Employment & Opportunities

PhD Position for Students in Geophysics Masters Program - University of Neuchâtel

Human reliance on water from mountain catchments is rapidly increasing, yet these regions are among the most severely impacted by climate change. Mountain groundwater plays a vital buffering role, ensuring perennial streamflow down-gradient, but remains challenging to measure accurately. Furthermore, mountain catchments are generally heterogeneous, dynamic, and sparsely-instrumented and there is an acute need for innovative methods that provide quantitative and spatially-resolved information on groundwater storage changes in mountain regions. Time-lapse gravimetry (TLG), a geophysical technique involving measurement of temporal changes in the gravitational field at the Earth’s surface, is a highly promising method that could help fill the mountain hydrogeology knowledge gap. However, its full potential in constraining groundwater storage changes, particularly in mountainous areas, remains unexplored.

RADMOGG will determine the limits of TLG as a tool for reducing uncertainty in groundwater storage change estimates. It will also explore the role of alpine inter-catchment groundwater exchange and investigate the vulnerability of mountain groundwater to climate change. These goals will be achieved through extensive field-based investigations and innovative numerical developments.

Specifically, the student will carry out the following tasks:

1. Regular single-day TLG surveys in an accessible sub-alpine catchment and targeted seasonal surveys in an alpine catchment
2. Installation of hydrological and meteorological monitoring equipment and the processing of this data
3. Development of a numerical TLG data assimilation framework based, in part, on existing python code
4. Development and testing of models to understand mountain groundwater storage variability at a range of timescales
5. (Co-)Authoring of scientific articles and presentations

RADMOGG is a research project funded by the Swiss National Science Foundation (SNSF) and led by Dr. Landon Halloran that will commence in 2023. Collaboration with the Alpine Environment Research Centre (CREALP) and the Swiss Federal Institute of Metrology (METAS), as well as other domestic and international collaborators, is planned.

The PhD position is based at the Centre for Hydrogeology and Geothermics (CHYN) at the University of Neuchâtel under the supervision of Senior Lecturer Dr. Landon Halloran in conjunction with Prof. Philip Brunner and Prof. Daniel Hunkeler. The CHYN offers a stimulating research environment of about 50 collaborators. The candidate will benefit from a comprehensive pool of field and laboratory equipment, technical support staff, and a dynamic PhD school. Information about the Centre and the PI can be found at here.

Required qualifications

• MSc/MEng in Earth Science, Geophysics, Hydro(geo)logy, Environmental Engineering, or a related field
• Motivation and strong interest/experience in field-based geoscience investigations
• Programming skills (python experience is an advantage)
• Fluency and excellent writing skills in English

Desired qualifications

• Experience with near-surface geophysical techniques (experience with gravimeters and/or the processing of gravimetric data is highly advantageous)
• Experience with groundwater modelling
• Driver’s license
• Knowledge of French and/or German is a plus

Duration: 3 years (salary approx. 47-50k CHF/year + pension). Extension possible pending funding and sufficient performance.

Start date: January 1st, 2023 or later by agreement (ideally, Q1 2023).

How to apply
Applications should be sent as a single pdf file and must include:

• a letter of presentation (1 page) describing motivation and relevant experience
• a CV
• the names and contact information of two referees
• academic transcripts

Please submit the application to using “[RADMOGG PhD:] your name” in the subject of your email. Evaluation of candidates will commence on November 1st, 2022.
For additional information: Please email if you have any additional questions regarding the position or the project.

Research Scientist (Postdoc) in Reactive Transport Modeling and Machine Learning - Geological Survey of Finland

The Geological Survey of Finland (GTK) is looking for a postdoctoral researcher with background in reactive transport modeling, machine learning, fluid dynamics, water-rock interactions, or subsurface processes, at the Water Management Solutions Unit. The position is primarily based in our Espoo office, but we offer the possibility to work in other GTK offices (Kuopio, Kokkola, Rovaniemi) and remotely flexibly from anywhere in Finland.

The position is funded by the Jane and Aatos Erkko Foundation and will be filled for a period of 4 years. Your assignment will be to combine machine learning/deep learning methods with reactive transport modeling approaches to develop surrogate models for environmental risk assessment and water quality predictions at mining sites. You will work with the existing reactive transport codes and will couple suitable machine learning algorithms to develop and validate a flexible surrogate modeling framework. The position involves a close collaboration with the Department of Applied Physics, University of Eastern Finland (UEF) and you will closely work with a PhD student working in the same project. Furthermore, the project also benefits from international collaboration with the Technical University of Darmstadt, Germany and offers the possibility for international mobility (research visit) to TU Darmstadt for a period of a few months.

In addition to the execution of the research tasks, you are required to publish the results in high-quality journals, and are also expected to participate in scientific conferences, workshops, and seminars to present the results of this project.

You will be working with a team of experienced researchers. The Water Management Solutions unit has ca. 30 researchers and five research assistants. Our broad research focus is on glaciogenic porous aquifers and fractured bedrock hydrogeology for potable water, managed aquifer recharge and waters in mining environments. In addition, groundwater flow, conservative and reactive transport modeling in subsurface and mining environments, isotope geochemistry, and method development are also a major part of our work. In the Water Management Unit, you will be placed in the research team focused on Mine Waters.

For more details, please check here.

