Postdoctoral fellow

Job description

Postdoctoral fellow on underground hydrogen storage in aquifers:

Large-scale hydrogen storage is an important objective in the clean energy transition, because it can be used to store renewable energy: hydrogen can be generated at times of surplus in solar or wind energy, to be stored and used when the energy demand exceeds the renewable production. One of the most promising techniques to do this at a large scale is to inject hydrogen into pores or fractures that are naturally present in rock layers in the deep subsurface (typically deeper than 1000 m). However, actual experience of storing hydrogen in this type of geological reservoirs is very limited, and still requires fundamental scientific research.
This postdoctoral position fits within a research collaboration between Ghent University and Fluxys, the company which operates a.o. the Belgian natural gas transmission system. Currently, Fluxys stores natural gas in a karst aquifer (a fractured carbonate rock layer) at more than 1000 m depth in the North of Belgium, and wants to investigate if this site can be transitioned to a hydrogen storage. To contribute to this, you will investigate the flow properties of hydrogen in the pores/fractures of carbonate rock samples, its reactivity with the (saline) water and minerals present in the underground reservoir, and the risk that “microbial processes consume the stored hydrogen and change the hydraulic properties by biofilm clogging. This will be done by laboratory studies at UGent (Dept. Geology, Center for X-ray Tomography and Center for Microbial Ecology and Technology), using advanced experimental techniques such as X-ray micro-computed tomography, core floodings on fractured rock samples, high-pressure batch reaction tests, microbial community quantification and fingerprinting by flow cytometry and microbial community characterization by second generation sequencing. The successful candidate will also interact with Fluxys on a regular basis to compare laboratory results to field tests, aiding the interpretation. The work is supported by an Energy Transition Fund grant from the Belgian federal government.

As a postdoctoral researcher your tasks are:

• Design, set-up and analyze experiments in the lab, in collaboration with a PhD student already working on the project.
• Write reports, scientific publications, and attend international conferences
• Write reports, scientific publications, and attend international conferences
• Share results with colleagues and discuss interpretations at lab meetings and meetings with the industry partner
• Help to guide research projects of BSc, MSc (thesis) and PhD students

Job profile

• You hold a doctoral degree or a diploma or certificate recognized as equivalent by law or in application of the guidelines of the European Union or a bilateral agreement.
• In exceptional circumstances and based on detailed scientific justification, researchers who do not hold such a degree may also be considered, provided they have demonstrated exceptional scientific merit. Exceptonal scientific merit is defined as having excelled in scientific research and publications at a level at least equivalent to a doctoral degree.
• The grant can only be awarded within the framework of international scientific mobility. This is the case if: 1) the researcher has resided abroad for at least 24 months out of the 3 years prior to the start date of the postdoctoral fellowship and has not worked or studied in Belgium during that period. However, short-term stays in Belgium are allowed during 24 months, such as holidays, participation in conferences or a short stay to prepare for the period as a postdoctoral researcher. OR: 2) The researcher is funded by the Marie- Sklodovska-Curie Action (MSCA) and thus meets the associated mobility conditions.
• Only for postdoctoral researchers in international mobility
• You have strong laboratory skills, including building/modifying experimental setups (particularly in the context of liquids and gases under high pressure), developing new experimental workflows, and working with state-of-the-art equipment.
• You have at least basic programming skills in Python/Matlab or other programming languages.
• Experience with X-ray micro-CT imaging and/or rock core flooding is a plus.
• Experience with microbial community quantification and characterization is a plus.
• You have strong analytical and critical thinking skills, enabling you to design new experiments in function of theoretical questions.
• You have an excellent academic track record and an excellent command of the English language.
• You are a team player with excellent scientific and interpersonal communication skills.

We offer a full time positions as a postdoctoral fellow, with a minimum period of 18 months, which can be extended twice taking into account the maximum period of 36 months.

• In deviation the above, an EEA national, who has previously received a postdoctoral grant in the 12 months prior to an MSCA grant, can exceed the maximum term of 36 months under this MSCA grant provided that the entire term does not exceed 48 months.
• Your contract will start on March 1st, 2024, at the earliest.
• The grant amount is equal to the net salary of a doctoral assistant (AAP 5) with the same level of education and seniority and based on the same family situation as the doctoral assistant. The supervisor may deviate from this and assign a higher level based on acquired experience, professional career and demonstrated competences. The grant amount will not be revised in the current year except in case of indexation. Click here for more information about our salary scales.
• All Ghent University staff members enjoy a number of benefits, such as a wide range of training and education opportunities, 36 days of holiday leave (on an annual basis for a full-time job) supplemented by annual fixed bridge days, bicycle allowance and eco vouchers. Click here for a complete overview of all the staff benefits

How to apply

Send your CV, copy of your PhD diploma (if already in your possession) and a motivation letter to Tom.Bultreys@UGent.be, with email subject “Application BE-HYSTORE PD1”, before the submission deadline indicated above.

We do not accept late applications.

For more information about this vacancy, please contact Prof. Tom Bultreys (Tom.Bultreys@UGent.be) and prof. Nico Boon (Nico.Boon@UGent.be).