Doctoral student in Engineering Geology

Description of the workplace

At the Division of Engineering Geology, we work with education and research focused on methods for assessing properties of geological materials, groundwater and civil engineering constructions as well as characterization and monitoring of their structural health. We develop and use geophysical and nondestructive 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. 

• More information about the Division of Engineering Geology - tg.lth.se
• More information on the national research infrastructure Riksriggen - riksriggen.se

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.

The position is based at the Engineering Geology Division, but there will be a close collaboration with the members within the Smart Exploration Research Center, SERC (smartexploration.se). This center brings together a multidisciplinary team from geology, geophysics, socioeconomics, nanotechnology, and IT, based at Uppsala University. The team is further supported by experts from Gothenburg, Lund, and Stockholm Universities, three mining companies, and five solution providers. Together, they aim to develop innovative solutions for the exploration of critical and strategic minerals and metals.

Subject description

Deep geological conditions, including raw materials within the rock mass and formation fluids, remain less explored compared to shallow subsurface conditions. In Sweden there exists a network of deep boreholes, which have been drilled for e.g. geothermal, scientific and nuclear repository purposes. The deep boreholes are placed in different geological environments and most of the boreholes are core drilled; however, mud rotary drilling have been used for the deepest ones. Most of the boreholes have been drilled and tested over the past 20 years and are still accessible. Drill cores or cuttings are available for further studies for many of the boreholes, as well as geological descriptions, drilling parameters, results from in-situ measurements such as borehole logging, hydraulic tests and water sampling. Additionally, XRF-data from the scanned drill cores, as well as petrophysical information from core logging is available for a selection of boreholes.  

Work duties

The main duties of doctoral students are to devote themselves to their research studies which includes participating in research projects and third cycle courses. The work duties can also include teaching and other departmental duties (no more than 20%).

This PhD project aims to investigate the deep geological conditions concerning critical raw materials within the rock mass and formation fluids. While extensive data has been collected, as outlined in the subject description above, much of this information remains underutilized from a raw materials perspective. By focusing on both the rock mass and the formation fluids, this research seeks to bridge that gap, leveraging available datasets to provide new insights.

The outcomes of this PhD work will contribute to a deeper understanding of the processes governing the distribution, concentration, and accessibility of critical raw materials in deep geological formations. Additionally, it will explore the potential of formation fluids as alternative resources, offering a broader perspective on sustainable raw material exploration. 

Detailed description of the work duties:

• Evaluation of available information and supplementation with measurements that have not previously been carried out in the boreholes or on the cores.
• Finding a toolbox that can be useful for mineral exploration as well as finding new deep geological raw material assets.
• Application and further development of the Induced Polarization (IP) method on drill cores and within boreholes to assess its suitability and effectiveness as an exploration technique for deep conditions. 
• Identify synergies between geothermal and mineral exploration, leveraging boreholes originally drilled and tested for geothermal purposes to evaluate their potential for mineral resource assessment. 
• Participate in third-cycle courses.
• Present research findings at conferences and in scientific journals.
• Collaborate with industry, research partners and broader society.

Admission requirements 

A person meets the general admission requirements for third-cycle courses and study programmes if the applicant: 

• has been awarded a second-cycle qualification, or
• has satisfied the requirements for courses comprising at least 240 credits of which at least 60 credits were awarded in the second cycle, or
• has acquired substantially equivalent knowledge in some other way in Sweden or abroad.

A person meets the specific admission requirements for third cycle studies in Engineering Geology if the applicant has: 

• At least 45 second-cycle credits of relevance to the field of the third cycle programme. 

Additional requirements:

• Very good oral and written proficiency in English.
• Very good knowledge of geology and/or geophysics
• A basic understanding of mineralogy, petrophysics and geochemistry. 
• A good understanding of physics, chemistry, mathematics and statistics. 
• Very good communication skills with ability to write reports/publications and to disseminate results. 
• Collaborations skills are a necessity to interact with the other particpants in the research teams as well as the industry partners taking part in the cooperation. 

Assessment criteria

Selection for third-cycle studies is based on the student’s potential to profit from such studies. The assessment of potential is made primarily on the basis of academic results from the first and second cycle. Special attention is paid to the following: 

1. Knowledge and skills relevant to the thesis project and the subject of study.
2. An assessment of ability to work independently and to formulate and tackle research problems.
3. Written and oral communication skills.
4. Other experience relevant to the third-cycle studies, e.g. professional experience.
    

Other assessment criteria:

• B driving licence
• Experience from (outdoor) field work  and/or laboratory work

Consideration will also be given to good collaborative skills, drive and independence, and how the applicant, through experience and skills, is deemed to have the abilities necessary for successfully completing the third cycle programme.

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

Terms of employment

Only those admitted to third cycle studies may be appointed to a doctoral studentship. Third cycle studies at LTH consist of full-time studies for 4 years. A doctoral studentship is a fixed-term employment of a maximum of 5 years (including 20% departmental duties). Doctoral studentships are regulated in the Higher Education Ordinance (1993:100), chapter 5, 1-7 §§.

How to apply

Applications shall be written in English and include a cover letter stating the reasons why you are interested in the position and in what way the research project corresponds to your interests and educational background. The application must also contain a CV, degree certificate or equivalent, and other documents you wish to be considered (grade transcripts, contact information for your references, letters of recommendation, etc.).

We look forward to receiving your application!