Three Postdoctoral Positions at the Dublin Institute for Advanced Studies – Geothermal Energy Research

The Dublin Institute for Advanced Studies invites applications for three 2-year postdoctoral positions at the Geophysics Section, DIAS aimed at a better understanding of deep geothermal energy potential on the island of Ireland and its potential as a future economic energy source. The positions are an integral part of the project “De-risking Ireland’s Geothermal Energy Potential” (DIG). The project will integrate multi-disciplinary, multi-scale geophysical, geological, and geochemical data by means of joint analysis, interpretation, modelling and inversion.

Position 1: In this position the successful candidate will co-lead the petrochemical and physical aspects of the research across different scales of investigation. The roles are (1) Improve new-preliminary models of Ireland’s thermal properties, using available information. The researcher will be required to engage in and inform this aspect, which is integral to the overall approach of the research team. (2) The researcher will primarily focus on recently recognised thermo-geophysical anomalies. This requires a good foundation and knowledge of petrology, petrophysics and geochemistry and a good familiarity with seismic methods and potential field techniques, together with an interest in the regional geo-dynamic development of Ireland and Britain. (3) The researcher will also assist in the selection of more specific targets for more detailed investigation using passive state-of-the-art electromagnetic and seismic methods.

Salary: €37,874 – €45,041, depending on experience and qualifications. Start date: March 2021

Qualifications: a PhD in geo-chemistry/petrology with a strong knowledge of petrophysics applied to geothermal research is required.

Position 2: The goal of this postdoctoral position is to identify and assess the available low-enthalpy geothermal resources within the Munster Basin, south Ireland using electromagnetic methods, principally magnetotellurics. The tasks of the successful candidate will include magnetotelluric data acquisition, time series processing, analysis, and inversion of the data as well as its integration with other geophysical methods (i.e., passive seismics), complemented by DIG structural geology and hydrochemistry programme.

Salary: €37,874 – €45,041, depending on experience and qualifications. Start date: March 2021

Qualifications: a PhD in geophysics or related field is required. Substantial computing and programming experience are essential. A publication record commensurate with career stage is expected. Experience in the magnetotelluric data acquisition, analysis and imaging is desirable. Previous experience in geothermal energy research, although beneficial, is not essential.

Position 3: The goal of this postdoctoral position is to undertake shallow crustal imagery over a localised area (the Munster basin) using passive seismic methods. The focus will be on the application of new methodology, such as using railway train noise as a seismic source in an effort to extract both surface and body-wave data for imagery (passive surface wave dispersion and passive reflections seismics respectively). Other methods such as receiver functions will also be considered.

Salary: €37,874 – €45,041, depending on experience and qualifications. Start date: March 2021

Qualifications: a PhD in seismology. Experience in the use of passive noise will be an advantage.

To apply: please e-mail a cover letter outlining the research interests, motivation and suitability for the position and a full CV with the names and contact details of 3 academic referees to geo_recruitment@cp.dias.ie with “DIG Postdoctoral Position (please specify the position number)” in the subject line.

Deadline for applications is February 4^th, 2021. The School may at its discretion extend the closing date (candidates who have applied before the date should be told if the date ends up being extended). Considerationsof the applications will continue until the positions are successfully filled. For additional information on the project, please contact Duygu Kiyan (duygu@cp.dias.ie).

DIAS is committed to gender balance, diversity, and inclusion.

This project is funded by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland under the SEAI Research, Development & Demonstration Funding Programme 2019 (grant number 19/RDD/522) and by the Geological Survey Ireland.