The department of Earth Sciences is seeking a highly motivated and skilled postdoc to develop our new Tribo-Indentation lab. This opportunity is part of the NWO-funded EPOS-eNLarge infrastructure consortium, where Utrecht University will integrate a state-of-the-art Hysitron TI990 Tribo-Indenter into the Multi-Scale Imaging and Tomography (MINT) Facility.

Your job
The state-of-the-art Hysitron TI990 offers unmatched precision, rate of throughput, and testing parameterisation that will situate the lab the forefront of material testing applied to earth materials. Research themes may include sustainable subsurface use, geothermal energy, and subsurface storage integrity. We encourage you to engage in personal research and development, supported by a leading institution and consortium.

Your key responsibilities will be:

• Installation and Development: Oversee installation and development of the Hysitron TI990 TriboIndenter, ensuring it meets the highest operational standards.
• Application and Research: Apply the TI990 in diverse research areas, including compaction and induced seismicity in gas and geothermal reservoirs, and the deformation behaviour and transport properties of salt rock. Capabilities include compression, friction, and wear tests at elevated temperatures (room temperature up to 800 °C) and dynamic mode testing.
• User Support: Liaise with external users as part of the transnational access programme, assisting in data collection, processing, and interpretation of TI990 and related microscopy data.
• Personal Research: Utilise the TI990 and the associated electron microscopy facilities in MINT for personal research and professional development, with opportunities for publication and collaboration.

Following initial phases of installation and development, we envision that you will spend ~75% of your time on applied research and user support to facilitate transnational access, and ~25% on personal research.

We are looking for a candidate who has proven experience with mechanical testing and nano-indentation techniques, as well as proven experience with electron microscopy for post-measurement imaging and sample characterisation. You must have successfully completed a PhD programme in Earth Sciences, Materials Science, Engineering or a related discipline by the time the position starts.

Moreover, you are able to demonstrate that you have:

• strong written and verbal English language skills;
• a strong background in data analysis and interpretation;
• excellent communication and organisational skills;
• the ability to work independently and as part of a collaborative team.

We offer:

• a position initially for one year, with an extension to three years in total upon a successful assessment in the first year;
• a gross monthly salary between €3,858 and €4,492 in the case of full-time employment (salary scale 10.3-10.7 under the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities (CAO NU));
• 8% holiday pay and 8.3% year-end bonus;
• a pension scheme, partially paid parental leave and flexible terms of employment based on the CAO NU.

In addition to the terms of employment laid down in the CAO NU, Utrecht University has a number of schemes and facilities of its own for employees. This includes schemes facilitating professional development, leave schemes and schemes for sports and cultural activities, as well as discounts on software and other IT products. We also offer access to additional employee benefits through our Terms of Employment Options Model. In this way, we encourage our employees to continue to invest in their growth. For more information, please visit Working at Utrecht University.

Universiteit Utrecht

A better future for everyone. This ambition motivates our scientists in executing their leading research and inspiring teaching. At Utrecht University, the various disciplines collaborate intensively towards major strategic themes. Our focus is on Dynamics of Youth, Institutions for Open Societies, Life Sciences and Pathways to Sustainability. Sharing science, shaping tomorrow.

Utrecht University’s Faculty of Geosciences studies the Earth: from the Earth’s core to its surface, including man’s spatial and material utilisation of the Earth – always with a focus on sustainability and innovation. With 3,400 students (BSc and MSc) and 720 staff, the faculty is a strong and challenging organisation. The Faculty of Geosciences is organised in four Departments: Earth Sciences, Human Geography & Spatial Planning, Physical Geography, and Sustainable Development.

The department of Earth Sciences conducts teaching and research across the full range of the solid Earth and environmental Earth sciences, with activities in almost all areas of geology, geochemistry, geophysics, biogeology and hydrogeology. The department hosts a highly international tenured staff of over 50 scientists and more than 110 PhD candidates and postdoctoral researchers. Our research programme spans four intertwined themes: Climate & Life, Earth interior, Earth materials, and Environmental Earth Sciences. We house or have access to a wide variety of world-class laboratories.