PhD position (3.5 years): Unsaturated reactive transport in porous media:
Impact of pore-scale heterogeneity and its alteration by precipitation
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
Organization
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.
How to apply
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 publ