Researcher Fractured Rock Hydrogeology and Groundwater Modelling

Researcher Fractured Rock Hydrogeology and Groundwater Modelling

Category: Academic Staff & Researchers

1 - Working at the VUB

For more than 50 years, the Vrije Universiteit Brussel has stood for freedom, equality and solidarity, and this is very much alive on our campuses among students and staff alike.

At the VUB, you will find a diverse collection of personalities: innovators pur sang, but above all people who are 100% their authentic selves. With some 4,000 employees, we are the largest Dutch-speaking employer, in the private sector, in Brussels; an international city with which we are only too happy to connect and where (around) our 4 campuses are located.

Add to this our principle of free research - in which self-reflection, a critical attitude and an open, creative mind around scientific and social issues are central - and you have a university that is fundamentally groundbreaking and pioneering in education and research. In short: the VUB all over again.

Moreover, the VUB is a member of EUTOPIA, an alliance of like-minded European universities, all ready to reinvent themselves.

The Faculty of Engineering, Department Water and Climate, research group Water & Climate, is looking for a predoctoral researcher.

More concretely your work package contains:

• This research project is linked to the Einstein Telescope, a proposed underground infrastructure to host Europe's most advanced observatory for gravitational waves (https://www.einsteintelescope-emr.eu). In order to better quantify potential groundwater inflows and assess hydrological impacts of this proposed 250-300 m deep underground infrastructure, you will characterize heterogeneity of hydraulic conductivity, build local groundwater flow models and conduct uncertainty and heterogeneity analysis of groundwater flow models. You will also investigate mitigating measures such as reducing inflow and re-using the pumped groundwater.
• You will write and contribute to reports and scientific papers.
• You will work closely with geologists, engineers and groundwater modellers from other institutions.
• You will present your work at workshops and conferences.

For this function, our Brussels Humanities, Sciences & Engineering Campus (Elsene) will serve as your home base.

3 - Profile

What do we expect from you?

You have a master or PhD degree in Civil Engineering, Geotechnical Engineering, Geology, Hydrogeology, Water Resources Engineering, Hydrology or Earth Sciences or a diploma recognized as equivalent by competent university authorities.

• You have experience in hydrogeology, groundwater science and groundwater modelling.
• You have knowledge about hard rock or fractured rock hydrogeology.
• You are proficient in 3D numerical groundwater flow modelling in Modflow and/or FEFLOW, especially in complex geological settings and fractured aquifers.
• You express yourself fluently in English. Knowledge of Dutch, French or German is an added value.
• You are a team player and open to collaborate with researchers from VUB and other organisations.
• Knowledge on geotechnical engineering and tunneling is an added value.
• Experience with geostatistics, stochastic modelling or uncertainty assessment of groundwater models is an added value.
• Experience with Leapfrog geological modelling is an added value.
• Knowledge about geology in Belgium, Germany and the Netherlands is an added value.

The VUB wants to be a reflection of the society where everyone's talent is valued, regardless of gender, age, religion, skin color, migration background, disability and neurodiversity.

4 - Offer

Are you going to be our new colleague?

You’ll be offered a contract, for an assignment of 1 FTE, for 24 months (extendable, on condition of the positive evaluation of the research activities), with planned starting date 01/03/2025.

You’ll receive a salary linked to one of the scales set by the government.

At the VUB, you’re guaranteed an open, involved and diverse workplace where you are offered opportunities to (further) build on your career.

As well as this, you will also enjoy various other benefits:

• Extensive homeworking options, a telework allowance of 50 euros per month OR an internet fee of 20 euros per month;
• An open and informal working environment where attention is paid to work-life balance, and exceptional holiday arrangements with 35 days of leave (based on a full-time contract), closure between Christmas and New Year and 3 extra leave days;
• Cost-free hospitalisation insurance;
• Full reimbursement of your home-to-work commute with public transport according to VUB policy, and/or compensation if you come by bike;
• A wide selection of meals in our campus restaurants at attractive prices;
• Excellent and affordable facilities for sport and exercise, a range of discounts via Benefits@Work (in all kinds of shops, on flights, in petrol stations, amusement parks...) and Ecocheques;
• Nursery near campus, discount on holiday camps;
• The space to form your job content and to continuously learn through our VUB learning platforms and training courses;
• And finally: great colleagues with a healthy drive.

5 - Interested?

Is this the job you’ve been dreaming of?

Then apply, at the latest on 06/02/2025, via jobs.vub.be, and upload the following documents:

• your CV;
• your diploma (not applicable for VUB alumni).

Do you have questions about the job content? Contact Marijke Huysmans at marijke.huysmans@vub.be or on +32 2 629 30 39.

Would you like to know what it’s like to work at the VUB? Go to jobs.vub.be, and find all there is to know about our campuses, benefits, strategic goals and your future colleagues.

Would you like more information about EUTOPIA? Go to eutopia-university.eu, and read more about the role of the VUB in the development of the EUTOPIA alliance.

DO YOU HAVE ANY FURTHER QUESTIONS ABOUT THIS VACANCY?

You can contact the person mentioned in the job description.