Assistant Professor in Earth materials & mineral science

We are interested in earth materials/mineral science experts that can address traditional earth sciences topics, but are keen to use earth material science knowledge and expertise for modern societal challenges. For example, this could be research on the development or characterization of new materials using earth-science specific knowledge on texture, structure and composition of complex natural materials. We also welcome research on nature-inspired solutions to societal challenges, e.g., storage of radionuclides in high-field-strength-element bearing minerals, storage of gases in zeolites/hydrates, transformation of asbestos, weathering of concrete and monuments, energy storage.

Successful candidates are expected to develop an independent and versatile research line of which the societal side will preferably connect to our broad research themes of Sustainable Use of the Subsurface, Natural Hazards, and Planetary Health & (the) Environment. Ideally, the candidate complements staff department members in the larger domain of petrology, structural geology, experimental rock studies, mineral physics, rock magnetism, and mineral-water interface studies. Besides developing your own line of research, it would be of advantage to be interested in facilitating transnational access to our state-of-the-art laboratories for which we collaborate in two European programs.

You will play an essential role in education by inspiring students and developing innovative courses in the BSc and MSc programs of the Department of Earth Sciences, in basic geological courses and, in particular, in the specialized field of advanced mineralogy, as well as in supervising graduation projects. It may be regarded as a benefit, if you are able to contribute to the field teaching programs.

On average, the Department of Earth Sciences targets at equal contributions to educational activities and research for all its tenured academic staff, resulting in (up to) 40% BSc/MSc teaching duties, 40% research, and 20% of other activities (management tasks, committee work, etc.).

Junior Researcher: Techno-Economic Study of Underground Seasonal Thermal Storage

A challenge for decarbonizing heat systems is the size of the seasonal mismatch between demand for heat and heat generation from sustainable sources. Optimizing sustainable heat requires storing large amounts of heat to account for seasonal supply and demand fluctuations. Various technologies have been proposed for large-scale heat storage in geothermal reservoirs, and low-temperature storage is routinely applied.

The EU project PUSH-IT focuses on extending storage temperature ranges to high temperatures. It is to showcase the full-scale heat storage applications (up to 90°C) of 3 different technologies (mine, borehole, and aquifer thermal energy storage) in geothermal reservoirs. It develops, deploys, and tests heat storage for various configurations of heat sources, geological conditions, distribution systems, and market and legal conditions across Europe.

Within this project, the research team at Utrecht University (UU) has worked closely with the team at Delft University of Technology (TU Delft). Primary open-source tools have been developed to simulate the techno-economic performance of storage (subsurface, TU Delft) and local heating systems (surface, UU). The tools capture the dynamics of heat supply and demand, operational storage performance, techno-economic parameters, and uncertainties. The developed open-source tool will then be tested and validated with the project cases. The Junior Researcher position will focus on (further) tool development and the optimization of the levelized cost of heat and carbon-emission reduction costs.

The position is embedded in the Energy & Resources section at the Copernicus Institute of Sustainable Development at Utrecht University (under the supervision of Dr. Liu and Prof Kramer). You will also work closely with the scholars at TU-Delft and other project partners.

PhD: Upscaling pore-scale behaviour of clay-interfaces

Aquitards (low-permeability clay and peat layers) are among the protection layers for our groundwater systems. They seal and compartmentalise aquifers, protecting drinking-water reservoirs from contamination, separating different groundwater compositions, and confining heat in geothermal and energy-storage systems. In coastal urban areas, these shallow aquitards also interact with foundations, tunnels, and other critical infrastructure. As we increasingly rely on the subsurface to address societal challenges (from sustainable energy storage to climate adaptation), we are putting unprecedented pressure on these aquitards. Understanding their behaviour under changing environmental conditions is essential for sustainable subsurface utilisation.

What you will do
In this four-year study, you will develop an innovative, integrated approach that combines cutting-edge microfluidic experiments with advanced numerical modeling. Your work will enable upscaling from pore- to column-scale clay behaviour under real-world conditions relevant to sustainable subsurface use.

You will design and conduct microfluidic experiments to investigate clay behaviour under environmental stressors, including temperature fluctuations, pressure gradients, salinity changes, and wet-dry cycles. Using state-of-the-art monitoring techniques you will track changes in permeability, particle mobilisation (turbidity), and volume and visualise flow pathways in real time.

