Post-doc position in modeling seismic tremors and slow slip in the framework of the H2020 ERC project SEISMAZE (M/F)

Missions

The Institut des Sciences de la Terre at Grenoble (ISTerre/CNRS), France is opening a Postdoc position in the framework of the ERC project SEISMAZE (https://seismaze.osug.fr). This project is aimed at studies of slow transient deformation processes in geological systems based on seismological observations and is, in particular, focused on low-frequency tremors and earthquakes observed in active faults and volcanic systems.

Activites

The proposed 2-year postdoc position is aimed at developing a physical model in which the full spectrum of tectonic “slow transients” (from slow slip to tremor) is simulated with accounting for the hydraulic processes occurring in the fault zones, namely with modeling the fluid pressure diffusion in a channel along the fault interface in which the permeability varies through a valving mechanism (https://doi.org/10.1029/2021JB021894).
In this framework, the seismic radiation is generated as valves break open and interactions between valves through fluid pressure transients shape realistic tremor patterns.
The work expected during this postdoc project will mainly consist in coupling the hydraulic model with the slip along the fault by adding elastic strain and friction on the fault interface. Contact : Nikolai Shapiro (nikolai.shapiro univ-grenoble-alpes.fr); Claude Jaupart (jaupart ipgp.fr).

Skills

The recruited post-doctoral researcher must have:
– PhD in geophysics, physics, mechanics or related field (at the time of hiring).
– Experience in numerical modeling of mechanical systems.
– Experience in communicating, writing, publishing scientific works.

Work Context

The successful candidate will work in the Institut des Sciences de la Terre, Grenoble (ISTerre/CNRS) and in a close collaboration with the Geological Fluid Dynamics team in Institut de Physique du Globe in Paris (France).

ISTerre (Insitut des Sciences de la Terre/Institute of Earth Sciences) is a joint research unit comprised of 300 people. It operates under the supervision of the CNRS, (University Grenoble Alps, University Savoie Mont Blanc, French National Research Institute for Development / French institute of science and technology for transport, development and networks), and is subsidiary of Observatory of Earth Sciences and Astronomy of Grenoble and of PAGE, a research center of Grenoble-Alpes University.

Organized in 10 research teams, the primary goal of our research unit is the physical and chemical study of the planet Earth through a combination of observations of natural objects, experimentation, and the modeling of complex processes.
The selected candidate will integrate the Ondes & structures team of Isterre comprising 70 researchers, post-docs and PhD students, including the members of the SEISMAZE project team.

Additional Information

Contact: Nikolai Shapiro (nikolai.shapiro univ-grenoble-alpes.fr) and Claude Jaupart (jaupart ipgp.fr)