Thorsten Schäfer

Friedrich Schiller University Jena in Germany is offering a fully funded PhD position in Applied Geology at the Institute of Geosciences, starting March 1, 2026. The research focuses on upscaling geological heterogeneity at the pore scale using deep learning, with the development of advanced DL workflows, digital rock twins, X-ray CT analysis, flow simulations, and validation techniques such as porosity, permeability, NMR, and MICP. The project is supervised by Dr. Saeid Sadeghnejad and Prof. Dr. Thorsten Schäfer, both affiliated with Friedrich Schiller University Jena. Applicants should have a Master’s degree in Geosciences, Environmental Engineering, Reservoir Engineering, or a closely related field. Essential skills include deep learning or machine learning, pore-scale modeling, Python programming, and experience with micro X-ray CT. Fluency in English is required, while German language skills are considered an asset. The position is funded at the TV-L E13 salary scale (up to full scale), with a contract for three years at 30 hours per week. Additional benefits include over 30 days of vacation, family support, and interdisciplinary training opportunities for both academic and industry career paths. The application deadline is December 28, 2025. To apply, candidates should submit their application via the official university job portal. For more information, refer to the official job posting and the provided links. This opportunity is ideal for candidates interested in combining geosciences with advanced computational methods such as deep learning and digital rock physics.