PhD in Controls on Miocene sediment dispersal in the Roer Valley Graben in the southern Netherlands

Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam

Amsterdam, NL

4 dagen geleden

The Miocene of the Roer Valley Rift System and the surrounding areas consists of a laterally and vertically variable sequence of shallow marine, coastal and fluvial deposits.

The sediment distribution within this coastal system was controlled by tectonic, climatic and (glacio)eustatic processes.

As a result, the sedimentary deposits consist of a large number of sequences with bounding unconformities difficult to recognise on simple lithological grounds.

Only a detailed reconstruction of the stratigraphic development and a better understanding of mineralogical and physical sediment properties will enable a correct correlation of both water-bearing, sandy units (aquifers), and sealing clay layers (aquitards) in an area that is compartmentalised by neotectonic faulting.

This knowledge is relevant for applications in both hydrogeology and geothermal engineering (energy production, thermal energy storage).

The research will consist of the following elements :

Development of a tectono- and seismostratigraphic subdivision of the Miocene sequence, to enhance the understanding of spatial- and temporal accommodation changes on aquifer distribution

A source-to-sink assessment based on dating, provenance, and transport mechanisms, using sedimentary facies, grain size-shape analyses, and Sr-isotopes.

This will provide insights into the distribution of hydrological and thermal properties and geothermal potential

Link accommodation effects with tectonic development of the Roer Valley Rift system and establish a multi-source infill model for the basin, taking into account the source-to-sink aspects

Synthesis

The work will be carried out partly (50%) at the Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam and partly (50%) at TNO-Geological Survey of the Netherlands (Utrecht).

Both institutes will jointly supervise the research project.

The advisory team is highly interdisciplinary and includes project leaders Prof. Dr. Ronald van Balen (promotor, VUA) and Dr.

Johan ten Veen (co-promotor, TNO). The research will be performed at the Department of Earth Sciences (VUA) and the Geological Survey of the Netherlands (TNO).

Your duties

write a PhD thesis consisting of peer-reviewed scientific papers

work with colleagues of the project consortium and contributing to project reporting

contribute to the bachelor and / or master Earth Sciences teaching programmes of the Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam

follow a personalized training programme to strengthen skills and fill knowledge gaps. It will supplement and support the project-related research and help achieve long-term career objectives

Requirements

MSc degree in Earth Sciences

a strong motivation to do independent PhD research

knowledge of sedimentology, tectonics, seismic interpretation and sequence stratigraphy

good working knowledge of interpretation software (e.g. Petrel and preferably GIS) and keen interest in 3D mapping

experience with and willingness to perform analyses in various lab environments

strong quantitative methodological skills

proficiency in Dutch needed to understand and work with the Survey’s subsurface database - and English

demonstrable scientific writing, project planning and oral communication potential

an enthusiastic mindset as a team player

What are we offering?

A challenging position in a socially involved organization. The salary will be in accordance with university regulations for academic personnel and amounts €2,395 (PhD) per month during the first year and increases to €3,061 (PhD) per month during the fourth year, based on a full-time employment.

The job profile : is based on the university job ranking system and is vacant for at least 1 FTE.

The appointment will initially be for 1 year. After a satisfactory evaluation of the initial appointment, the contract will be extended for a duration of 4 years.

Additionally, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam offers excellent fringe benefits and various schemes and regulations to promote a good work / life balance, such as :

a maximum of 41 days of annual leave based on full-time employment

8% holiday allowance and 8.3% end-of-year bonus

contribution to commuting expenses

optional model for designing a personalized benefits package

discounts on collective insurances (healthcare- and car insurance)

deze vacature melden

Thank you for reporting this job!

Your feedback will help us improve the quality of our services.