Post-doctoral position on geological porous media M/F

Job Description

Missions

At CNRS-ISTO : Microfluidic investigation of the impact of colloidal transport on two-phase flow in geological porous media

The missions are as follows:
- to study the parameters controlling the remobilization of fluids trapped by capillary action in the presence of colloidal suspensions in porous media;
- to precisely control and quantify the mechanisms involved at the pore scale.

The emergence of new process visualization technologies based on microfluidic approaches allows for high-resolution, real-time, in-situ observation of multiphase processes and particle transport within the pore space of a synthetic rock. These techniques, coupled with dedicated metrology, shed light on our understanding of pore clogging by particle aggregation and the dynamics of fluid phases in the porous medium.

Activity

The candidate will use microfluidic experiments to bring new insights into the complex interplay between colloid transport and deposition, and permeability reduction. The final objective is to better control the injection of colloidal particles towards target regions and mobilizes contaminants trapped by capillary forces.

Your Profil

Skills

You have a PhD with a major in Fluid Dynamics, Flow and Transport in Porous Media, Colloid and Interface Sciences. You have a preliminary experience in microfluidic experiments and you are familiar with metrology techniques (e.g. Particle Image Velocimetry). Knowledge of image processing techniques and Computational Fluid Dynamics (e.g. OpenFOAM, Ansys, COMSOL) is a plus.
The candidate will:
• Review the literature on theoretical and experiences of two-phase flow in porous media and pore-clogging by the transport of particles,
• Design and perform microfluidic experiments to investigate two-phase flow and the transport of fine particles in porous media,
• Analyse the results and propose new laws for particle attachment/detachment rates and permeability reduction.
• Upscale the processes to larger scales,
• Publish your results in high-impact journals and participate in international conferences,
• Participate actively to the Porous Media Research Group daily life.

To apply, send a CV, a cover letter, one or two recommendation letters.

Your Work Environment

The position is located at the Earth Sciences Institute of Orléans (ISTO) in France. ISTO is a joint research laboratory between CNRS, the University of Orléans, and BRGM located on the Geosciences campus of Orléans close to Paris, France. The Porous Media Research Group develops cutting-edge research and worldwide recognized expertise on multi-scale modelling and microfluidic experiments of multiphase flow and reactive transport in geological formations. Our objective is to decipher the mechanisms involved in the remediation of contaminated groundwater, in the underground storage, and in new energy vectors based on the use of the subsurface.

The COCONUT project (funded by the European Research Council, ERC Consolidator Grant) aims to understand how colloids (nanoparticles, viruses, bacteria, micro-nanoplastics, mineral particles, etc.) control multiphase flows (air-water or water-oil) in geological formations. The applications are numerous: remediation of aquifers polluted by non-aqueous phases (hydrocarbons, chlorinated solvents, etc.), estimation of the quantity of nanoplastics in soil, formation of reactive barriers to seal storage tanks or contain pollution, and more. The project is based on the principle that precise control of the mechanisms involved (reduction of interfacial tension forces and modification of streamlines by pore clogging) can only be achieved through a detailed understanding of the phenomena at the scale of a pore network.

Compensation and benefits

Compensation

3041,58 € gross monthly

Annual leave and RTT

44 jours

Remote Working practice and compensation

Pratique et indemnisation du TT

Transport

Prise en charge à 75% du coût et forfait mobilité durable jusqu’à 300€

About the offer

About the CNRS

The CNRS is a major player in fundamental research on a global scale. The CNRS is the only French organization active in all scientific fields. Its unique position as a multi-specialist allows it to bring together different disciplines to address the most important challenges of the contemporary world, in connection with the actors of change.

CNRS

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