PhD student position in Engineering Geology

Do you want to participate in developing a new field of research at our research group? Are you interested in translating and communicating geo-science and the benefits of geosystem services to urban planners and to society? As a PhD-student at our group working on the topic of subsurface planning, you will have the opportunity to broadly develop knowledge and skills related not only to the research topic, but also oral and written communication skills, pedagogy, and project management.

This project will be the first PhD-project in the more recently developed research field on subsurface planning. The project is mainly funded by the Geological Survey of Sweden (SGU) and will be carried out in cooperation with the survey.

Project description
This position is advertised as part of a research project at the research group Engineering Geology at the Division of Geology and Geotechnics, Department of Architecture and Civil Engineering at Chalmers University of Technology. The Division of Geology and Geotechnics covers several major areas of applied sciences, such as drinking water, hydrogeology, remediation of contaminated land, engineering geology and geotechnical engineering, and have close collaboration with neighbouring sciences, such as mathematics, statistics, and economics.

A summary of the intended research project: The subsurface is a resource which can offer different types of functions and services (geosystem services), many of which can support the transformation towards a sustainable future and help solving several of today's urban challenges. In Sweden, as well as in many other countries, the common “first come, first served” principle is typically applied in subsurface use; no specific plans are produced for subsurface management and the value and sustainable use of the subsurface are not thoroughly taken into consideration in the spatial planning processes. The project will deal with further developments of thematic information specifically adopted to support spatial planning. In such developments the subsurface should explicitly be considered as a multifunctional resource, and not only support above-ground spatial planning but also subsurface planning. In the proposed project, it is of central interest to use SGU's digitized geoscientific databases in combination with thematic information for different subsurface aspects from other responsible bodies. Geological interpretation of available geoscientific information and conceptualization will be necessary to provide a relevant basis for supporting subsurface planning.

The overall aim of the project is to develop new and useful thematic information to support spatial (2D and 3D) urban planning for sustainable use and management of the subsurface. Specific objectives are: (1) map and categorize the services and goods the subsurface provides, (2) describe methods for valuing geosystem services, (3) investigate at which planning level different geosystem services are best managed, and (4) investigate how available data and associated uncertainties can be represented effectively for the suggested new themes in an era of digitalization and greater possibilities for 3D-modelling.

Research activities include mapping and describing subsurface resources and services based on a Swedish geological setting by using the typology(/ies) of ecosystem and geosystem services. Literature review on subsurface valuation methods and best practices. Mapping of data availability relating to subsurface resources and services, scale and quantification of uncertainty in data. Using focus group interview technique to explore planner's perspective and developing thematic subsurface information in 2D and 3D.

Main responsibilities
Your main responsibility is to pursue your own doctoral studies. You are expected to develop your own scientific concepts and communicate the results of your research verbally and in writing. The position includes research at a minimum level of 80%. Applicants are expected to contribute to the education at undergraduate or MSc level and/or other activities within the Division and the Department up to a maximum of 20% of their time.

Contract terms
Full-time temporary employment. The position is limited to a maximum of five years.

Chalmers continuously strives to be an attractive employer. Equality and diversity are substantial foundations in all activities at Chalmers.

We offer
Chalmers offers a cultivating and inspiring working environment in the dynamic city of Gothenburg. 
Read more about working at Chalmers and our benefits for employees.

Application procedure
To apply, please go to:
https://www.chalmers.se/en/about-chalmers/Working-at-Chalmers/Vacancies/Pages/default.aspx?rmpage=job&rmjob=8621

Application deadline: 22 June, 2020