The Department of Earth Sciences currently seeks a highly-motivated, high-potential applicant for a position as a postdoctoral researcher to develop a model for methane hydrate dynamics.

The research will be executed in the context of the Netherlands Earth System Science Centre. Methane hydrate dynamics is governed by the balance between methane production and consumption, gas and solute transport, and phase changes. Methane release from hydrates has been suggested to have caused the recurrently occurring hyperthermals, but the mechanisms and time-scales involved are poorly known. The aim of this project is to develop new modelling strategies to further our understanding.

We seek a highly motivated candidate with the following requirements:

• a PhD degree in a relevant field and a very good publication record;
• skills to independently develop numerical models.

Applicants must have excellent written and spoken English skills and be highly motivated to work in an international team.

We offer a temporary position as postdoc for thirty months. Employment conditions are based on the Collective Labour Agreement of the Dutch Universities. The gross monthly salary is dependent on qualifications and experience and starts between € 2,984 and € 3,605 with a full-time appointment (salary scale 10/3 – 10/8, 2017). The salary is supplemented by a holiday allowance of 8% per year and an end-of-year bonus of 8.3%. In addition, we offer a pension scheme, collective insurance schemes and flexible employment conditions. You'll find more information about Working at Utrecht University here.

Facilities for sports and child care are available on our main campus (where the Department of Earth Sciences is situated), which is located only fifteen minutes away from the historical city centre of Utrecht.

A better future for everyone. This ambition motivates our scientists in executing their leading research and inspiring teaching. At Utrecht University, colleagues from various disciplines collaborate intensively towards major societal themes. Our focus is on Dynamics of Youth, Institutions for Open Societies, Life Sciences and Sustainability.

The city of Utrecht is one of the oldest cities in the Netherlands, with a charming old center and an internationally oriented culture that is strongly influenced by its century-old university. Utrecht city has been consistently ranked as one of the most livable cities in the Netherlands.

The Faculty of Geosciences conducts education and research concerning the geosphere, biosphere, atmosphere and anthroposphere. With a complement of 2,600 students (BSc and MSc) and 600 staff, the Faculty is a strong and challenging organisation. The Faculty is organised in four Departments: Innovation, Environmental & Energy Sciences, Earth Sciences, Physical Geography, and Human Geography & Urban/Regional Planning.

The Department of Earth Sciences conducts teaching and research across the full range of the solid Earth and environmental Earth sciences, with activities in almost all areas of geology, geochemistry, geophysics, biogeosciences and hydrogeology. The department hosts a highly international group of more than 100 PhD students and postdoctoral researchers and houses a wide variety of world-class laboratories.