PhD in Environmental Hydrogeology and Clay Interfaces at Utrecht University Utrecht University in Netherlands

Utrecht University is offering a fully funded PhD position in Environmental Hydrogeology, focusing on the upscaling of pore-scale behaviour of clay interfaces in groundwater systems. The research is situated within the Faculty of Geosciences, Department of Earth Sciences, and aims to address the critical role of clays as protective layers in aquifers, drinking-water reservoirs, and subsurface energy storage systems. As societal reliance on the subsurface grows, understanding the response of clay layers to environmental stressors becomes essential for sustainable engineering and resource management.

The successful candidate will develop an integrated approach combining microfluidic experiments and advanced numerical modeling to investigate clay behaviour from the micrometer to centimeter scale. Research activities include designing and conducting experiments to study the effects of temperature, pressure, salinity, and wet-dry cycles on clay permeability, particle mobilization, and flow pathways. The project will utilize state-of-the-art facilities at the Porous Media Lab, part of Utrecht GeoLab, and will involve both laboratory and computational work.

Key research questions include: How do environmental changes weaken clay-substrate interfaces? What pore-scale processes lead to microfractures and particle movement? Can robust upscaling methods be developed to predict field-scale behaviour? The answers will inform sustainable subsurface engineering, protection of water resources, and resilience of urban infrastructure.

The PhD position offers a personalized training program, professional development opportunities, and teaching experience. Candidates must have an MSc in Earth Sciences, Hydrogeology, Physics, Environmental Engineering, or a related field, with strong experimental or modeling skills, proficiency in programming, and excellent English communication. Experience with microfluidics, clay mineralogy, or advanced modeling techniques is desirable.

The position is fully funded for four years, with a gross monthly salary between €3,059 and €3,881, plus holiday and year-end bonuses, pension, and flexible employment terms. The application deadline is 22 March 2026. Applications must be submitted online via the Utrecht University portal. For informal inquiries, contact Dr Thomas Sweijen at [email protected].