Postdoctoral position in Engineering Geology - Hiring in process/Finished, not possible to apply

Description of the workplace

At the division of Engineering Geology, we work with education and research focussed on methods for assessing properties of geological materials, groundwater and civil engineering constructions as well as characterisation and monitoring of their structural health. We develop and use geophysical and non- destructive testing methods and also sampling and measurements at the ground, in water and in boreholes. The division has comprehensive equipment and experience from field investigations, chiefly with non-destructive testing, various geophysical methods, core-drilling and sampling (the national research infrastructure Riksriggen) and hydraulic testing. An important part of our activities is signal processing and methods for interpretation of measured data, among others inverse numerical modelling for assessment of material properties and integrated interpretation of different types of data.

We are in total about 20 colleagues at the division situated in the V-house, LTH. Approximately half of the employees are senior researchers and teachers, and the others are doctoral students, technicians and administrators. The research and development activities are mainly financed by grants from the major Swedish research councils and foundations associated with building and civil engineering technology as well as environmental and energy issues.

Subject description

Research on how DCIP (Direct Current resistivity and time-domain Induced Polarisation) tomography, SIP (Spectral Induced Polarisation) and MRS (Magnetic Resonance Sounding) / NMR (Nuclear Magnetic Resonance) can be used for determining the hydraulic properties in the underground. This will be done by measurement with surface-based geophysics and geophysical measurement with CPT (Cone Penetration Test) technology in boreholes. New algorithms should be developed for the inversion of DCIP data to extract permeability and hydraulic conductivity. Drilling, sampling, CPT, HPT, MRS/NMR, slug test shall be done at selected points. Subsequently, laboratory measurement with grain size analysis, SIP, NMR and permeability measurements of the samples are planned at the facilities of our project partner BGR in Berlin, Germany. 

Comparative analysis shall be made of the hydraulic properties from all methods, including analysis of representativeness, disturbance sensitivity and robustness in different measurement environments for the different methods.

Work duties

The main duties involved in a post-doctoral position is to conduct research. Teaching may also be included, but up to no more than 20% of working hours. The position includes the opportunity for three weeks of training in higher education teaching and learning. The purpose of the position is to develop the independence as a researcher and to create the opportunity of further development. 

The position entails travel in connection with meetings, conferences and field work, where the latter may require working outside normal office hours under physically demanding conditions.

Detailed description of the work duties:

• Research within the subject area.
• Planning and preparation for field and laboratory tests.
• Set up and execute field measurements with DCIP/SIP, participate in field measurements with other methods (drilling, sampling, CPT, HPT, MRS/NMR, slug test). 
• Set up and execute laboratory measurements with SIP, NMR, permeability and grain size.
• Quality analyses and filtering of data for noise.
• Adaptation and development of scripts and software for data handling, inversion, interpretation and visualisation.
• Data processing, analysis, inversion and interpretation of field data with focus on hydraulic properties.
• Writing field and project reports.
• Present results at conferences and in peer-reviewed scientific articles.
• Seeking external research funding.
• Supervision of students on BSc, MSc and PhD level.
• Collaboration with industry and wider society.
• Administration linked to the tasks above is included.

Qualification requirements 

Appointment to a post-doctoral position requires that the applicant has a PhD, or an international degree deemed equivalent to a PhD, within the subject of the position. The certificate proving the qualification requirement is met, must be received before the employment decision is made. Priority will be given to candidates who have graduated no more than three years ago before the last day for application. Under special circumstances, the doctoral degree can have been completed earlier.

Requirements:

• Very good oral and written proficiency in English. 
• Documented training and experience of electrical/electromagnetic methods under field and/or laboratory conditions.
• Documented skills in data handling including writing scripts/software to automate it. 
• Documented ability to organise, implement and lead field experiments.
• Driving license.
• Good communication and organisational skills.
• Documented ability to present and publish results at national and international conferences and in peer-reviewed scientific journals.

Assessment criteria 

This is a career development position primarily focused on research. The position is intended as an initial step in a career, and the assessment of the applicants will primarily be based on their research qualifications and potential as researchers. Particular emphasis will be placed on research skills within the subject.

For appointments to a post-doctoral position, the following shall form the assessment criteria:

• A good ability to develop and conduct high quality research.
• Teaching skills. 

Other meritorious qualifications:

• Documented skills in Python programming.
• Knowledge and experience in hydrogeophysics
• Experience of the IP method in frequency domain (SIP).
• Ability to successfully apply for and receive research funding.

Consideration will also be given to how the applicant’s experience and skills complement and strengthen ongoing research within the department, and how they stand to contribute to its future development.

We offer

Lund University is a public authority which means that employees get particular benefits, generous annual leave and an advantageous occupational pension scheme. Read more on the University website about being a Lund University employee Work at Lund University. 

Further information

This is a full-time, fixed-term employment of 2 years. The period of employment is determined in accordance with the agreement “Avtal om tidsbegränsad anställning som postdoktor” (“Agreement on fixed-term employment as a post-doctoral fellow”).

How to apply

Applications are to be submitted via the University’s recruitment system. The application should include a CV and a personal letter justifying your interest in the position and how it matches your qualifications. The application should also include a degree certificate or equivalent and any other document to which you would like to draw attention (copies of grade transcripts, details of referees, letters of recommendation, etc.). 

Welcome to apply!