Job offer

Organisation/Company Bureau de Recherches Géologiques et Minières (BRGM) Research Field Geosciences » Geology Geosciences » Other Computer science » Modelling tools Researcher Profile First Stage Researcher (R1) Positions PhD Positions Application Deadline 30 Apr 2026 - 17:00 (Europe/Paris) Country France Type of Contract Temporary Job Status Full-time Hours Per Week 35 Offer Starting Date 1 Sep 2026 Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme? Horizon Europe - MSCA Marie Curie Grant Agreement Number Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure? No

Offer Description

• Position Overview

PhD Position Title: Enhanced mobilization of CRM from rocks and minerals during geothermal operations.

Doctoral Candidate (DC) Number: 08

Work Package Number: 3

Research Field(s) (EURAXESS classification): Geosciences; Environmental science => Water science; Computer science => Modelling tools

Host Institution (full legal name): BRGM - French Geological Survey

Department / Research Group: Energy Division

Country: FRANCE

Research activities Start Date (expected): September 1st 2026

Duration: 36 months

Working Hours: 35 hours/week

MiningBrines ( M ultidisciplinary I ntegration and N etworking for IN creased sustainability and multi-resources valorization of G eothermal Brines ) offers an innovative doctoral training program to address Europe's strategic need for sustainable access to critical raw materials (CRM), energy gases (EG) and renewable energies.

19 Doctoral Candidates (DCs) will receive interdisciplinary training in geosciences (Work Packages 2 and 3), biogeochemistry (Work Package 4), artificial intelligence (AI) (Work Package 5), and socio-economic analysis (Work Package 6), equipping them with advanced skills in reservoir modeling, machine learning, advanced oxidation processes (AOP), and microbial enhanced recovery. DCs will also develop intuitive fluid chemistry modeling workflows and innovative multi-criteria intelligent decision support tools, preparing them to drive innovation in geothermal brine mining while collaborating with academic and industrial partners on practical solutions.

MiningBrines introduces novel techniques to maximize geothermal multi-resource recovery while minimizing environmental impact. Key innovations include microbial-driven CRM recovery, customized AOP workflows, scalable AI models, and decision support tools that consider technological, economic, and societal aspects. These advances aim to reduce the environmental footprint of resource extraction and align with the sustainability goals of the EU Green Deal.

MiningBrines supports the EU's Critical Raw Materials Act by combining CRM and EG recovery with renewable energy production and circular economy principles, reducing Europe's import dependency and strengthening resilience. In addition, MiningBrines emphasizes collaborative education to meet the growing demand for skilled professionals capable of transforming geothermal multi-resources into a key driver of Europe's green transition.

The impact of MiningBrines goes beyond scientific advances, fostering a skilled workforce for academic and industrial sectors, while establishing Europe as a global leader in sustainable resource management.

MiningBrines promotes public awareness of the multiple benefits of geothermal energy, setting a standard for green industrial practices and long-term strategic autonomy.

• DC08 Research Project Description

Objectives

The objective of this PhD project is to address the interactions between geothermal fluids and reservoir rocks in order to better understand the mechanisms controlling the release of critical raw materials (CRMs) into geothermal brines. The thesis is based on a coupled approach combining laboratory experiments and numerical modelling to investigate fluid–rock interaction processes under geothermal conditions. Beyond fundamental process understanding, the project aims to develop technical solutions to enhance the release of CRMs into geothermal reservoirs, exploring the combined role of chemical agents and microorganisms adapted to reservoir pressure and temperature conditions.

A central objective is to quantify the geological, physical, chemical, and biological processes operating at different spatial and temporal scales that influence fluid flow paths and reservoir structure. Particular attention will be given to how extraction and reinjection of fluids and gases modify physico-chemical conditions, thereby altering hydraulic, chemical, and mechanical reservoir properties. The project seeks to clarify how these variations may trigger fault reactivation and induced seismicity, ultimately affecting reservoir lifetime and economic performance.

Methods

The research will adopt an integrated experimental and modelling strategy. Laboratory experiments will be conducted to characterise fluid–rock interactions under controlled pressure and temperature conditions representative of geothermal reservoirs. These experiments will focus on determining in situ mobilisation kinetics of CRMs, reaction pathways responsible for element release from source rocks, and enrichment processes leading to CRM-bearing brines. Particular emphasis will be placed on quantifying dissolution rates, reaction mechanisms, and the influence of chemical additives and biologically mediated processes on mobilisation efficiency.

Complementary investigations will address the coupling between thermal, hydraulic, mechanical, and chemical (THMC) processes. Experimental results will provide quantitative constraints on how small-scale (bio)chemical reactions modify hydraulic properties, mechanical strength, and permeability evolution. These datasets will serve to parameterise and refine reservoir simulation tools.

