PhD position (f/m/d) - Modelling of corrosion and gas production at the steel-clay interface

PhD position (f/m/d) – Modelling of corrosion and gas production at the steel‑clay interface

Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research (UFZ)

The UFZ

The Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research (UFZ) with its 1,100 employees has gained an excellent reputation as an international competence centre for environmental sciences. We are part of the largest scientific organisation in Germany, the Helmholtz association. Our mission: Our research seeks to find a balance between social development and the long‑term protection of our natural resources.

Energy, Resources and the Environment (ERE)

The job

The Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research – UFZ is seeking a highly motivated PhD student to join the graduate school TRANSFER, which is a collaborative research program investigating the relevance of spatial and temperature heterogeneity of clay stone on radionuclide retention for a nuclear waste repository. This position is part of work package 3, focusing on the properties of clay stones and their significance as a geological barrier.

• Develop and implement models for gas migration in clay stone formations including concepts like dissolved gas transport, entrapped gas, and two‑phase flow using OpenGeoSys
• Investigate the influence of far‑field properties on corrosion processes of repository containers and steel frames in the near‑field
• Conduct benchmarking, parameter studies, and sensitivity analyses
• Model the effect of sandy areas in clay stone on gas transport and container corrosion kinetics
• Collaborate with project partners within the graduate school
• Participate in the interdisciplinary training program including 5 summer/winter schools
• Publish research results in peer‑reviewed journals and present at national/international conferences
• Complete a doctoral dissertation within 3 years

We offer

• Excellent supervision and optimal professional and interdisciplinary qualification through our HIGRADE graduate programme
• The freedom to master even the most demanding challenges between basic research and practical application
• The opportunity to work in interdisciplinary, international teams and benefit from a wide range of perspectives
• First‑class integration into national and international research networks to work together on global challenges
• Excellent research infrastructure and research data management to optimally support your work
• A wide range of options for balancing care responsibilities and work through our family office
• Competent support and advice for international colleagues arriving at the UFZ from the ‘International Office’
• A workplace in a vibrant region with a high life quality and social and cultural diversity

Your profile

• Master's degree (or equivalent) in Geosciences, Geology, Environmental Engineering, Computational Sciences, Physics, Mathematics, or a related field
• Experience with numerical modeling of flow and transport processes
• Programming skills (C++ and Python, both required)
• Knowledge of reactive transport processes is advantageous
• Experience with OpenGeoSys or similar numerical simulation software is a plus
• Excellent written and oral communication skills in English
• Ability to work both independently and as part of an interdisciplinary team
• Strong motivation for doctoral research in the field of deep geological repository science