Postdoctoral Researcher in Hydraulic Stimulation and Proppant Behaviour in Crystalline Rock

ETH Zürich

100%, Zurich, fixed-term

The Chair of Engineering Geology and the BedrettoLab at ETH Zurich invites applications for a Postdoctoral Researcher position within the European research project UPLIFT, focusing on environmentally friendly hydraulic stimulation technologies in crystalline rock formations. The position is based at ETH Zurich and involves experimental research at the Bedretto Underground Laboratory. Hydraulic stimulation is a key technology for enhancing permeability in geothermal reservoirs. While multi-stage stimulation using proppants and chemical additives is widely applied in the oil and gas industry, its acceptance in Europe remains limited due to environmental concerns. Water-only stimulation approaches are more commonly accepted, yet their effectiveness compared to proppant-based methods particularly in crystalline rock remains insufficiently understood. The Bedretto Underground Laboratory provides a unique, highly instrumented environment to investigate coupled seismo-hydro-thermo-mechanical processes during hydraulic stimulation. Within the UPLIFT project, controlled laboratory and field-scale experiments will be conducted to evaluate water-only, proppant-based, and chemically assisted stimulation techniques. The goal is to develop safe, efficient, and environmentally acceptable stimulation strategies for geothermal applications across Europe.

Job description

• Plan, conduct and analyse hydraulic stimulation experiments including proppant in vertical and horizontal boreholes (30–120 m scale) to investigate proppant transport, placement efficiency, and interaction with natural fracture networks
• Assess the effectiveness of different stimulation strategies and proppant placement approaches under varying geological conditions in terms of permeability enhancement and fracture geometry
• Collaborate with project partners performing small-scale laboratory experiments (GFZ) regarding joint interpretations and recommendations for the design full-scale hydraulic stimulation operations (e.g., Litoměřice site and other European contexts)
• Contribute to project deliverables and reporting, publish results in peer-reviewed journals and present findings at international conferences
• Collaborate closely with project UPLIFT partners (GFZ, various industry partners) and support coordination between experimental, modelling, and field activities

Profile

• PhD in Engineering Geology, Geophysics, Geomechanics, Earth Sciences, Physics, Engineering, or a related field
• Strong background in rock mechanics, hydrogeology, or reservoir engineering
• Experience with laboratory experiments and/or fieldwork in subsurface environments
• Willingness to participate in underground field campaigns
• Skills in numerical modelling (e.g., fracture mechanics, fluid flow)
• Strong programming skills (e.g., Python, MATLAB, or similar)
• Experience with seismic or fibre-optic sensing data is an asset
• Ability to work independently and lead research tasks within a collaborative environment
• Excellent communication skills in English

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 unique underground research infrastructure at BedrettoLab
• A dynamic, interdisciplinary and international research environment with strong links to academia and industry
• Opportunities to lead publications and develop an independent research profile
• Participation in international collaborations within a major European project

Supervision and Environment

The postdoctoral researcher will be hosted at the Chair of Engineering Geology at ETH Zurich and collaborate strongly with the BedrettoLab Team and the Swiss Seismological Service. She/he will work within a multidisciplinary consortium involving academic and industrial partners across Europe. The position offers close interaction with experts in geophysics, geomechanics, and geothermal energy.

Preferred start date: August 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.