one) for driving in European Union

We are looking for a PhD candidate for the following tasks:

• Sample selections and performing a series of mineralogical, geochemical and petrophysical tests
• Planning, execution and interpretation of rock mechanics and fracture mechanics laboratory testing including short-term and long-term mechanical testing
• Micro-structural analysis using optical and electron microscopy
• Carrying out frequent fieldworks at the Bedretto Tunnel (Switzerland) to collect in-situ data
• Analysis and interpretation of the multi-disciplinary data obtained from various monitoring sources (strain and permeability measurements, seismic data) to understand the evolution of the EDZ both spatially and temporally at PRECODE Tunnel
• Coordination with other project partners

The successful candidate will be employed under a regular employment contract.
The position is to be filled at the earliest possible date and offered for a fixed term of three 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.

RWTH is a certified family-friendly University. We support our employees in maintaining a good work-life balance with a wide range of health,…