Research Associate in Multiscale Tomography for Quantification and Simulation of Geological Systems
Organisational: The University of Manchester, Engineering Physical Sciences Faculty, School of Materials
Division: X-Ray Imaging
Closing date: 17/08/2012
Reference: EPS-01390
Salary: £29,249 to £35.938
Employment type: Fixed Term
Duration: 3 years
Hours per week: 35
Location: Manchester X-ray Imaging Facility within the Research Complex at Harwell, Rutherford Appleton Laboratories, Didcot, Oxfordshire
The successful applicant will join the dynamic group of academics, beamline scientists, and researchers that form the Manchester X-ray Imaging Facility (MXIF, see www.mxif.manchester.ac.uk) / Diamond-Manchester Beambranch teams at the Research Complex at Harwell (RCaH, see www.rc-harwell.ac.uk) / Diamond Light Source (www.diamond.ac.uk) in Oxfordshire. Working as part of this team, the successful candidate will use multiscale tomographic techniques to characterise and simulate range of geological systems from the mudrocks that are currently being exploited or targeted as potential shale gas reservoirs through to tight-gas sandstone and oil-rich carbonate reservoirs. They will use state-of-the-art EM, and laboratory and synchrotron nano and micro X-ray tomography techniques, including K-edge mapping and XANES, to perform multiscale characterisation of the 3D structures within these systems.
Working in collaboration with academics from the Schools for Materials and Earth, Atmospheric and Environmental Studies and with other members of the MXIF and the University of Manchester, multi-scale characterisations will be used to both inform and validate your numerical simulations at both atomistic and microstructural level. You will work on several themes, with core projects potentially including: 1. working as part of a University of Manchester - Industry consortium investigating the fundamental science controlling hydrocarbon transport and release from shale gas reservoirs; 2. Subsurface CO2 sequestration; and 3. Hydrocarbon flows in carbonate rocks. Hence it will require travel within the UK to interact with partners. In addition to the core projects, the post-holder will support similar experimental and modelling activities within the 20 strong team of researchers in the MXIF, working on a range of nano-imaging, micro-imaging projects at both the Manchester and Harwell sites.
The post-holder will need to show a high level of initiative and an ability to work independently. Applicants should have a relevant PhD (or equivalent experience) along with good team-working skills, and a strong command of the English language. Previous experience is required in finite element or discrete element modelling, (ideally in modelling of flow at a range of scales), as well as in visualisation and analysis of significant volumes of experimental data using highly developed IT skills. The ability to act as lead author in scientific papers and reports and to present work at international conferences is also essential. A geological knowledge of sedimentary systems, petroleum, or hydrogeology would also be an advantage.
Informal enquiries
Informal enquiries can be made to Professor Peter Lee: Email: peter.lee@manchester.ac.uk
Further particulars https://www.jobs.manchester.ac.uk/Candidatesaa/Preview.aspx?clientid=73&attachmentid=4980
