Misch, David, Univ.-Prof. Dipl.-Ing. Dr.mont., Head of Chair
Head of Department Applied Geosciences and Geophysics
david.misch(at)unileoben.ac.at
David Misch received his doctorate from MUL (Montanuniversität Leoben) and was habilitated in geology in 2021. He worked as a postdoc at RWTH Aachen University and currently serves as a visiting guest professor at Jilin University (China), where he teaches new geoenergy topics including geothermal energy utilization and underground storage safety. He is also an external partner at Geos4, a consultancy specialized in organic geochemistry and basin analysis including natural hydrogen systems. In 2018, he received the Hans Höfer von Heimhalt Prize of the ÖGG and the Walther E. Petraschek Prize of the ÖAW for his sedimentological research. In 2023, he was appointed Professor of Energy Geosciences at MUL and took over the Chair of Energy Geosciences in 2024. Furthermore, he currently heads the Department of Applied Geosciences and Geophysics at MUL. He is also board member of the Austrian Geological Society and scientific board member of the Austrian Journal of Earth Sciences.
Current projects focus on:
-Natural hydrogen and petroleum systems
-Caprock integrity for underground hydrogen storage and CCS
-Geothermal energy utilization and aquifer thermal energy storage (ATES)
-Advanced characterization of fine-grained sedimentary rocks
-Basin and paleoclimate analysis using organic geochemical proxies
Gawlick, Hans-Jürgen, Ao.Univ.-Prof. Mag. et Dr.rer.nat.
hans-juergen.gawlick(at)unileoben.ac.at
Hans Jürgen Gawlick is a geologist with a strong international academic background and extensive expertise in sedimentary geology, basin analysis, and palaeogeographic reconstruction. He earned his Dipl.-Geol. (MSc) in 1988 and his doctorate (Dr. rer. nat.) in 1992 from Philipps University Marburg/Lahn, Germany, and completed his habilitation (Univ.-Doz.) at Montanuniversität Leoben, Austria, in 2000. His research integrates geology, sedimentology, palaeontology, biostratigraphy, microfacies analysis, geochemistry, geodynamics, and structural geology, including palaeomagnetism. A central focus of his work is the reconstruction of palaeoenvironments, basin evolution, and deposit-forming processes, particularly within the Mesozoic Western Tethys Realm. His field based expertise spans shallow- and deep-water sedimentary environments, carbonate and siliciclastic systems, mélange analysis, carbonate sequence stratigraphy, and the burial and diagenetic history of reservoir and source rocks. Hans Jürgen Gawlick has led and co-led numerous national and international research projects funded by the Austrian Science Foundation (FWF), the Austrian Research Promotion Agency (FFG), the Austrian Academy of Sciences, the German Research Foundation (DFG), and international programs. His academic career includes visiting professorships, honorary positions, and extensive international collaborations across Europe and beyond, complemented by professional experience in subsurface geoengineering and hydrogeology.
Sachsenhofer, Reinhard, Univ.-Prof. Mag.rer.nat. Dr. mont.
reinhard.sachsenhofer(at)unileoben.ac.at
Reinhard F. Sachsenhofer is a retired professor of petroleum geology who continues to actively pursue his scientific interests at the Chair of Energy Geosciences. Guided by enduring scientific curiosity, his work remains focused on both applied and fundamental research questions in the geosciences. His research interests include conventional and unconventional hydrocarbon systems as well as coal geology. While global energy strategies increasingly aim to phase out coal as an energy source, coal geology offers valuable insights into the evolution of ancient wetlands and the processes controlling organic matter accumulation in the geological past. Current research topics include petroleum systems of the Paratethys region, covering Central Europe, the Black Sea, the Caucasus, and the Caspian Sea; the development of Miocene wetlands in Indonesia; the effects of Late Triassic and Middle Eocene climate change on organic matter deposition; and the energy potential, including oil and hydrogen, of organic-rich sediments in Arabia. His research reflects the transnational nature of geological processes and is supported by long-standing collaborations with universities in Kazakhstan and China. Throughout his career, Reinhard F. Sachsenhofer has consistently sought to combine applied research with fundamental scientific inquiry. This approach has been recognized through several research prizes and awards.
Wegerer, Eva, Dipl.-Ing. Dr.mont. MBA
eva.wegerer(at)unileoben.ac.at
Eva Wegerer is a Senior Scientist at the Chair of Energy Geoscience. She holds a diploma and a doctorate in Applied Geosciences as well as a Master of Business Administration, all awarded by Montanuniversität Leoben. Her teaching and research focus on environmental geology and sustainable energy systems, with particular emphasis on the development and application of shallow geothermal technologies. A central aspect of her work is the investigation of geological, hydrogeological, and thermal boundary conditions that control the performance of shallow geothermal systems. Her research aims to support their sustainable integration into the subsurface while ensuring long-term efficiency and environmental compatibility. By systematically assessing and optimizing the potential of shallow geothermal energy, her work contributes to the development of reliable, energy-efficient, and environmentally sustainable thermal energy supply systems. Through this research, she actively supports the energy transition and the responsible use of subsurface resources.
