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PhD on microbially induced precipitation in geo-material microfluidics
Microorganisms in subsurface environments can catalyze reactions that induce mineralization. These microbially induced reactions are difficult to characterize due to the coupling of several processes. The goal of this PhD is to better understand this coupling.
**Natural and industrial microbial processes** – such as those in the subsurface – are often governed by the properties of their mineral substrate, and in turn, microbes can alter the substrate through mineral weathering and precipitation. These processes control the spatio-temporal variability of the physical and hydraulic properties of porous media, and are relevant in many applications in the environment (subsurface transport and hydrology), energy (geothermics), civil engineering (geotechnics, building materials), and human health (bone biomechanics).
Microorganisms in subsurface environments can catalyze reactions that change solution chemistry, enhance mineralization as a byproduct of their metabolism, and act as mineral nucleation sites. However, these microbially induced reactions are difficult to characterize due to the complexity of the mineral substrate, its spatio-temporal evolution, fluid dynamics, and the coupling of geochemical and biological processes.
**Natural and industrial microbial processes** – such as those in the subsurface – are often governed by the properties of their mineral substrate, and in turn, microbes can alter the substrate through mineral weathering and precipitation. These processes control the spatio-temporal variability of the physical and hydraulic properties of porous media, and are relevant in many applications in the environment (subsurface transport and hydrology), energy (geothermics), civil engineering (geotechnics, building materials), and human health (bone biomechanics). Microorganisms in subsurface environments can catalyze reactions that change solution chemistry, enhance mineralization as a byproduct of their metabolism, and act as mineral nucleation sites. However, these microbially induced reactions are difficult to characterize due to the complexity of the mineral substrate, its spatio-temporal evolution, fluid dynamics, and the coupling of geochemical and biological processes.
**The goal** of this PhD is to develop a novel geo-material microfluidic device that directly incorporates a natural mineral substrate in a controlled experimental arena. In combination with multiple imaging and quantification techniques – including optical microscopy, Raman microspectroscopy, and contactless high-resolution measurements of microtopography – this will enable a better understanding of the fundamental characteristics that govern fluid flow, chemical reactions and microbial interactions at the fluid-solid interface. Experimental observations will be blended with theory and modeling.
**The ideal candidate** will have a strong quantitative and experimental background, in either biology, biophysics or bioengineering (although engineering and fluid physics students will also be considered). State-of-the-art facilities and a highly interdisciplinary research environment are available. The project will be jointly supervised by Dr. Joaquin Jimenez-Martinez (Eawag and ETH) and Prof. Roman Stocker.
**The goal** of this PhD is to develop a novel geo-material microfluidic device that directly incorporates a natural mineral substrate in a controlled experimental arena. In combination with multiple imaging and quantification techniques – including optical microscopy, Raman microspectroscopy, and contactless high-resolution measurements of microtopography – this will enable a better understanding of the fundamental characteristics that govern fluid flow, chemical reactions and microbial interactions at the fluid-solid interface. Experimental observations will be blended with theory and modeling.
**The ideal candidate** will have a strong quantitative and experimental background, in either biology, biophysics or bioengineering (although engineering and fluid physics students will also be considered). State-of-the-art facilities and a highly interdisciplinary research environment are available. The project will be jointly supervised by Dr. Joaquin Jimenez-Martinez (Eawag and ETH) and Prof. Roman Stocker.
**We look forward** to receiving your online application including your CV, academic transcripts (with undergraduate grades) and a statement of research interests and motivation. Candidates should arrange for at least two letters of recommendation to be emailed confidentially to joeller[at]ethz.ch. The position will remain open until filled. Please note that we exclusively accept applications submitted through our online application portal. Applications via email or postal services will not be considered.
**For further information** about the groups, please visit http://stockerlab.ethz.ch/ and https://sepgroup.ethz.ch/ or contact Dr. Joaquin Jimenez-Martinez by e-mail jjimenez[at]ethz.ch (no applications).
Apply now! https://apply.refline.ch/845721/6158/BZMg02JvrnNSfpfPq.y42r6poWon6sjvVIyTQRhlxYnOu6Te-1hOKc/apply
**We look forward** to receiving your online application including your CV, academic transcripts (with undergraduate grades) and a statement of research interests and motivation. Candidates should arrange for at least two letters of recommendation to be emailed confidentially to joeller[at]ethz.ch. The position will remain open until filled. Please note that we exclusively accept applications submitted through our online application portal. Applications via email or postal services will not be considered.
**For further information** about the groups, please visit http://stockerlab.ethz.ch/ and https://sepgroup.ethz.ch/ or contact Dr. Joaquin Jimenez-Martinez by e-mail jjimenez[at]ethz.ch (no applications).