PhD position in acoustic monitoring of laboratory faults

ob description
The position is part of the 'SEISMIC' project, awarded to Dr A.R. Niemeijer by the European Research Council through their starting grant program. 'SEISMIC' is concerned with understanding earthquake nucleation and propagation. These are controlled by the frictional properties of the fault rocks that rupture during seismic events. The evolution of friction with varying sliding velocity is commonly expressed by empirical (rate-and-state) friction equations. However, there is little theoretical basis to extrapolate these parameters to natural conditions. The PhD project aims to develop a novel acoustic technique for probing simulated fault gouges in the laboratory during deformation. Experiments will involve the use of acoustic sensors to record and locate laboratory earthquakes, as well as the development of an appropriate experimental set-up to obtain 3D acoustic images of the internal structure of the deforming fault zone. The research team members include project leader Dr A.R. Niemeijer (P.I. and supervisor), Prof J.A Trampert (promotor) and Prof C.J Spiers (promotor) at the Department of Earth Sciences, Utrecht University. The research will be performed at Utrecht University.
Qualifications
The successful candidate should be ambitious and have an MSc (or equivalent) in Earth Sciences, Physics or possibly Materials Science, preferably with a background in seismology and an interest in experimental rock deformation or in granular materials. A broad interest in geosciences, and the willingness and capacity to interact in a multidisciplinary team is essential. The candidate should be fluent in oral and written English, since the host group is highly international in composition. Candidates will be expected to assist in the teaching programmes of the Department of Earth Sciences for a limited amount of time (~0,1 fte).
Offer
The successful candidate will be offered a full-time PhD position, initially for one year. Depending on a satisfactory performance this may be extended to a maximum period of four years, resulting in a doctorate within this period. The first evaluation will take place after approximately six months of employment, with a second after nine months. After the nine-month evaluation, the decision will be made whether an extension of the contract to the maximum period of four years will be offered to the employee. Employment conditions are based on the Collective Labour Agreement of the Dutch Universities. The gross monthly salary starts at € 2,083.- in the first year and increases to € 2,664.- in the fourth year, and is supplemented by a holiday allowance of 8% per year and a year-end bonus of 8.3% (salary level 1-9-2013). We also offer a pension scheme, a health insurance allowance and flexible employment conditions.
About the organisation
Utrecht University has high ambitions for its teaching quality and study success rates. This also applies to its research programmes which are centred around four themes: Sustainability, Life Sciences, Youth & Identity and Institutions. Utrecht University plays a prominent role in society and contributes to finding the answers to topical and future societal issues. The Faculty of Geosciences at Utrecht University offers a wide spectrum of education and research concerning the geosphere, biosphere, atmosphere and anthroposphere. With a population of 2,500 students (BSc and MSc) and 600 staff, the faculty is a strong and dynamic organisation. The Faculty is committed to interdisciplinary and cross-institutional collaboration, and plays a key role in the Dutch national research school structure. In the Netherlands, the Faculty is the largest institute in its field, and it has received the highest ratings in international assessments of geosciences in the Netherlands. It embodies four departments: Earth Sciences, Physical Geography, Innovation, Environmental & Energy Sciences, and Human Geography & Urban & Regional Planning. The Department of Earth Sciences conducts teaching and research across the full range of the solid Earth and environmental Earth sciences, with activities in almost all areas of geology, geochemistry, geophysics, biogeology and hydrogeology. The department hosts a highly international group of more than 100 PhD students and postdoctoral researchers and houses a wide variety of world-class laboratories.
Additional information
Informal enquiries may be sent to Dr André Niemeijer: A.R.Niemeijer@uu.nl. You may also wish to visit the research pages of the Utrecht Institute of Earth Sciences to become more familiar with the institute.