Career Center

Lawrence Berkeley National Lab's (LBNL) Energy Geosciences Division has an opening for a Postdoctoral Scholar who have the potential and desire to contribute to exciting research projects in the field of geomechanics and subsurface coupled processes modeling.

Application areas include nuclear waste disposal, geothermal energy extraction, geologic sequestration of carbon dioxide, and subsurface energy storage that are all critical for the decarbonization of energy production. In this exciting role, you will work with PI Jonny Rutqvist, on the implementation and application of new multiphysical laws of geological media (rocks and soils) for modeling subsurface coupled thermal, hydrological, and mechanical processes.

What You Will Do:

• Develop, implement and apply new advanced multiphysical constitutive models for rock and soils for subsurface coupled processes modeling.
• Conduct numerical modeling of geomechanics and coupled subsurface processes for a wide range of geoscience applications, such as nuclear waste disposal, geologic carbon sequestration, geothermal exploitation, subsurface energy storage.
• Collaborate with scientists to conduct numerical modeling or experimental studies on rocks and soil.
• Present research at meetings and publications in journals, conference papers, and refereed journal articles.
• Adhere with Berkeley Lab's environmental, health and safety guidelines.

What is Required:

• Recent Ph.D. degree in Rock Mechanics, Soil Mechanics, Geotechnical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Petroleum Engineering, Civil Engineering, or a related geoscience field that is earned no later than by the program start date.
• Expertise in development and application of constitutive models for mechanics, coupled with thermal, hydrological processes.
• Experience in modeling and analyzing coupled thermal, hydrological and geomechanical processes in the subsurface, including skills of coding.
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to work in a team and form strong collaborations.
• An established publication record.
• Demonstrated experience in all aspects of research, development, and demonstration in the applied and engineering sciences.
• Strong communication skills both in written and verbal.

Desired Qualifications:

• Experience in performing experiments and analyzing data from laboratory and field experiments.

Notes:

• This is a full-time 1.5 years, postdoctoral appointment with the possibility of renewal up to 3 years based upon satisfactory job performance, continuing availability of funds and ongoing operational needs. You must have less than 3.5 years of paid postdoctoral experience.
• This position is represented by a union for collective bargaining purposes.
• This position may be subject to a background check. Any convictions will be evaluated to determine if they directly relate to the responsibilities and requirements of the position. Having a conviction history will not automatically disqualify an applicant from being considered for employment.
• Work will be primarily performed at Lawrence Berkeley National Lab, 1 Cyclotron Road, Berkeley, CA.
• The monthly salary range for this position is $6,476.00 - $7,887.00 Postdoctoral positions are paid on a step schedule per union contract and salaries will be predetermined based on postdoctoral step rates. Each step represents one full year of completed post-PhD Postdoctoral and/or related research experience

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