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Bayi Glacier in Qilian Mountain, China (Credit: Xiaoming Wang, distributed via imaggeo.egu.eu)

Job advertisement PhD position: "Construction of hybrid statistical and mechanical models for forecasting induced seismicity in deep geothermal energy"

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PhD position: "Construction of hybrid statistical and mechanical models for forecasting induced seismicity in deep geothermal energy"

Position
PhD position: "Construction of hybrid statistical and mechanical models for forecasting induced seismicity in deep geothermal energy"

Employer

CFG Geothermal

Homepage: https://www.cfg-geo.fr/


Location
France

Sector
Other

Relevant divisions
Energy, Resources and the Environment (ERE)
Seismology (SM)

Type
Contract

Level
Student / Graduate / Internship

Salary
Open

Required education
Master

Application deadline
15 June 2025

Posted
9 April 2025

Job description

The PhD candidate will focus on developing hybrid models to create a tool applicable to various deep geothermal contexts.

The work will focus on:

  • Statistical modeling of induced seismicity using the ETAS model or a similar approach. This includes familiarization with the code and
    validation using well-documented geothermal datasets, such as those from The Geysers in California and Soultz-sous-Forêts in France.
  • Building a database using publicly available data.
  • Identification of the hydro-mechanical model by comparing the performance of different approaches in the context of injectionproduction.
  • Preparation and execution of models for generating induced seismicity catalogs. The goal is to understand the sensitivity of mechanical,
    hydraulic, and/or thermal parameters and to develop a synthetic database.
  • Development of a hybrid statistical-mechanical approach based on synthetic case studies.
  • Development of a predictive system for induced seismicity in geothermal energy, with application of the method to a site of interest.
  • Developments to optimize computation times, identify non-compressible times for future operational deployment,and create a tool that
    can be used by non-specialists in programming.

We are looking for an enthusiastic young scientist with skills in modeling, coding, and knowledge of seismology. The candidate should have a Master’s degree in Geophysics, Seismology, Geomechanics, Applied Geosciences, or a similar field. The candidate must be interested in data analysis, statistical methods, and modeling in common scientific programming languages such as Python, Matlab, C, or Fortran. It is important to note that the position involves working in a team with both on-site and remote supervisors. The position requires excellent teamwork and communication skills, including proficiency in both spoken and written English. The role demands technical expertise as well as the ability to publish articles in peer-reviewed journals and participate in international conferences.


How to apply

The student will have a 36-month CDD contract with CFG as part of a CIFRE thesis, and will be enrolled in the STEP Doctoral School of UGA (Université Grenoble Alpes) and USMB (Université de Savoie Mont-Blanc). Work will be carried out at ISTerre Chambéry (approx. 12 months) and at BRGM-CFG Orléans (approx. 24 months).

For further information and applications please contact: Julie Maury J.Maury@brgm.fr