Postdoc position in volcano hydrogeology & modelling

University of Basel

Basel, Switzerland 🇨🇭

The Hydrogeology group at the Department of Environmental Sciences aims to improve the conceptual and quantitative understanding of groundwater-surface water interactions in complex hydrogeological systems via integrated surface-subsurface hydrological modelling and advanced hydrological tracer methods. An improved understanding of complex hydrogeological systems such as volcanic mountain aquifers is crucial for sustainable water management, especially under consideration of the ever increasing anthropogenic and climatic changes to our environment (https://hydrogeo.duw.unibas.ch).

Your position

The topicof this 3-years postdoc project is the development of resilient water management strategies for tectonically active, intensely used volcanic watersheds via integrated hydrological modelling and online tracer & seismic monitoring. This 3-year project will be conducted in close collaboration with Kochi University, Japan, where another postdoc will focus on the analysis and extension of the existing hydrochemical database of Mt Fuji with an online tracer monitoring system. The successful candidate at Uni Basel will focus on the geological and hydrogeological model development and on climate and water use change projections of the Mt. Fuji volcanic aquifer system. For this purpose, a 3-D geological and a 3-D integrated surface-subsurface hydrothermal flow model of the aquifer system will be constructed using geological software and the simulator HydroGeoSphere. A large existing hydraulic and hydrochemical dataset together with the new data from the online monitoring system will be used to calibrate the hydrological model with the software PEST. To investigate the interplay between shallow and deep groundwater circulation, tectonic activity, and present and projected water use and climate change, scenario simulations will then be conducted with the calibrated model. In addition to this core modelling work, you will support Kochi University in field work and in the analysis of the tracer and seismic data of Fuji. In the final part of the project, the tracer and modelling results will be dissipated to the local public and authorities via stakeholder engagement, including local workshops.

Your profile

Applicants should hold (or be in the process of completing) a PhD in Hydrogeology, Geosciences, Environmental Engineering, Physics, or a related field. Proficiency in English is required, and knowledge of German and/or Japanese is an advantage. The ideal candidate is an intrinsically motivated, team-oriented but independently operating person dedicated to the interdisciplinary research needed to advance the understanding of complex groundwater systems. The candidate should have strong analytical skills, solid knowledge of hydrogeological and hydrochemical processes, and both hydrogeological modelling and fieldwork experience. Knowledge of geological modelling and volcano/fault hydrogeology are assets, as is knowledge of climate change projection modelling and model calibration algorithms. Experience in HydroGeoSphere or similar groundwater modelling software is a big plus.

We offer you

The postdoc position will be funded for 3 years, 70% employment level, starting in March 2023. You will be part of a dynamic research group studying the fields of water resources, hydrogeology, environmental tracers and geology, and be housed at the interdisciplinary Department of Environmental Sciences at University of Basel, with a close affiliation to the Department Water Resources and Drinking Water of Eawag.

Application / Contact

We accept online applications only, use the link below to access the online application form. Your application should include an application letter describing your interests and their relevance to this position, a CV and list of publications, and the names and contact information for three academic references. For further information, please contact Prof. Dr. Oliver S. Schilling (oliver.schilling@unibas.ch). Review of applications will start immediately.


POSITION TYPE

ORGANIZATION TYPE

EXPERIENCE-LEVEL

DEGREE REQUIRED

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