Would you like to conduct your graduate research leading to a PhD at both an excellent technical University and a governmental agency? Do you get inspired by working on a subject with significant societal relevance? Do you wish for your research to contribute to a more sustainable future by gaining insight in human induced seismicity? This PhD position on induced seismicity (m/f) at SodM and the Delft University of Technology (TU Delft) is the position for you!

Job describtion

For two days a week you will work on the Groningen induced seismicity problem at the subsurface department of SodM. Besides conducting your PhD research, you will contribute to the annual advices on the Groningen seismicity risk assessment to the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Climate, will gain a broader prospective on current seismological models through the evaluation of reports and independent research projects and interact with operators and stakeholders. Hence, a broad perspective of the applicability of your research project is provided in which societal relevance and political impact play an important role. The particular aim of your research project is to provide additional insight on the future development of induced seismicity in Groningen, especially after cessation of gas production from the Groningen gas field.

The remaining three days a week will be spend at the TU Delft and completely focused on your PhD research. The project aims at the development of novel models for induced seismicity based on fundamental physical principles. The project is part of a broad research team investigating gas depletion induced seismicity, and will extend the ongoing research efforts into induced seismicity by our team. As a PhD candidate you will be enrolled in the TU Delft Graduate School. The TU Graduate School provides an inspiring research environment; an excellent team of supervisors, academic staff and a mentor; and a Doctoral Education Program aimed at developing your transferable, discipline-related and research skills (more information on graduateschool.tudelft.nl).

The project aims at developing a new seismological model incorporating the full rate-dependent behavior of both the reservoir sandstone and the evolution of seismicity to better predict the seismicity under different time varying gas production and rate regimes (including post-production). As part of the project novel (semi-)analytical models of stress changes on offset  faults due to differential non-stationary gas production will be extended and calibrated to numerical solutions. These models will form the foundation for the development of the rate-dependent predictive seismological model for induced seismicity. The predictive capabilities of the model will be tested on data from the Groningen gas field.

We seek a strong, enthusiastic geoscientist-geophysicist who also likes to gain knowledge of the broader applicability of its research. You have a geophysical of physics degree at Msc-level with affinity or strong interest in geology, seismology, geomechanics and induced seismicity. You are a team-player with social and communicative skills wanting to learn from personal and team-grown initiatives. Strong analytical, mathematical and programming skills are required as well as an interest in a governmental environment. Good proficiency of the English language (both spoken and written) and a willingness to learn the Dutch language is a prerequisite. Proficiency of the Dutch and/or German language is strongly preferred.

Fixed-term contract: 4 jaar.

Staatstoezicht op de Mijnen (SodM) offers a dynamical, professional and result driven work environment. The cooperation with the TUDelft offers the unique opportunity to conduct graduate research leading to a PhD on a challenging, societally very relevant subject while obtaining a broad perspective of the impact and applicability of your research.

The position offers:

• A workplace at both SodM in Leidschenveen, The Hague and at the TU Delft.
• Enrollment in the TU Delft Graduate School.
• Salary and benefits in accordance with grade 10 of the Dutch governmental pay grades (See table salarisschalen Rijksoverheid).
• Customizable compensation of 16,37% of your salary which you can use for additional leave, sports memberships, etc (Individueel Keuzebudget (IKB)).
• A working week of 36 hours. Flexible work schedule can be arranged.

Naast het salaris ontvang je een Individueel Keuzebudget (IKB). Het IKB bestaat uit geld (16,37% van je bruto jaarsalaris) en tijd. Met het IKB maak jij de keuzes die bij jou passen en kun je een deel van je arbeidsvoorwaarden zelf samenstellen. Je kunt er bijvoorbeeld voor kiezen om een deel van je maandinkomen te laten uitbetalen wanneer jij dat wenst. Ook kun je dit budget omzetten in verlof en andersom of besteden aan fiscaal vriendelijke doelen. De Rijksoverheid hecht sterk aan persoonlijke groei en loopbaanontwikkeling en biedt daarvoor tal van mogelijkheden. Tot de secundaire arbeidsvoorwaarden behoren onder meer verschillende studiefaciliteiten, bedrijfsfitness, volledige vergoeding van je OV reiskosten woon-werkverkeer en gedeeltelijk betaald ouderschapsverlof.

Dutch State Supervision of Mines (SodM) is committed to ensure the safety of people and the environment while producing and distributing energy and utilizing the subsurface, now and in the future. SodM does this by giving advice and supervising the production, storage and transport of oil, gas, salt, geothermal energy and wind at sea. SodM is committed to ensuring that employees can do their work safely and healthily and that residents and citizens feel safe. In addition, SodM has the task of issuing solicited and unsolicited advice to the Minister of Economic Affairs and Climate on mineral extraction. SodM therefore has in-house specialized knowledge and a good overview of the various sectors. SSM is currently growing to around 100 employees.

The Ministry of Economic Affairs and Climate strives to be an employer for which every employee, regardless of age, gender, orientation, ethnic origin and work disability, wants to work. Working on social issues in diverse teams makes us more effective, innovative and the work more enjoyable.

About the Subsurface Team

The subsurface team consists of fifteen enthusiastic colleagues with different backgrounds and expertise, including geomechanics, seismology, geodesy, mining, geology and reservoir engineering. On the one hand, the team advises the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Climate (EZK) for granting exploration and extraction permits for minerals and geothermal heat, as well as on the extraction and storage plans. On the other hand, we also supervise. We do this, for example, for the Groningen earthquake problem on a safe extraction level, as well as on the pace, size and effectiveness of the reinforcement operation. This is a very complex field of work, both technical and political-administrative.

About the Delft University of Technology (TU Delft)

TU Delft is a multifaceted institution offering education and carrying out research in the technical sciences at an internationally recognized level. Education, research and design are strongly orientated  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. You will work at the department of Geoscience and Engineering of the faculty of Civil Engineering and Geosciences.