We have two open positions for PhD candidates in the Virtual Seismology programme of the Applied Geophysics group. Virtual Seismology is a data-driven method to create virtual seismic sources and receivers in the subsurface to accurately image and monitor processes in the subsurface, such as the flow of ground water in aquifers, the storage of waste products (CO2), the extraction of geothermal energy, the production of hydrocarbons and the effects of induced seismicity. It is based on the Marchenko method, an advanced wave-theory-based seismic processing method, pioneered by the Applied Geophysics group (homepage.tudelft.nl/t4n4v/BeyondInterferometry/index3.htm).

Position 1 Time-lapse monitoring with virtual seismology: In this project you will develop time-lapse Virtual Seismology and apply this for imaging and monitoring of subsurface fluid-flow processes. The challenges for this project are creating highly repeatable virtual sources and receivers, and integrating the method with full waveform inversion. You will cooperate with experts on the physics of fluid flow, both from academia and industry. You will evaluate your method on time-lapse field data, provided by our partners at research institutes and the geophysical industry.

Position 2: Imaging with virtual seismology, using multiple reflections. In this project you will develop Virtual Seismology methodology which uses information in the multiples (instead of removing them) and apply this for imaging of complex structures in the subsurface. The challenges for this project are the model-independent infill of illumination gaps by multiples and investigating how to make optimum use of multi-component data. You will cooperate with experts on seismic imaging, both from academia and industry. You will evaluate your method on field data, provided by our partners at research institutes and the geophysical industry.

We seek candidates with an MSc degree in (preferably) geoscience and with proven excellence in physical and mathematical thinking. Moreover, the candidates should be good communicators, have broad interests and learn quickly. The candidates should also possess excellent writing and verbal communication skills in English.

Fixed-term contract: 4 years.

TU Delft offers an attractive, customisable compensation and benefits package, including a discount for health insurance and sport memberships, and a monthly work costs contribution. Flexible work schedules can be arranged. Salary and benefits are in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities.

As a PhD candidate you will be enrolled in the TU Delft Graduate School. TU Delft Graduate School provides an inspiring research environment; an excellent team of supervisors, academic staff and a mentor; and a Doctoral Education Programme aimed at developing your transferable, discipline-related and research skills. Please visit graduateschool.tudelft.nl/ for more information.

Delft University of Technology

Delft University of Technology (TU Delft) is a multifaceted institution offering education and carrying out research in the technical sciences at an internationally recognised level. Education, research and design are strongly oriented towards applicability. TU Delft develops technologies for future generations, focusing on sustainability, safety and economic vitality. At TU Delft you will work in an environment where technical sciences and society converge. TU Delft comprises eight faculties, unique laboratories, research institutes and schools.

https://www.tudelft.nl

Faculty Civil Engineering and Geosciences

The Faculty of Civil Engineering and Geosciences of Delft University of Technology (TU Delft) provides leading international research and education, with innovation and sustainability as central themes. Research and education are closely interwoven and address societal challenges. The Faculty consists of 28 sections divided over 7 departments: Materials Mechanics Management & Design, Engineering Structures, Geoscience and Engineering , Geoscience and Remote Sensing, Transport & Planning, Hydraulic Engineering and Watermanagement.

The Department of Geoscience and Engineering resides within the Faculty of Civil Engineering and Geosciences and encompasses five sections: Applied Geology, Applied Petrophysics and Geophysics, Geo-Engineering, Resource Engineering, and Petroleum Engineering. Within the Department there is considerable scope and encouragement for interdisciplinary research. PhD candidates, post-docs and staff in the Applied Geophysics research group cooperate in a collegial atmosphere in a fundamental research programme directed towards developing cutting-edge acquisition, imaging and monitoring methodologies for resource exploration, environmental and engineering applications. PhD candidates are stimulated to present their research at international conferences, to publish in high-ranked scientific journals and to form an international professional network. Graduates of the section find employment in the geophysical industry and in the academic world.

Project explanation

Project 1: Because changes in the seismic parameters caused by fluid flow are very small, monitoring such changes puts very high demands on the accuracy and repeatability of the applied seismic methodology. For example, any change in the acquisition methodology between two reflection surveys can easily be misinterpreted as a change caused by fluid displacement. For an accurate monitoring of fluid flow, it is important that the chosen acquisition methodology is highly repeatable, and that the imaging methodology applied for each survey is very accurate.

Project 2: Virtual seismology accounts for internal and surface-related multiple reflections. One of the main advantages is that images of the subsurface can be formed, free of artefacts caused by multiple reflections. In the current implementation, multiple reflections are removed, but not used. However, multiple reflections contain significant information, in addition to the information contained in the primaries. Hence, to fully exploit the information contained in seismic data, multiple reflections should be used instead of removed during imaging and monitoring.

https://www.tudelft.nl/en/ceg/