Topic 4

In this 3- to 4-year project, a student will conduct a study on smectite a as major component of bentonites, shales, and claystones which form natural and engineered barriers, such as caprocks in gas reservoirs/storage or barriers for nuclear waste disposal. The crystallochemical structure and texture of smectite control the properties of these barriers and determine their reactivity (and thus changes in properties) in a contact with gases, brines, other mineral phases, and under thermal gradient over time.

Principle Investigator: prof. dr hab. Arkadiusz (Arek) Derkowski

Funding source: Ministry of Science and Higher Education, Poland

Project ID: NdS-II/SP/0290/2024/01

Scientific supervisors: prof. dr hab. Arkadiusz (Arek) Derkowski, dr hab. Artur Kuligiewicz

Application deadline: 10 ^th of June 2025

Competition decision deadline: until 31 ^st of August 2025

Start of the scholarship: October, 1^st, 2025

Planned duration: 48 months

Remuneration: ~5000 PLN gross /month

Location: Institute of Geological Sciences, Polish Academy of Sciences, Kraków, Poland

We offer:

•  
  • Work in the leading geological research institute in Poland;
  • Remuneration paid as a scholarship for the duration of the project
  • Fully covered cost of research
  • Access to world’s top research instruments and laboratories
  • Participation in international conferences;
  • Possibility to apply for additional internal and external funding to extend the time or amount of the scholarship.

Requirements / Expectations:

• MSc degree in Earth sciences or chemistry (speciality in geology, mineralogy, crystallography, or similar field) granted before May, 30^th, 2025
• Proven background in clay mineralogy
• High degree of motivation, the ability to work both independently and in a team;
• Proficiency in spoken and written English;
• Willingness to learn basics of Polish language
• Willingness to work with academia and industry partners
• A record of published research papers (as an author/coauthor) and presentations at international conferences will be a an advantage

Duties / Responsibilities:

• Participating in research projects and technical/laboratory/field works carried by the Clay Minerals team;
• Participating in lectures and seminars
• Performing organizational duties, as specified by a supervisor
• Oral presentations (or posters) at international conferences;
• Preparation of scientific articles, conference presentations, and reports;
• Participation in doctoral studies organized by Doctoral School GeoPlanet (geoplanetschool.pl).

Form of submitting documents:

Applications should be submitted by June, 10th, 2025 to the Coordinator of Doctoral School via e-mail: rekrutacja_ingpan@twarda.pan.pl  and to the principal investigator of the project dr hab. Arkadiusz Derkowski: ndderkow@cyf-kr.edu.pl In the title of the message, please, indicate  "Smectite".

For more information, please, contact Arkadiusz Derkowski, Artur Kuligiewicz via e-mail: ndkuligi@cyf-kr.edu.pl or ndderkow@cyf-kr.edu.pl.

Please attach all attachments required in the detailed announcement:https://www.ing.pan.pl/ksztalcenie/szkola-doktorska-geoplanet