PhD Student MiningBrines DCModelling evolution of geothermal waters during multi-re

About PSI

The Paul Scherrer Institute (PSI) is the largest research institute for natural and engineering sciences within Switzerland. We perform cutting‑edge research in the fields of future technologies, energy and climate, health innovation and fundamentals of nature. By performing fundamental and applied research, we work on sustainable solutions for major challenges facing society, science and economy. PSI is committed to the training of future generations.

Therefore, about one quarter of our staff are post‑docs, post‑graduates or apprentices. Altogether, PSI employs 2300 people.

For many years the Laboratory for Waste Management has conducted multi‑disciplinary research on safety and design of geological repositories for radioactive waste and flows relevant to nuclear reactor technologies using a unique combination of experimental infrastructure and modelling capabilities.

PhD Student for Mining Brines DC13:
Modelling the evolution of geothermal waters during multi‑resource extraction (Marie Składowska‑Curie Doctoral Network (MSCA‑DN)).

Start date:

1 October 2026. Duration: 36 months.

• Develop an “easy to use” computational workflow based on open‑source software and the GEMs3K Gibbs‑Energy Minimization (GEM) thermodynamic solver.
• Set up of a thermodynamic model (fluid model, thermodynamic data base) that can be used in PSI GEM software to model CRM and heat extraction.
• Implementation of interfaces to results/models from other projects (e.g. Thermo‑Hydro‑Mechanic (WP2, WP3), Thermo‑Hydro‑Chemical (WP3) or Biological (WP4) processes) to understand their influence on CRM and heat extraction.
• (ML‑based) sensitivity analysis to identify influential parameters and evaluate prediction robustness.
• Test and apply the workflow to case studies from industrial partners.

You will be enrolled at the University of Bern and receive your PhD title from University of Bern. This position is part of the Marie Sklodowska Curie Action (MSCA) Doctoral Network (DN) “Mining Brines”. You will have the status as a “SERI‑funded MSCA DN Grantee”. As part of the MSCA DN, you will visit the Geological and Mining Bureau (BRGM) in Orléans, France, University of Neuchâtel in Neuchâtel, Switzerland, Collaboration Betters the World (CBTW) in Germany and VITO in Mol, Belgium for ca.

2 months each. You will collaborate closely with the other Mining Brines research projects and participate in network training and workshops.

Required Qualifications

• Master’s degree in geosciences (such as geochemistry, geology, geophysics, or a related discipline) with a solid knowledge of (geo) chemistry, or alternatively, master’s degree in chemistry, chemical engineering or related discipline with a strong interest in geoscience applications.
• Strong motivation for interdisciplinary research.
• Excellent command of spoken and written English (mandatory).

Desirable Skills

• You are familiar with thermodynamic and/or (geo‑)chemical software.
• You have experience with programming or scripting languages (e.g. Python, R, Matlab, …).

Horizon Europe MSCA Mobility Rule: Candidates must not have resided or carried out their main activity (work, studies, etc.) in the country of the host organization (Switzerland) for more than 12 months in the 36 months immediately before the recruitment date – unless as part of a compulsory national service or a procedure for obtaining refugee status under the Geneva Convention.

Horizon Europe MSCA Eligibility Criteria:
Doctoral Candidates (DC) must, at the date of recruitment by the host organization, have not been awarded a doctoral degree. Applicants must be eligible to enroll on a PhD program at University of Bern.

PSI: Our institution is based on an interdisciplinary, innovative and dynamic collaboration. You will profit from a systematic training on the job, in addition to personal development possibilities and our pronounced vocational training culture. If you wish to optimally combine work and family life or other personal interests, we are able to support you with our modern employment conditions and the on‑site infrastructure.

Mining Brines: An international network of 32 academic and…