POST-DOCTORAL RESEARCH FELLOW/RESEARCH ASSISTANT Level A  PhD (fixed
term, 2 years)
Ref no: A050198

Gas migration through composite landfill covers comprising geosynthetic
clay liners and geomembranes. 

1.	 Position Summary
A post-doctoral position is currently available in the Geomechanics
Group at the Department of Civil Engineering, Monash University,
Melbourne, Australia. The project to be undertaken by the applicant will
deal with gas migration through composite landfill covers. The project
will focus on formulating, developing and applying a new method for
performing gas leakage rate analysis through composite landfill caps. To
achieve these outcomes, the fundamental mechanisms that govern gas flow
in a composite capping system that utilises a geosynthetic clay liner
(hydraulic barrier with low saturated hydraulic conductivity) and a
geomembrane will be investigated experimentally and numerically. This
type of composite system is widely and often used to reduce the water
ingress into the landfill and to control biogas escape into the
atmosphere. The geomembrane component of a composite barrier is
essentially impervious to fluid or gas flow when devoid of holes or
defects. However, gas transport through geomembranes can happen through
small holes or defects in the geomembranes. Defects through geomembranes
may be caused by poor seams, punctures from sharp objects, high tensile
stresses, or material failure. A comprehensive experimental and
theoretical investigation will be carried out of a composite system
which will include defects in the geomembrane. Of particular focus will
be the development of a theoretical approach that will account for the
uniform and non uniform gas transmissivity of the interface
geomembrane-GCL with particular reference to the influence on the rate
of gas leakage through composite capping liners. Another focus will be
on gas diffusion.

The applicant will be appointed for a fixed two year term as a research
only academic at Level A. 


 2.	 Selection Criteria
    Essential
•	PhD in Geotechnical Engineering/Geomechanics/Civil/Environmental
Engineering or a related discipline 
•	Experience in experimental investigations 
•	Knowledge and experience in Gas Flow in Porous Media and in one or
more of the following areas: Geosynthetics, Unsaturated Soil Behaviour,
Numerical Methods in Geotechnical/Geoenvironmental Engineering.
•	A good understanding of numerical and analytical methods
•	Excellent written and oral communication skills
•	Ability to publish in international peer reviewed journals;
•	Ability to work as a professional member of a team
•	Good organization skills.
    Desirable
•	Good mathematical skills
•	Skills in tutoring and/or teaching may be helpful.  
•	
3.	 Duties
A Level A research-only academic is expected to contribute towards the
research effort of the university and to develop her/his research
expertise through the pursuit of defined projects relevant to the
particular field of research. 
Specific duties required of a Level A research-only academic may include: 
•	the conduct of research under limited supervision either as a member
of a team or, where appropriate, independently and the production or
contribution to the production of conference and seminar papers and
publications from that research;
•	involvement in professional activities including, subject to
availability of funds, attendance at conferences and seminars in the
field of expertise;
•	limited administrative functions primarily connected with the area of
research of the academic;
•	development of a limited amount of research-related material for
teaching or other purposes with appropriate guidance from other staff;
•	occasional contributions to teaching in relation to her/his research
project(s);
•	experimental design and operation of advanced laboratory and technical
equipment or conduct of advanced research procedures;
•	attendance at meetings associated with research or the work of the
organisational unit to which the research is connected and/or at
departmental, school and/or faculty meetings and/or membership of a
limited number of committees; and
•	advice within the field of the staff member's research to postgraduate
students.

Further information  

Further information about the position can be obtained from Associate
Professor Malek Bouazza, Department of Civil Engineering, Building 60,
Monash University, Vic. 3800, Australia (Tel: 03-9905 4956; Fax: 03-9905
4944; Email: [log in to unmask]).

Application

Applications, including a curriculum vitae, copy of academic transcript,
names and contact details of three referees should be sent to A/Prof
Malek Bouazza at the above address. Closing date for applications is 09
October  2005. 

-- 
--------------------------------------------
Dr. Abdelmalek Bouazza
Associate Professor
Department of Civil Engineering
Building 60, Monash University, Clayton Campus
Vic. 3800, Australia
Tel. 03-9905 4956, Fax.03-9905 4944
Email:[log in to unmask]
http://civil.eng.monash.edu.au/about/staff/bouazza
-------------------------------------------