PhD Position: Optimization of shut-in strategies to reduce induced seismicity

Job description

The Chair of Engineering Geology and the BedrettoLab at ETH Zurich invite applications for a PhD position within a research project on poroelastic effects and induced seismicity in geothermal systems. The position focuses on post-shut-in seismicity and the design of safer operational protocols. Induced seismicity in geothermal systems often continues after injection or production is stopped, a phenomenon known as post-shut-in or trailing seismicity. In many cases, the largest seismic events occur after shut-in, posing challenges for hazard mitigation and operational safety. Despite extensive modelling efforts, the governing mechanisms are still not fully understood, and field observations of pressure and deformation during shut-in, that may improve our process understanding, are rare. This project exploits the unique monitoring capabilities of the Bedretto Underground Laboratory to investigate these processes and to develop experimentally validated guidelines for safer shut-in strategies.

• Investigate pressure, deformation, and seismicity data from hydraulic stimulation experiments to derive conceptual models of post-shut-in processes
• Develop hydromechanical models to reproduce observed shut-in behaviour and test competing hypotheses (e.g., pressure diffusion vs. poroelastic effects)
• Develop/apply earthquake source physics models to understand induced seismicity processe
• Design and execute controlled hydraulic stimulation and production experiments with different shut-in protocols
• Quantify how different shut-in strategies influence seismicity rates and magnitudes
• Derive recommendations for optimized shut-in procedures to minimize induced seismic hazard
• Publish results, present at conferences, and contribute to project reporting

Profile

• MSc degree in Engineering Geology, Geophysics, Seismology, Earth Sciences, Physics, Engineering, or a related field
• Interest in induced seismicity, geomechanics, and field experiments
• Strong quantitative and analytical skills
• Interest in learning complex numerical modelling tools
• Programming skills (Python and/or matlab required)
• Willingness to participate in underground field campaigns
• Ability to work in an interdisciplinary and collaborative environment
• Strong communication skills in English (German and/or French is a plus)

We offer

• A fully funded PhD position (up to 4 years)
• Employment according to ETH Zurich regulations
• Access to the Bedretto Underground Laboratory
• A collaborative environment bridging research, field experiments, and real-world applications
• Opportunities for publications and international conference participation

Supervision and Environment

The PhD student will be hosted at the Chair of Engineering Geology at ETH Zurich and will closely collaborate with a multidisciplinary research teams of the Swiss Seismological Service and the BedrettoLab.