We are offering one fully-funded, 4-year PhD position in the Laboratory of Experimental Rock Mechanics at the Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale of Lausanne (EPFL), Switzerland.

PhD Project: Earthquakes mechanics at the Brittle to Ductile transition. We will experimentally study earthquake mechanics at conditions representative of the brittle to ductile transition in the earth curst, i.e confining pressure up to 400 MPa and temperature up to 1200°C.  We will use a recently developed high temperature gas medium triaxial press.  Experiments will be coupled with in-situ seismic waves measurements, microstructural analysis, and modelling of the small scale physical processes.  

Main duties and responsibilities include:

• Carrying out research activities related to rock mechanics under crustal conditions

• Experiment design and execution

• Analysing and interpreting experimental results

• Developing frictional and rheological laws

• Writing scientific articles for publication in peer-reveiwed journals

• Participating in laboratory teaching activities, as needed (assisting with exercises, correcting exams, supervision undergraduate and Master research students)

• Presenting at international conferences

We are looking for candidates with:

• An MSc degree in the fields of:  Geophysics, rock mechanics, civil engineering, mining engineering, geology

• An interest in high-pressure and high-temperature experimental techniques, with application to renewable geo-resource, geo-hazard development

• Good communication skills and willingness to work as part of a team;

• Enthusiasm, scientific curiosity, willingness to learn, good organisational skills, rigor in experimental work, versatility

• Experience in rock mechanics, and physics is an asset

• Fluency in English, facility in French is an asset

• Proficiency with programming languages (Matlab, Pyton, Labview)

EPFL is an international and world-class engineering university. We offer:

• An opportunity to develop a scientific career in experimental rock mechanics and physics, which can be ported to careers in both academia and industry

• A world-class research and training environment with access to state-of-the-art research facilities

• Competitive remuneration

• A multi-cultural and stimulating work environment

• Affiliation with the School of Architecture, Civil and Environmental Engineering (ENAC)

Starting date: Starting September 2022, exact start date is negotiable

Term of employment: 1-year fixed-term contract (CDD), renewable for 4 years ( 54 KCHF/ year)

To be considered, your application should be submitted as one single pdf file and include:

• A letter of motivation

• A detailed CV, including the contact details for 2 referees

• Bachelor and Master grades

To submit your application and for any additional information, please contact : Prof. Marie Violay marie.violay@epfl.ch

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