About PSI
The Paul Scherrer Institute (PSI) is the largest research institute for natural and engineering sciences within Switzerland. We perform cutting‑edge research in the fields of future technologies, energy and climate, health innovation and fundamentals of nature. By performing fundamental and applied research, we work on sustainable solutions for major challenges facing society, science and economy. PSI is committed to the training of future generations. Therefore, about one quarter of our staff are post‑docs, post‑graduates or apprentices. Altogether, PSI employs 2300 people.
For many years the Laboratory for Waste Management has conducted multi‑disciplinary research on safety and design of geological repositories for radioactive waste and flows relevant to nuclear reactor technologies using a unique combination of experimental infrastructure and modelling capabilities.
Position
PhD Student for MiningBrines DC13: Modelling the evolution of geothermal waters during multi‑resource extraction (Marie Składowska‑Curie Doctoral Network (MSCA‑DN)).
Start date: 1 October 2026. Duration: 36 months.
Your tasks
* Develop an “easy to use” computational workflow based on open‑source software and the GEMs3K Gibbs‑Energy Minimization (GEM) thermodynamic solver.
* Set up of a thermodynamic model (fluid model, thermodynamic data base) that can be used in PSI GEM software to model CRM and heat extraction.
* Implementation of interfaces to results/models from other projects (e.g. Thermo‑Hydro‑Mechanic (WP2, WP3), Thermo‑Hydro‑Chemical (WP3) or Biological (WP4) processes) to understand their influence on CRM and heat extraction.
* (ML‑based) sensitivity analysis to identify influential parameters and evaluate prediction robustness.
* Test and apply the workflow to case studies from industrial partners.
You will be enrolled at the University of Bern and receive your PhD title from University of Bern. This position is part of the Marie Sklodowska Curie Action (MSCA) Doctoral Network (DN) “MiningBrines”. You will have the status as a “SERI‑funded MSCA DN Grantee”. As part of the MSCA DN, you will visit the Geological and Mining Bureau (BRGM) in Orléans, France, University of Neuchâtel in Neuchâtel, Switzerland, Collaboration Betters the World (CBTW) in Germany and VITO in Mol, Belgium for ca. 2 months each. You will collaborate closely with the other MiningBrines research projects and participate in network training and workshops.
Your profile
Required Qualifications
* Master’s degree in geosciences (such as geochemistry, geology, geophysics, or a related discipline) with a solid knowledge of (geo)chemistry, or alternatively, master’s degree in chemistry, chemical engineering or related discipline with a strong interest in geoscience applications.
* Strong motivation for interdisciplinary research.
* Excellent command of spoken and written English (mandatory).
Desirable Skills
* You are familiar with thermodynamic and/or (geo‑)chemical software.
* You have experience with programming or scripting languages (e.g. Python, R, Matlab, …).
Horizon Europe MSCA Mobility Rule: Candidates must not have resided or carried out their main activity (work, studies, etc.) in the country of the host organization (Switzerland) for more than 12 months in the 36 months immediately before the recruitment date – unless as part of a compulsory national service or a procedure for obtaining refugee status under the Geneva Convention. Horizon Europe MSCA Eligibility Criteria: Doctoral Candidates (DC) must, at the date of recruitment by the host organization, have not been awarded a doctoral degree. Applicants must be eligible to enroll on a PhD program at University of Bern.
We offer
PSI: Our institution is based on an interdisciplinary, innovative and dynamic collaboration. You will profit from a systematic training on the job, in addition to personal development possibilities and our pronounced vocational training culture. If you wish to optimally combine work and family life or other personal interests, we are able to support you with our modern employment conditions and the on‑site infrastructure.
MiningBrines: An international network of 32 academic and industrial partners across multiple disciplines offers an innovative doctoral training program to address Europe’s strategic need for sustainable access to critical raw materials, energy gases and renewable energies. You will benefit from an interdisciplinary training in geosciences, biogeochemistry, artificial intelligence and socio‑economic analysis. The position is funded for 36 months with a competitive salary, allowances, and additional funding for technical training and conference participation.
Application
Interested candidates are invited to submit their application online and send: their CV, a letter of application, a 1‑page critical summary of an article of their choice, the name of two contact persons (former teachers or supervisors, who are asked to send a support letter), academic credentials. All the application documents must be submitted via email to miningbrines@benkei.eu. The email subject must be \"Application for DC13 position\". Application Deadline (date and time zone): April 30th, 5 PM CET. Applications and enclosures received after the deadline will not be considered. Expected starting date: 1 October 2026. Candidates whose application is not compliant with the requirements above will not be considered. Please avoid any questions on the status of the selection process. We will inform you as soon as there is an update.
For further information, please contact Dr Georg Kosakowski, georg.kosakowski@psi.ch.
Paul Scherrer Institute, Human Resources Management, Serdal Varol, 5232 Villigen PSI, Switzerland
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