Doctoral Researcher, Machine Learning in Reactive Transport Modeling - University of Eastern Finland

The University of Eastern Finland is inviting applications for a Doctoral Researcher position in Machine learning in reactive transport modeling at the Department of Applied Physics on the Kuopio campus. The position will be filled for a fixed four-year term from 1 January 2023 (or starting date as agreed). Please find more information below and submit your application no later than 4 November 2022.

Role and salary 

We are seeking for a highly motivated and talented Doctoral Researcher (PhD student) to join our project “Machine learning surrogate modeling for risk assessment and water quality prediction at mining sites”, carried out jointly with the Geological Survey of Finland and funded by the Jane and Aatos Erkko foundation. Mining operations produce millions of tons of solid wastes, which pose a serious threat to the environment as they are chemically reactive and can contaminate soil and water resources. This project aims for developing a machine learning based surrogate modeling approach to predict and control such environmental pollution, its impact on water quality, and to advance the field towards sustainable mine waste management.

A person to be appointed to this position will work in the Computational Physics and Inverse Problems research group. The group is affiliated with the Centre of Excellence of Inverse Modeling and Imaging (Academy of Finland).

A person to be appointed as a Doctoral Researcher shall be qualified to pursue postgraduate studies, i.e. he or she is required to have completed or is currently completing a suitable higher university degree or an equivalent education abroad, which in the country in question would qualify the person for similar academic studies (UEF University Regulations, Section 31). Examples of suitable higher university degrees for the candidate are Master’s in physics, engineering, or applied mathematics.

English will be used as the language of instruction and supervision in this position.

The position will be filled for a 4-year term from 1 January 2023 (or starting date as agreed). The position will be filled for a fixed term due to it pertaining to a specific project. A probationary period is applied to all new members of the staff.

The salary of the position is determined in accordance with the salary system of the Finnish universities. The salary comprises two components: a job requirement component and a personal performance component. In this position, the job requirement level used to determine the job-related salary element is 2–4, and the personal performance salary element is 6–50% of the job-related salary element. Depending on the job requirement component and the personal performance component, the salary will be approximately  2,448 – 3,052 €/month at the beginning of the employment relationship. 

Our requirements and expectations

Requirements

• The person to be appointed in the position shall hold a suitable higher university degree, e.g. Master’s in physics, engineering, applied mathematics, or computational chemistry. Candidates who are currently completing or have recently completed a higher university degree are invited to apply.
• Potential candidates should have a good command of the English language.

Expectations

• Strong programming skills (e.g., Python, Matlab, C),
• Background in physics, engineering, applied mathematics, or computational chemistry,
• Previous experience in machine learning and/or mathematical modeling is highly beneficial.

Your benefits 

You will have access to the university’s staff benefits, including:

• extensive occupational health care, 
• staff discount on lunch in our campus restaurants, as well as on a range of other services,
• affordable sports services.

Please read more in the Work at UEF section on our website.

You will have an opportunity to work in an interesting and diverse role as part of our international, creative, participatory and inclusive academic community. 

Enjoy your life in Finland! Known for its cleanliness, welfare know-how, modern technology and superb education system, Finland is an exotic and safe country to work in. Please visit the Life in Finland section on our website to learn more. 

For more details and how to apply, please click here.

Natural Resources Canada 2022-23 Policy Analyst Development and Recruitment Program Campaign

The PARDP is Natural Resources Canada's (NRCan) signature accelerated development program. The program is looking for highly motivated candidates who are eager to contribute to policies and programs that affect the forestry, mining, cleantech and energy sectors, with crosscutting focus on Indigenous reconciliation. Over the course of two years, participants will learn how to effectively manage their careers and develop the skills and knowledge necessary to become leaders in policy.

• The Graduate Stream is open to applicants who have or are in the process of obtaining a graduate degree (master’s or PhD) or law (juris doctorate).
• The Indigenous Stream is open to First Nations, Métis and Inuit candidates who possess an undergraduate degree and two years of community experience.

PARDP is also dedicated to building an inclusive workforce that is comprised of individuals with an array of identities, abilities, backgrounds, cultures, skills, perspectives, and experiences. We are working to ensure PARDP reflects Canada’s current and evolving population.

We encourage all interested individuals to submit an application by October 24th, 2022. Please find attached materials on the program (e.g. brochure, poster and fact sheet) and below, after the signature, additional information about PARDP.

In addition, NRCan is hosting a virtual information session for the UBC community on Friday, October 14 from 1 to 1:45 pm PDT.

Geology and Geophysics Summer Students for 2023 - Cenovus Energy

Cenovus Enegy are currently recruiting Geology and Geophysics summer students for early May to late Aug 2023.

Who should apply:  Geology and Geophysics students who have completed their second year undergrad, Masters and PhD students

Location: Calgary, AB. Travel and moving costs will be paid by Cenovus

Postings close Oct 10^th

Link to each posting:

Geophysicist Student - Co-op / Internship, Calgary

Geology Student - Co-op / Internship, Calgary

News & Events

Free Statistical Webinars - UBC Statistics

Applied Statistics and Data Science Group at UBC Statistics is pleased to announce the launch of a free webinar series to improve the efficiency of your research and the reliability of its findings. Sign up for the second 2-hr session happening soon on Wed Oct 12 10am-12noon.  

For more information, please see their webinar listings for further info on this and other up-coming series.