Postdoc Position in Production-induced Seismicity in Fractured Reservoirs

ETH Zürich

Postdoc Position in Production-induced Seismicity in Fractured Reservoirs

100%, Zurich, fixed-term

The Swiss Seismological Service (SED) and the BedrettoLab at ETH Zurich invite applications for a Postdoctoral Researcher position within a two-year research project on poroelastic effects and induced seismicity in geothermal systems. The position focuses on production-induced seismicity in fractured reservoirs and combines field experiments, data analysis, and numerical modelling.

Project background

Geothermal energy projects can induce seismicity during both fluid injection and fluid production through by complex hydromechanical processes in fractured rock. Development of simple and standardized modelling approaches to assess production-induced seismicity would benefit from insitu observations to identify relevant or missing hydromechanical processes and to calibrate models with. The project leverages the unique infrastructure of the Bedretto Underground Laboratory, where dense multiparametric monitoring networks provide unprecedented observations of pressure, deformation, and seismicity. The project aims at validating modelling approaches and practical workflows for assessing seismic hazard related to fluid production in Swiss geothermal projects (e.g. in Vaud and Geneva).

Job description

• Analyse high-resolution pressure, deformation, and seismic datasets from past and new production experiments to identify governing hydromechanical processes
• Develop and apply coupled hydromechanical models (continuum and discontinuum) to reproduce observed behaviour and quantify poroelastic effects in fractured reservoirs
• Develop and apply earthquake source physics models to understand processes underlying induced seismicity
• Plan and conduct controlled production experiments at the BedrettoLab to test hypotheses and validate models
• Translate modelling results into simplified and scalable workflows for assessing production-induced seismicity in geothermal projects
• Apply developed methods to realistic geothermal scenarios (e.g., Swiss hydrothermal systems) and contribute to best-practice guidelines
• Publish results in peer-reviewed journals, present at conferences, and collaborate with academic, governmental, and industry stakeholders

Profile

• PhD in Geophysics, Geomechanics, Earth Sciences, Physics, Engineering, or a related field
• Strong background in hydromechanics, reservoir modelling, induced seismicity, earthquake source physics
• Experience with numerical modelling tools (e.g., MOOSE, PorePy, or similar)
• Programming skills (Python, MATLAB, or similar)
• Experience with field data and/or underground experiments is an advantage
• Ability to work independently and lead research activities
• Strong analytical and communication skills in English (German or French is a plus)

Workplace

Sonneggstrasse 5, 8092 Zürich, Switzerland

We offer

• A fully funded postdoctoral position (initially 2 years, with possible extension)
• Employment according to ETH Zurich regulations
• Access to the Bedretto Underground Laboratory, a world-leading research infrastructure
• A highly interdisciplinary environment bridging geophysics, geomechanics, energy research and earthquake physics
• Opportunities to lead publications and develop an independent research profile
• Close collaboration with ETH Zurich, the Swiss Seismological Service, and external stakeholders such as Swiss Federal Office of Energy, Canton de Genève, Canton de Vaud

Supervision and Environment

The position is jointly hosted by the Swiss Seismological Service (SED) at ETH Zurich in close collaboration with the BedrettoLab and the Chair of Engineering Geology. The postdoctoral researcher will work closely with experts in hydromechanics, induced seismicity, geothermal energy and earthquake source physics, and will interact with ongoing national and international projects.

Preferred start date: July 2026

We look forward to receiving your online application until end of May 2026 with the following documents:

• Motivation letter
• CV
• List of publications
• Contact details of 2–3 references

Further information about BedrettoLab can be found on our website. Questions regarding the position should be directed to Dr. Valentin Gischig (valentin.gischig@eaps.ethz.ch) (no applications).

Please note that we exclusively accept applications submitted through our online application portal. Applications via email or postal services will not be considered.