Phd Student in Alpine Hydrogeophysics - Lausanne, Schweiz - Université de Lausanne

Université de Lausanne

Geprüftes Unternehmen

Lausanne, Schweiz

vor 2 Wochen

Geschrieben von:

Lena Schneider

beBee Recruiter

Beschreibung

Introduction:

UNIL is a leading international teaching and research institution, with over 5,000 employees and 17,000 students split between its Dorigny campus, CHUV and Epalinges.

As an employer, UNIL encourages excellence, individual recognition and responsibility.

Presentation:

A PhD position is available to work with the Applied and Environmental Geophysics Group within the Institute of Earth Sciences (ISTE) at UNIL, in close collaboration with the Centre for Hydrogeology and Geothermics (CHYN) at the University of Neuchâtel (UNINE).

The PhD project will address process
- and methodology-oriented questions in alpine hydrogeology and geophysics. The research will be developed in the Val d'Ursé catchment, located in the Bernina mountain range in the canton of Graubünden, Switzerland. This catchment is underlain by crystalline bedrock, where groundwater storage and flow are controlled by a dense network of fractures and faults. It has a large rock glacier on its north-east facing slope, which contributes to water and solute fluxes through freeze-thaw cycles.

Process-based questions to be addressed within this PhD include: How do permafrost dynamics and freeze-thaw cycles impact groundwater recharge and flow patterns? What is the contribution of freeze/thaw cycles in the rock glacier on groundwater recharge and mixing at the hillslope scale? How can one detect enhanced flow channelling within the fracture network at the catchment scale? Methodology-related questions include: How can geophysical data be used to inform or test distributed groundwater models of alpine catchments? What geophysical methods and measurement configurations are best suited for this purpose? Geophysical techniques to be considered include (i) drone-based ground-penetrating radar to study the rock glacier and fracture patterns in the near subsurface; (ii) electrical resistivity surveying to study water-content dynamics and fracture-induced anisotropy; and (iii) self-potential measurements to learn about groundwater flow patterns and diurnal variations in flow dynamics below the rock glacier.

The chosen PhD student will have the possibility to adapt the specific research direction based on her/his interests.

Job information:

Expected starting date:
or to be decided upon

Contract length: 1 year, renewable up to 4 years

Activity rate: 100%

Workplace:
Institute of Earth Sciences, Faculty of Geosciences and Environment, University of Lausanne

Your responsibilities:

Work independently and in collaboration with project partners to advance research within the scope of a PhD thesis. Contribute (15%) to teaching or other institutional activities.

Your qualifications:

What the position offers you:

You will join an institute of 160 members dedicated to research and teaching in the Earth sciences. We offer a multicultural, diverse and dynamic academic environment, with opportunities for professional training and networking.

Contact for further information:

Deadline: 15 May 2024

Please provide the following documents in PDF format: