Job description

Subsurface reservoirs are used for various applications driving the energy transition towards zero-carbon energy. Making optimal use of subsurface reservoirs is a great challenge for society these days. Geological CO2 and hydrogen storage can play a significant role in modern energy transition. However, accurate modeling of gas injection applications in deep subsurface reservoirs is a challenging task. First, the simulation framework should include complex physical phenomena, i.e., thermal-multiphase-chemical flow. The computational models depend on many uncertain reservoir parameters and imprecise measurements which require a significant number of forward modeling runs for performance optimization or risk assessment. For that, the modeling process should achieve the required level of accuracy, robustness, and efficiency. To satisfy these requirements, we are going to utilize the Operator-Based Linearization (OBL) and drift-flux multisegment techniques. OBL is the advanced parametrization technique allowing to translation of the governing physics of complex flow and transport processes into multi-dimensional tables representing the physical terms in governing partial differential equations. A drift-flux multi-segmented well approach allows to representation of realistic multi-phase flow in the wellbore and surface facilities which can be directly coupled with the flow in the reservoir. Using these two methods, we extend our Delft Advanced Research Terra Simulator (DARTS) to accurate modeling of well-reservoir interactions which play a significant role in the security of CO2 and H2 reservoir storage. 

Requirements

Need to have:

• Programming in Python and C++;
• Experience in Reservoir Simulation;
• Some undertanding of thermodynamics.

Nice to have:

• Experience in Operator-Based Linearization (OBL) approach;
• Experience in wellbore modeling tools (e.g., OLGA);
• Experience in scientific writing.

Doing a PhD at TU Delft requires English proficiency at a certain level to ensure that the candidate is able to communicate and interact well, participate in English-taught Doctoral Education courses, and write scientific articles and a final thesis. For more details please check the Graduate Schools Admission Requirements.

Conditions of employment

Doctoral candidates will be offered a 4-year period of employment in principle, but in the form of 2 employment contracts. An initial 1,5 year contract with an official go/no go progress assessment within 15 months. Followed by an additional contract for the remaining 2,5 years assuming everything goes well and performance requirements are met.

Salary and benefits are in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities, increasing from € 2770 per month in the first year to € 3539 in the fourth year. As a PhD candidate you will be enrolled in the TU Delft Graduate School. The TU Delft Graduate School provides an inspiring research environment with an excellent team of supervisors, academic staff and a mentor. The Doctoral Education Programme is aimed at developing your transferable, discipline-related and research skills.

The TU Delft offers a customisable compensation package, discounts on health insurance and sport memberships, and a monthly work costs contribution. Flexible work schedules can be arranged. 

For international applicants, TU Delft has the Coming to Delft Service. This service provides information for new international employees to help you prepare the relocation and to settle in the Netherlands. The Coming to Delft Service offers a Dual Career Programme for partners and they organise events to expand your (social) network.

TU Delft (Delft University of Technology)

Delft University of Technology is built on strong foundations. As creators of the world-famous Dutch waterworks and pioneers in biotech, TU Delft is a top international university combining science, engineering and design. It delivers world class results in education, research and innovation to address challenges in the areas of energy, climate, mobility, health and digital society. For generations, our engineers have proven to be entrepreneurial problem-solvers, both in business and in a social context.

At TU Delft we embrace diversity as one of our core values and we actively engage to be a university where you feel at home and can flourish. We value different perspectives and qualities. We believe this makes our work more innovative, the TU Delft community more vibrant and the world more just. Together, we imagine, invent and create solutions using technology to have a positive impact on a global scale. That is why we invite you to apply. Your application will receive fair consideration.

Challenge. Change. Impact!

Faculty Civil Engineering & Geosciences

The Faculty of Civil Engineering & Geosciences (CEG) is committed to outstanding international research and education in the field of civil engineering, applied earth sciences, traffic and transport, water technology, and delta technology. Our research feeds into our educational programmes and covers societal challenges such as climate change, energy transition, resource availability, urbanisation and clean water. Our research projects are conducted in close cooperation with a wide range of research institutions. CEG is convinced of the importance of open science and supports its scientists in integrating open science in their research practice. The Faculty of CEG comprises 28 research groups in the following seven departments: Materials Mechanics Management & Design, Engineering Structures, Geoscience and Engineering, Geoscience and Remote Sensing, Transport & Planning, Hydraulic Engineering and Water Management.

Click here to go to the website of the Faculty of Civil Engineering & Geosciences.

Additional information

Working on this project, you will benefit from working with two teams. The first is the recently created Advanced Sub-Surface Energy Technology (ASSET) program for improving existing and developing new technologies for energy transition. Another team includes core developers of Delft Advanced Research Terra SImulator (DARTS) - a modern research platform for the simulation of complex physical phenomena in porous media including energy transition applications (https://darts.citg.tudelft.nl/).

For information about the application procedure, please contact, e-mail: d.v.voskov@tudelft.nl.      

Application procedure

Are you interested in this vacancy? Please apply before 22 October 2023 via the application button and upload your motivation and CV.

• You can apply online. We will not process applications sent by email and/or post.
• A pre-Employment screening can be part of the selection procedure.
• Please do not contact us for unsolicited services.