In the frame of the research and training Marie Sklodwoska-Curie Actions of the European Community, Geosciences Montpellier invites applications of highly motivated individuals for an Early Stage Researcher (PhD) position starting before or on 1 January 2017 Quantifying the role of coupled solution transfer and frictional/brittle processes in controlling the rheological, transport and containment properties of rocksalt Supervisors: Collaborations:

C.J. Spiers, S.J.T. Hangx (Utrecht University, NL). N. Brantut, T.M. Mitchell, P.G. Meredith (University College London) Marinus den Hartogh (AkzoNobel Industrial Chemicals, NL)

The aim of this likely 4-year PhD project is to develop quantitative, mechanism-based models describing the rheological behaviour, transport properties and containment capacity of rocksalt in the regime where fluid-assisted microcracking and crack healing/sealing compete, and where pressure solution and sintering (neck growth) effects compete with frictional granular flow. The approach adopted will involve experimental deformation, permeametry and electrical conductivity work, as well as comparison of the data produced with microphysical theory. The results obtained will be directly relevant to predicting the stability and containment capacity of solution-mined energy-storage caverns in rocksalt, the flow properties of granular salt products and the behaviour of crustal rock and fault systems under hydrothermal and geothermal conditions. The project is already funded for 2 years by the ITN CREEP programme with an excellent chance of obtaining 2 years of additional funding from complementary sources, thus constituting a 4-year PhD position. It includes a research visit to University College London to work on acoustic monitoring of microcrack damage during creep of wet rocksalt, plus a 3-6 months internship in AkzoNobel’s salt mining division. Requirements:  Applicants must not have resided or carried out their main activity in the Netherlands for more than 12 months in the 3 years immediately prior to their recruitment.  Applicants must be in the first four years of their research career and not have a PhD degree. Time is measured from the date of award of the Master degree (official maternity/paternity leave excluded).  Applicants must hold a Master degree in geosciences, physics, or materials science, and must have good quantitative and programming skills as well as an interest in chemistry.  Applicants must have experience of Earth materials research, ideally in rock or materials mechanics or in rock physics  Applicants must have excellent written and spoken English skills and be highly motivated to work in an international team. Employment conditions:  Participation in the EU-funded innovative training network CREEP, which encompasses 16 Ph.D. projects in 10 major research groups in geodynamics in Europe (Montpellier, Bristol, Durham, UCL, Utrecht, ETH Zurich, FAST-Orsay, Roma3, Mainz, Munster) and 11 private- and public sector partners (Schlumberger, Schott, APERAM, AkzoNobel, MP Strumenti, Reykjavik Geothermal, IGEM, GMuG, Geospatial Research, KNMI).  A full-time research position for two years with a high chance of extension to four years in total (2 years of EU funding, with 2 further years of funding derived from other sources). Initial contract is for one year, which is extended to the full term depending on satisfactory performance and available funds. Employment conditions are based on the Collective Labour Agreement of the Dutch Universities. The gross monthly salary starts at € 2,191.-- in the first year and increases to € 2,801.-- in the anticipated fourth year, and is supplemented by a holiday allowance of 8% per year and a year-end bonus of 8.3% per year.  Guaranteed funding for the research project and training activities.  A personalized training program, mutually agreed on recruitment, which will reflect the candidate's training needs and career objectives. Application Procedure  Candidates should apply via our online application procedure (http://www.itn-creep.eu). Once the application is received, they will receive an email asking for their CV and academic credentials (mark sheets and degree statements).  Deadline for applications: 1 Oct 2016 (position must start as soon as possible and before/on 1 January 2017) For additional information please contact [email protected] or [email protected] Online application forms as well as a complete description of all 16 CREEP PhD positions and the associated training program can be found at http://www.itn-creep.eu