By integrating your experimental observations with numerical modeling, you will develop and test constitutive equations that capture fundamental clay behaviour, including the development of leakage paths, micro-fracturing, and internal erosion. Subsequent column-scale experiments and modeling will validate your pore-scale findings and enable extrapolation to field-scale conditions. Experiments will be conducted at the Porous Media Lab facilities, part of the Utrecht GeoLab.

Among the key research questions you will address are:

• How do changing environmental conditions weaken clay-substrate interfaces?
• How do pore-scale processes like swelling and shrinkage generate microfractures and facilitate clay particle movement?
• Can we develop robust upscaling approaches from pore to field scale that enable reliable predictions?

Finding answers to these fundamental questions will directly support decision-making in sustainable subsurface engineering, protect drinking-water resources, enhance subsurface energy storage, and ensure the long-term resilience of coastal and urban infrastructure.

Your development
A personalized training programme will be established, tailored to your training needs and career objectives. Approximately 20% of your time will be dedicated to professional development, including specialised courses and workshops, as well as teaching experience in the department's Bachelor's and Master's programmes. Through interactions with scientists, government, and industry partners, you will be exposed to diverse career paths in both academia and the applied sector, helping you shape your professional future.

Software Engineer

You will participate in a motivated and inspiring group of colleagues. In a dynamic, innovative and international work environment (including regular meetings abroad) and possibilities to follow courses and training sessions on relevant subjects.

Your tasks will include:

• Software development, especially maintenance and furthering some of CLARIN’s Java-based web applications like:
  
  • Virtual Language Observatory (vlo.clarin.eu)
  • Component Registry (clarin.eu/componentregistry)
  • Language Resource Switchboard (switchboard.clarin.eu)
• Packaging web applications to run smoothly in our server environment, using Docker and Docker Compose - in a DevOps style and in close collaboration with our System Administrators
• Interaction with users of the applications you are co-developing:
  
  • Feedback on issues and feature requests
  • Training and demonstrations, in collaboration with our Training Officer

These are the key tasks of the role. However, the successful candidate is expected to take on additional or extended tasks as required by the evolving needs of the organisation.

EU Project Finance Officer

This role is ideal for an experienced professional who brings expertise in project finance administration and is detail-oriented, highly organised, and motivated to strengthen financial project processes.

You will be part of a motivated and inspiring group of colleagues, working in a dynamic, innovative and international work environment (including regular meetings abroad), with possibilities to follow courses and training sessions on relevant subjects.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage the financial administration of EU-funded projects; handling budgeting, financial control, reporting including cost statements and supporting documentation, ensuring compliance with EU rules, liaising with partners and the European Commission, preparing for audits.
• Maintain and update key project financial overviews and documentation (e.g., expenditure overviews, timesheets) and support processes such as monitoring personnel costs, quarterly budget vs. actuals, and resource allocation.
• Preparing project financial reports, cost statements, and supporting documentation for internal/external audits, including the preparation of supporting documentation for periodic project financial reports and audits.
• Provide project details for quarterly financial statements, annual audit files, and statutory documents, ensuring accuracy and compliance of all financial reporting.
• Act as primary contact in project finance related matters for auditors, suppliers, customers, and internal stakeholders regarding finance and accounting matters.
• Manage the project bookkeeping and financial project records of the CLARIN ERIC, including overseeing debtors and creditors from invoicing through to payments.
• Contribute to maintaining and updating internal financial procedures and policies
• Support the Financial Officer in the preparation of annual budgets related to projects (project income and costs/person months).
• Manage administration and documentation of projects, including legal documentation (Grant agreements, Consortium agreements, and agreement with third parties) and internal and external project web pages.

These are the key responsibilities of the role. However, the successful candidate is expected to take on additional or extended tasks as required by the evolving needs of the organisation.

Relationships

• Reports directly to the Chief Operations Officer and the Board of Directors and works closely with the Finance Administration Team for finance activities (Finance Officer and the Events Officer).
• Works closely and liaisons with the other CLARIN central hub colleagues active in projects for project finance activities as well as with other relevant parties, such as project coordinator, affiliated entities, auditors, accountants and other relevant contacts.