The Helmholtz Centre Potsdam - GFZ German Research Centre for Geosciences is the national centre for research into the geosphere. With around 1,500 employees, we develop a sound understanding of systems and processes of the solid Earth as well as strategies and options for action to counter global change, understand natural hazards and sustainably secure energy and raw material requirements.

The EU-funded project CRM-geothermal investigates the combined extraction of mineral raw materials and geothermal energy. Within the project, we are developing methods for the selective extraction of elements from geothermal fluids that are considered critical raw materials and are of crucial importance for the energy transition (e.g. lithium). In this context, we offer a PhD position for a motivated graduate in the section Geoenergy 4.8 in the fields of Process and Plant Technologies and Geothermal Fluids. The focus of the work is on the development of extraction processes in the laboratory, as well as the design, testing and modification of an experimental plant for the extraction of critical raw materials from geothermal fluids.

Your responsibilities:

• Realisation of laboratory experiments to develop and optimise extraction technologies
• Evaluation and adaption of experimental work to determine suitable technical conditions for extraction
• Development of a numerical model of the extraction process, including the coupling to thermal and fluid-mechanical processes in order to capture the dynamic behaviour of these extraction processes
• Design, testing and modification of a “Miniplant”, which combines the processes that have been tested in the laboratory in a single process flow
• Publication of research results in international journals and at conferences
• Cooperation with national and international partners 

Your qualifications:

• University degree (MSc or equivalent) in physics, geotechnics, engineering, chemistry or a comparable field of study
• Interest in experimental work, process engineering and process technology
• High motivation to familiarise yourself with new topics and to combine methods and insights from different disciplines
• Initial experience in laboratory work
• Basic knowledge of scripting languages (Python, Matlab) and numerical tools is an advantage, but not a prerequisite
• Ability to work in a goal-oriented and structured manner
• Strong teamwork and communication skills for working in an interdisciplinary environment
• Expandable knowledge of English (language courses are offered at the GFZ)