PhD Position in Geothermal Energy and Magma-Hydrothermal Systems

6 Mar 2025
Job Information

Organisation/Company

University of Iceland

Department

Faculty of Earth Sciences, School of Engineering and Natural Sciences

Research Field

Geosciences

Researcher Profile

First Stage Researcher (R1)

Positions

PhD Positions

Country

Iceland

Application Deadline

31 Mar 2025 - 23:59 (Atlantic/Reykjavik)

Type of Contract

Temporary

Job Status

Part-time

Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme?

Not funded by a EU programme

Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure?

No

Offer Description

A PhD position in geothermal energy, volcanology, and numerical modeling is open for applications at the Faculty of Earth Sciences, School of Engineering and Natural Sciences, University of Iceland. The PhD candidate will work on a doctoral project as part of the HYCOMA research project: The Role of Geothermal Fluids in Cooling of Intrusions, which is funded by the Icelandic Research Fund Rannís for three years.

Main tasks

The PhD candidate will work with advanced computational models (CSMP++) to: 

• Investigate the effects of key geological variables, such as rock permeability, magma flux, intrusion depth, and fluid composition, on hydrothermal cooling dynamics in continental and oceanic crust.
• Quantify time-dependent heat fluxes from magmatic intrusions and the evolution of magma crystallinity in response to hydrothermal cooling.
• Model dynamic geological processes, including caldera collapse, and their influence on hydrothermal cooling processes.

The research will leverage unique data from the Krafla geothermal system, where a deep well encountered the magma-hydrothermal interface, making this a rare and exciting opportunity for innovative and impactful research.

The PhD student will be supervised by Dr. Samuel Warren Scott and Prof. Magnús Tumi Guðmundsson at the Institute of Earth Sciences, University of Iceland, and work closely with a multidisciplinary team of leading international experts in geothermal energy, volcanology, and numerical modeling from institutions such as GFZ German Research Centre for Geosciences, the Icelandic Meterological Office, and Landsvirkjun (Iceland¿s National Power Company).

The position includes opportunities for international collaboration and short research stays abroad, as well as fieldwork at the Krafla geothermal field.

Where to apply

Website

https://radningarkerfi.orri.is/?s=41055

Requirements

Research Field

All

Education Level

Master Degree or equivalent

Skills/Qualifications

• A Master's degree in geosciences, engineering, physics, or a related field
• Experience in processing and interpreting numerical data, including the use of numerical modeling
• Programming skills in Python, C++, or a similar language
• Knowledge in geothermal systems, fluid flow, and heat transfer
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English

Languages

ENGLISH

Level

Excellent

Additional Information
Additional comments

Wages according to the current collective agreement by the Minister of Finance and Economic Affairs and Félag háskólakennara.
 

Applications should include:

• A cover letter describing your motivation, research interests, and relevant experience
• A detailed CV, including academic achievements and programming skills
• Academic transcripts (Bachelor's and Master's degrees)
• Names of two referees and information on whether and how they can be contacted

The appointment is conditional on the applicant submitting a formal application for PhD studentship at the Faculty of Earth and Sciences at the University of Iceland and that the application is approved by the faculty.

The PhD program is expected to begin in the fall of 2025, but some flexibility is possible for the right candidate.

All applications will be answered, and applicants will be informed about the appointment when a decision has been made. Applications are valid in the system for 6 months after the application deadline. 

Appointments to positions at the University of Iceland are made in consideration of the Equal Action Policy of the University of Iceland .

The University of Iceland has a special Language Policy.

The University of Iceland is a thriving knowledge society and a diverse and vibrant workplace. Academic freedom, professionalism and equality are the values of the university, and great emphasis is placed on flexibility and staff participation in the development of studies and research. The School of Engineering and Natural Sciences employs around 390 people in research and teaching in the fields of engineering and natural sciences. The working environment is international, with a quarter of both staff and postgraduate students in the department being foreign, and this proportion is constantly increasing. The department has around 2000 students, around a quarter of whom are postgraduate students. The School of Engineering and Natural Sciences prides itself on its diversity and reform-oriented environment where knowledge acquisition and dissemination are paramount.

 

Job percentage: 70-100%

Application deadline until end of: 31.03.2025

More info provided by

Magnús Tumi Guðmundsson, Prófessor - mtg@hi.is -
Samuel Warren Scott, Sérfræðingur - samuels@hi.is -

Apply

Work Location(s)

Number of offers available

1

Company/Institute

University of Iceland

Country

Iceland

Geofield

Contact

City

Reykjavík

Website

http://www.hi.is

Street

Sæmundargata 6

Postal Code

101

E-Mail

mtg@hi.is
samuels@hi.is

STATUS: EXPIRED

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