IDAEA-CSIC

The Institute of Environmental Assessment and Water Research (IDAEA) of the Spanish National Research Council (CSIC), is a vibrant, international research institute. CSIC is the third largest public research organization in Europe. IDAEA is highly interdisciplinary, with researchers from engineering, physics, environmental, geological, and chemical sciences, studying the human footprint on the biosphere.

Homepage: https://www.idaea.csic.es/research-group/groundwater-and-hydrogeochemical/

Job Description

We invite applications for a PhD in the Institute of Environmental Assessment and Water Research (IDAEA-CSIC). I seek a highly-talented, motivated, and open-minded candidate, for an ambitious new project (ATRAE). In this project, we aim to develop a modelling platform to upscale multiphase, reactive flows, trained and validated by laboratory mock-ups (idealized setting such as glass beads and millifluidics). Specifically, it will resolve the coupling between fluid / solute transport and reactions (precipitation, dissolution) altering the pore geometry and hence the transport properties. The findings will enhance our understanding of the physics underlying various geoscience applications (notably mineralization in carbon geo sequestration), as well as other engineering problems such as salt damage to heritage monuments.

The project follows up on other ongoing collaborative projects, including EPSRC-funded project with the British Geological Survey, prof. Marco Dentz (IDAEA) and prof. Jordi Ortin (UB), and others with Prof. Lucas Goehring, Prof. Haida Liang (NTU) and English Heritage.

Qualifications and selection criteria

Master’s degree in geosciences, physics, engineering, applied math, or similar
Background in modeling transport processes, ideally in porous media
Experience in scientific programming (Pythod, Matlab, etc)
Strong interpersonal skills, interest in teamwork and collaborations
Good level of English, written and spoken

Conditions

Full-time contract for 3.5 years
Generous PhD scholarship (~€27,000/yr, M2 level)
Preferred start date: 9/2025
CSIC is an equal opportunity employer, committed to fostering, cultivating and preserving a culture of diversity, equity and inclusion

If you meet the qualification criteria, please send an email to Dr. Ran Holtzman (rholtzman4@gmail.com) titled “application PhD ATRAE” which includes the following documents: (1) CV; (2) motivation letter; (3) complete course grades and transcripts (informal scans ok); (4) contact information of two references; (5) links/copies of your MSc thesis and/or publications.