water production urban development climate change mitigation In Utrecht, shallow aquifers are widely used for Aquifer Thermal Energy Storage (ATES), where seasonal heat is stored in groundwater for heating and cooling buildings. However, a major challenge exists: wells suffer from particle clogging due to fine sediment transport clogging reduces efficiency and requires costly regeneration prediction of clogging risk is currently unreliable This project aims to understand why, where, and how clogging occurs , linking sedimentology and groundwater flow dynamics. What You Will Do You will investigate the relationship between: particle dynamics Quaternary geology groundwater flow in shallow aquifers Your work will combine: subsurface geological data and mapping of Pleistocene fluvial and glaciofluvial sediments column-scale laboratory flow experiments numerical modelling of groundwater flow and particle transport field-scale testing using existing ATES wells at Utrecht Science Park Key Research Questions You will address: What is the origin of problematic fine particles, and how do they relate to stratigraphy and depositional history? What physical parameters govern particle mobilization and clogging? Which geological settings and well designs are most vulnerable, and how can ATES systems be optimized? Research Goal The project aims to: improve understanding of subsurface particle transport support sustainable energy and water storage systems optimize well design and reduce maintenance costs strengthen decision-making in subsurface engineering Training and Development ~20% of your time is dedicated to training includes coursework and workshops participation in Bachelor’s and Master’s teaching exposure to academia, government, and industry networks support for career development in research and applied sectors Candidate Profile Required Qualifications You should have: MSc degree (completed or near completion before start) Strong analytical skills integrating: Programming experience (e.g., Python, MATLAB or similar) field observations experimental data computational modelling Experience with: flow-through or column experiments and/or numerical modelling of flow/transport in porous media Strong interest in: Motivation for interdisciplinary research with societal relevance hydrogeology Quaternary sedimentology Willingness to engage with government and industry stakeholders Excellent English communication skills (written and spoken) Desirable Qualifications Experience with: Experience linking lab experiments with field-scale systems reactive transport modelling particle transport soil–fluid interaction Employment Conditions Full-time position (1.0 FTE) Initial contract: 1 year Extension: up to 4 years total (after positive evaluation) Expected outcome: PhD degree Salary €3,059 – €3,881 gross per month (scale P) Additional benefits: 8% holiday allowance 8.3% year-end bonus pension scheme parental leave options flexible employment conditions Additional Utrecht University benefits include: professional development programmes sports and cultural facilities flexible employment options About the University and Faculty Utrecht University Utrecht University is a leading research university focused on: Dynamics of Youth Institutions for Open Societies Life Sciences Pathways to Sustainability Faculty of Geosciences The faculty studies the Earth system from core to surface, including human interaction with the environment. It includes four departments: Earth Sciences Physical Geography Human Geography & Spatial Planning Sustainable Development Department of Earth Sciences The department covers: geology geochemistry geophysics biogeology hydrogeology Research themes include: Earth & Planetary Processes Sustainable Use of the Subsurface Planetary Health & Environment Climate & Life Facilities include: Electron Microscopy Centre Geolab Earth Simulation Lab High-Performance Computing infrastructure Location Utrecht Science Park, Netherlands 15-minute bike ride from Utrecht city centre close to canals, cafés, and historic urban areas Contact For informal inquiries: Dr. Thomas Sweijen Email: T.Sweijen@uu.nl Application Applications must be submitted online. Required documents: Motivation letter (including motivation for PhD and department fit) CV (including relevant coursework) Academic transcripts and degree statements (if available) Note: No reference letters are required at initial stage Shortlisted candidates will be asked for referees later Additional Notes International candidates requiring visas should allow at least 4 months processing time Housing is the applicant’s responsibility (support may be provided via university services) Knowledge security screening may be part of selection

water production urban development climate change mitigation In Utrecht, shallow aquifers are widely used for Aquifer Thermal Energy Storage (ATES), where seasonal heat is stored in groundwater for heating and cooling buildings. However, a major challenge exists: wells suffer from particle clogging due to fine sediment transport clogging reduces efficiency and requires costly regeneration prediction of clogging risk is currently unreliable This project aims to understand why, where, and how clogging occurs , linking sedimentology and groundwater flow dynamics. What You Will Do You will investigate the relationship between: particle dynamics Quaternary geology groundwater flow in shallow aquifers Your work will combine: subsurface geological data and mapping of Pleistocene fluvial and glaciofluvial sediments column-scale laboratory flow experiments numerical modelling of groundwater flow and particle transport field-scale testing using existing ATES wells at Utrecht Science Park Key Research Questions You will address: What is the origin of problematic fine particles, and how do they relate to stratigraphy and depositional history? What physical parameters govern particle mobilization and clogging? Which geological settings and well designs are most vulnerable, and how can ATES systems be optimized? Research Goal The project aims to: improve understanding of subsurface particle transport support sustainable energy and water storage systems optimize well design and reduce maintenance costs strengthen decision-making in subsurface engineering Training and Development ~20% of your time is dedicated to training includes coursework and workshops participation in Bachelor’s and Master’s teaching exposure to academia, government, and industry networks support for career development in research and applied sectors Candidate Profile Required Qualifications You should have: MSc degree (completed or near completion before start) Strong analytical skills integrating: Programming experience (e.g., Python, MATLAB or similar) field observations experimental data computational modelling Experience with: flow-through or column experiments and/or numerical modelling of flow/transport in porous media Strong interest in: Motivation for interdisciplinary research with societal relevance hydrogeology Quaternary sedimentology Willingness to engage with government and industry stakeholders Excellent English communication skills (written and spoken) Desirable Qualifications Experience with: Experience linking lab experiments with field-scale systems reactive transport modelling particle transport soil–fluid interaction Employment Conditions Full-time position (1.0 FTE) Initial contract: 1 year Extension: up to 4 years total (after positive evaluation) Expected outcome: PhD degree Salary €3,059 – €3,881 gross per month (scale P) Additional benefits: 8% holiday allowance 8.3% year-end bonus pension scheme parental leave options flexible employment conditions Additional Utrecht University benefits include: professional development programmes sports and cultural facilities flexible employment options About the University and Faculty Utrecht University Utrecht University is a leading research university focused on: Dynamics of Youth Institutions for Open Societies Life Sciences Pathways to Sustainability Faculty of Geosciences The faculty studies the Earth system from core to surface, including human interaction with the environment. It includes four departments: Earth Sciences Physical Geography Human Geography & Spatial Planning Sustainable Development Department of Earth Sciences The department covers: geology geochemistry geophysics biogeology hydrogeology Research themes include: Earth & Planetary Processes Sustainable Use of the Subsurface Planetary Health & Environment Climate & Life Facilities include: Electron Microscopy Centre Geolab Earth Simulation Lab High-Performance Computing infrastructure Location Utrecht Science Park, Netherlands 15-minute bike ride from Utrecht city centre close to canals, cafés, and historic urban areas Contact For informal inquiries: Dr. Thomas Sweijen Email: T.Sweijen@uu.nl Application Applications must be submitted online. Required documents: Motivation letter (including motivation for PhD and department fit) CV (including relevant coursework) Academic transcripts and degree statements (if available) Note: No reference letters are required at initial stage Shortlisted candidates will be asked for referees later Additional Notes International candidates requiring visas should allow at least 4 months processing time Housing is the applicant’s responsibility (support may be provided via university services) Knowledge security screening may be part of selection