The BedrettoLab (Bedretto Underground Laboratory for Geosciences and Geoenergies) is an innovative research facility operated by ETH Zurich. It is situated in a 5.2 kilometers long tunnel with entrance in the Bedretto Valley (TI). The BedrettoLab, which is outfitted with cutting-edge technology, provides perfect circumstances for conducting experimental study on earthquakes nucleation, geothermal reservoir building and geobiology. The laboratory is also key to creating state-of-the-art methods and sensors for geothermal energy exploitation, earthquake physics, and tracing microbial community dynamics underground. The BedrettoLab team consists of about 30 ETH scientists from different disciplines and collaborates with several research institutions from Switzerland, Europe and USA.
Project background The advertised role requires significant time working in an underground tunnel and involves primarily three key tasks:
1. You will assist with general fieldwork in the BedrettoLab, particularly within the context of sampling for the BEACH (Bedretto Energy Storage and Circulation of Geothermal Energy) and FEAR (Fault Activation and Earthquake Rupture) projects. BEACH aims to demonstrate and develop fractured thermal energy storage (FTES) as a new technology for storing and retrieving energy in Switzerland using the Bedretto tunnel as a model system. The core idea of FEAR is to gain an understanding of how earthquakes start and stop by using hydraulic stimulation to modify stress and initiate small, non-damaging earthquakes (magnitude ~1.0 events) on candidate faults in the vicinity of the Bedretto Tunnel. Groundwater sampling involves filtering with different types of filters, e.g., for DNA or dissolved organic matter (DOM) extraction, using submersible or peristaltic pumps. Additionally, you will collect sub-samples for water chemistry, water isotope, and radiocarbon analyses.
2. In the context of BEACH and FEAR, water parameters such as electrical conductivity (EC), pH, oxidation-reduction potential (ORP), temperature, and total dissolved solids (TDS) are regularly monitored using handheld and automatic probes. Installing and maintaining these instruments, including regular calibration and data acquisition, will be part of your work.
3. Both the BEACH and FEAR boreholes are connected to the tunnel fracture system and can be affected by the infiltration of surface water. To assess changes to the Bedretto groundwater in general and differentiate allochthonous from autochthonous changes, additional fractures along the tunnel and surface water sources are sampled regularly. If needed, you will assist with additional fracture sampling and with surface sampling campaigns during the summer.
Job description We are looking for students preferably in their first master year in Earth Sciences or Biology.
You will help the BedrettoLab team with:
- Groundwater sampling for DNA and Dissolved Organic Matter (DOM) extraction and water chemistry analysis
- Measurement of water parameters such as EC, ORP, pH, Temperature, and Tds
- Data acquisition with borehole logging techniques and rock core scanning devices
- Data analysis with standard software e.g. Wellcad (training will be provided)
- Data and metadata storage in our databases
- Transport of field equipment between Zurich and Bedretto
- Occasionally guiding scientific guests in the tunnel
- Possible Extension: Spinoff-Master Thesis are highly encouraged
Profile - You have good manual skills and are ready to work in a unique environment like the BedrettoLab.
- We expect you to have a valid driver's license, be flexible with your time schedule, enjoy collaborating with colleagues from different disciplines, and be willing to do physical work.
- Speaking English or German is required. Speaking Italian is a plus.
- You can start as soon as possible.
- You must be enrolled at ETHZ or UniZurich and must be willing to work 15h/week on average during the semester.
- It is possible to work more during the semester breaks (up to 40 hours possible).
- We handle working time flexibly such that you can take time to study for exams or fulfil other obligations for your studies while coordinating with the team when tasks need to be completed. Ideally, we are looking for individuals who can stay employed as student assistants for at least one year, and possibly longer.
We offer - A strongly interdisciplinary team with good support and friendly colleagues.
- A welcoming work environment that encourages your own ideas.
- The opportunity to gain insights into state-of-the-art, interdisciplinary Earth Science Research projects.
- Standard ETH student RA salary
> Working, teaching and research at ETH Zurich We value diversity and sustainability In line with
our values, ETH Zurich encourages an inclusive culture. We promote equality of opportunity, value diversity and nurture a working and learning environment in which the rights and dignity of all our staff and students are respected. Visit our
Equal Opportunities and Diversity website to find out how we ensure a fair and open environment that allows everyone to grow and flourish. Sustainability is a core value for us - we are consistently working towards a
climate-neutral future.