Numerical modelling will be employed to simulate coupled geological, physical, chemical, and biological processes at reservoir scale. The models will aim to improve the deterministic representation of parameter changes induced by small-scale reactions and to bridge the gap between laboratory-derived kinetics and field-scale fluid circulation. Particular focus will be placed on resolving CRM enrichment pathways in brines and on evaluating how operational scenarios involving fluid extraction and reinjection influence flow paths, reservoir structure, and potential fault reactivation.

Expected Results

The project is expected to deliver quantitative constraints on CRM mobilisation kinetics and enrichment pathways under geothermal reservoir conditions. It will improve understanding of the coupled geological, physical, chemical, and biological processes governing fluid circulation and reservoir evolution.

By integrating laboratory-derived reaction kinetics into coupled reservoir simulations, the research will enhance predictive capabilities regarding hydraulic and mechanical parameter evolution during geothermal exploitation. The results will contribute to the development of operational strategies for efficient and sustainable CRM mobilisation in geothermal systems, while accounting for induced seismicity risks and long-term reservoir performance.

• Supervisory Team

Main Supervisor (host institution): Dr. Laurent ANDRE, BRGM

Co-supervisor(s): Dr. Argyro Spinthaki / KURITA; Dr. Simona Regenspurg / GFZ; Dr. Saskia Bindschedler / UNINE; Dr. Juliane Kummerow / GFZ

• Planned Secondments (institution, country, duration)

Secondment one at KURITA (Germany, A. Spinthaki, M19-M24): setup and validation of the formulations of chemical agents able to enhance CRM release at reservoir conditions.

Secondment two at GFZ (Germany, S. Regenspurg, M27-M29): packed column experiments to test the efficiency of the additives according to flow conditions.

Secondment three at UNINE (Germany, S. Bindschedler, M33-M35): to select and characterize microbial strains compatible with geothermal (P,T) reservoirs conditions; batch experiments to check their potential additional role in CRM release.

• Training and Network Environment

The successful candidate will be part of the MiningBrines Marie Skłodowska-Curie Doctoral Network, a European training program bringing together universities, research institutes, and industry partners.

Doctoral candidates will benefit from:

• Joint network-wide training schools and workshops
• International research secondments
• Access to state-of-the-art facilities
• An interdisciplinary and international research environment

Where to apply

E-mail

Requirements

Research Field Geosciences » Geology Education Level Master Degree or equivalent

Research Field Computer science » Modelling tools Education Level Master Degree or equivalent

Research Field Chemistry » Analytical chemistry Education Level Master Degree or equivalent

Skills/Qualifications

Required Qualifications:

• Strong motivation for interdisciplinary research
• Excellent command of spoken and written English (mandatory)
• Background in geochemistry and hydrologeology, geology, environmental sciences would be beneficial.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Strong motivation to pursue a PhD degree.
• Strong interest in interdisciplinary scientific work.

Research Field Geosciences » GeologyComputer science » Modelling toolsChemistry » Analytical chemistry

Additional Information

• Salary: MSCA living allowance + mobility allowance (+ family allowance if applicable), adjusted by country correction coefficient
• Social security: Full coverage according to national regulations
• Funding is provided for research, training and networking activities

Applicants must comply with the MSCA eligibility criteria:

Researchers funded by Doctoral Networks

• must not have a doctoral degree at the date of their recruitment
• can be of any nationality
• should be enrolled in a doctoral program during the project
• should comply with the mobility rules: in general, they must not have resided or carried out their main activity (work, studies, etc.) in the country of the recruiting organization for more than 12 months in the 36 months immediately before their recruitment date

1st round of selection

Candidates will register their application online and send:

• their CV
• a letter of application
• a 1-page critical summary of an article of their choice
• the name of two contact persons (former teachers or supervisors, who are asked to send a support letter)
• academic credentials to a dedicated email address.

2nd round of selection

The 3 best candidates for a position will be interviewed by videoconference.

During the interview, additional scientific and soft skills competences will be evaluated.

Recruitment follows MSCA principles of transparency, merit-based evaluation, and equal opportunities. State security requirements are out of the MiningBrines Consortium hands.

This project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon Europe under grant agreement No.

This project has received funding from the Swiss State Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation (SERI)

Work Location(s)

Number of offers available 1 Company/Institute Bureau de Recherches Géologiques et Minières (BRGM) Country France Geofield

Number of offers available 1 Company/Institute Kurita Europe GmbH Country Germany Geofield

Number of offers available 1 Company/Institute Helmholtz Zentrum Potsdam Deutsches Geoforschungszentrum (GFZ) Country Germany Geofield