Early Stage Researcher position available within a Marie Curie Initial Training
Network Flow in Transforming Porous Media (FLOWTRANS)

A Marie Curie Fellowship (Early Stage Researcher), concurrent with registration for a doctoral degree (Ph.D.), will be available at the Institut des Sciences de la Terre (ISTerre), University of Grenoble, France as part of the Marie Curie Integrated Training Network (ITN) "Flow in Transforming Porous Media".

The research themes of this ITN relate to the characterization and the understanding of rock deformation processes, fluid flow and chemical reaction within rocks and granular media. This has become an ever-increasing problem in Earth Sciences, Physics, and in many industrial applications, including natural hazards (earthquakes, landslides, volcanoes), CO₂ geological sequestration, hydrocarbon migration, ore deposit development, and radioactive waste disposal. One of the main problems is the understanding of flows in transforming porous media, where the rocks and fluid pathways evolve spatially and temporally, for example due to chemical interactions with the flow, or due to compaction of the solid matrix. The dynamic feedbacks between flow, destruction of permeability due to compaction or local precipitation, creep of the rock, and creation of permeability due to dissolution, chemical reaction or fracturing, makes understanding of such complex systems a challenge.

The specific research topic based in Grenoble is somewhat flexible but will focus on:

Interplay between creep/aseismic deformation, earthquakes and fluids in fault zones mechanical properties, with a special emphasis on the North Anatolian fault zone

Understanding aseismic deformation along several continental active faults represents a key challenge as recent discoveries have demonstrated the importance in the earthquake cycle of slow and silent sliding events in the Earth's upper crust. These creep processes dissipate part of the elastic energy stored in the crust by tectonic forces. The aim of the study is to identify the mechanisms of creep and to integrate them in the modeling of active faults. In this project, creep processes will be identified in and around the North Anatolian Fault relying on the mapping of fault segments at different scales, and the analysis of the microstructures of the fault zone to identify the mechanisms of slow deformation, some of which involving fluid-rock interactions. The interplay between mass transfer activating effects (fracturing) and slowing down effects (sealing) will be characterized. Complementary study might use satellite imaging and radar interferometry (InSAR), and recent inversion algorithms that allow following the creep at high spatial and temporal resolution. These geodetic data would be jointly analyzed with existing microseismic data and past earthquake history of the fault. More generally, these data will be used in the Network to ultimately propose a model of creep in reactive fault systems in the upper crust.

The project will be mainly tectonophysics studies. The Marie Curie Fellow will be trained in structural geology and in the kinematic and rheology of the upper crust. An interest in numerical modeling of mechanical processes, data processing and inversion techniques would also be an advantage.

The normal eligibility requirements of Marie Curie Fellowships apply. Researchers may be any nationality but must not have resided in France for more than 12 months in the 3 years immediately prior to date of selection by the host institution. The applicant must also satisfy the requirements to register as a doctoral student at the University of Grenoble, which generally involves holding an appropriate Diploma or Master degree. Marie Curie Fellowships have substantial benefits, both in salary and in mobility and allowances. The duration of the Fellowship is 36 months.

Applications are welcome from students with any relevant earth science, applied physics, engineering or materials science background. The applicant should have a good command of both written and spoken English.

Prospective applicants should contact: Prof. François Renard, Jean-Pierre Gratier and Cécile Lasserre. Starting date is the first of July 2013 (however, there is some flexibility). Please apply before 1^st April 2013 to francois.renard@ujf-grenoble.fr with a letter of intent, a CV and indicating your grades as well as the names and email addresses of two referees.