Nobis, Günter
guenter.nobis(at)unileoben.ac.at
Born in Braunau am Inn, he moved to Leoben in 1995 to pursue a degree in Industrial Environmental Protection at Montanuniversität Leoben. He spent two years studying at ETSIME in Madrid and, together with his family background, this has given him fluent command of Spanish. Since 2018, he has been working as a laboratory technician at our chair. He is responsible for the organic geochemical laboratories, as well as for maintaining the sample archive and database. His duties include the preparation of solid, liquid, and gaseous samples, performing GC–MS analyses, and training students in the use of geochemical laboratory equipment. Prior to this role, he gained professional experience in various sectors of the chemical industry and in the development of medical devices.
Shi, Xiangyun, Dr. mont.
xiangyun.shi(at)unileoben.ac.at
Shi is a post-doctoral researcher at the Chair of Energy Geoscience at Montanuniversität Leoben. She holds a Ph.D. in Energy Geosciences from Montanuniversität Leoben, an M.Sc. in Applied Geoscience from RWTH Aachen University (Germany), and a B.Sc. in Geological Engineering from Hohai University (China). During her doctoral research, she investigated fine-grained sedimentary rocks as natural barriers for underground storage of gases such as CO₂ and H₂. She developed an advanced workflow to characterize pore structures and mechanical properties of shale and mudstone using broad ion beam–scanning electron microscopy (BIB-SEM), nanoindentation, and machine-learning-based data analysis. During her master’s studies, she worked as a research assistant on the EU Horizon 2020 GEMex project at RWTH Aachen University, where she performed numerical modelling of heat transfer and fluid flow in an ultra-high-temperature geothermal field at Los Humeros, Mexico. She currently works on the FFG-funded project AbateC in collaboration with Peking University, developing tailored carbon capture and storage solutions to support industrial decarbonization.
Bensing, Joel, MSc
joel.bensing(at)unileoben.ac.at
Joel Bensing is an applied geologist specializing in sedimentary geology, geohazards, and subsurface storage for the energy transition. He has worked across upstream oil and gas, environmental, and engineering geology, developing expertise in data interpretation, ground‑model development, construction monitoring, and field implementation. Joel’s interest focuses on human–geology interactions—particularly caprock integrity and mineralogical reactions related to underground hydrogen and CO2 storage. He manages the autoclave laboratory at Montanuniversität Leoben (Chair of Energy Geosciences), where he leads high‑pressure gas experiments and pore‑characterization studies, and he also lectures in Soil Sciences. Previously, Joel managed a multi‑million‑dollar geotechnical program following the Canterbury Earthquake Sequence in New Zealand and supervised novel permafrost drilling at McMurdo Station, Antarctica. He also brings extensive experience in environmental monitoring and remediation across contaminated sites. Outside work, he is an avid boulderer and skier, often out with his family.
Skerbisch, Lukas, Dipl. Ing.
lukas.skerbisch(at)unileoben.ac.at
Lukas Skerbisch finished the Economic, Environmental and Technical Geology Master of Applied Geosciences at Montanuniversität Leoben in 2022. In his master thesis he compared 50-year-old, altered caprock cores with fresh drilled material. In his PhD thesis with the title “Seal integrity for subsurface gas storage: Innovative assessment workflows” he investigated caprock cores form the Vienna Basin for underground gas storage applications, implemented a basin wide mudstone compaction trend for core as well as for logging data. Furthermore, in cooperation with CSIRO Energy, Perth he analysed petrophysical parameters of salt rock cores from the Haselgebirge Formation for gas storage applications. In the FFG funded Project CCSIM he will furthermore optimize reactive transport modelling workflows for low permeable barrier rocks in cooperation with OMV and Terranta.
Pengg, Alexander, Dipl. Ing.
alexander.pengg(at)unileoben.ac.at
Alexander Pengg is a University Assistant and PhD candidate. He earned a Bachelor’s degree in Applied Geosciences (B.Sc.) as well as a Master’s degree in Applied Geosciences (Dipl.-Ing.) with a special focus on applied geophysics and energy geosciences at the Technical University of Leoben. During his studies, he gained expertise in the geophysical and petrophysical characterization of (fault) rocks as wells as in the interpretation of geophysical data. He is currently working on natural hydrogen system characterization and natural hydrogen exploration with a special interest in soil gas geochemistry, hydrogen-generative processes, subsurface fluid migration, and microbial processes in the shallowmost subsurface. His most recent research addressed pitfalls in natural hydrogen exploration such as Drill Bit Metamorphism and the interpretation of soil gas data.
Farouji Safaei, Majid, Dr. mont.
majid.safaei-farouji(at)unileoben.ac.at
Majid Safaei Farouji completed his PhD in 2025 with a focus on Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) in coal systems. His doctoral research investigated carbon storage capacity, coalbed methane (CBM), and CO₂-enhanced coalbed methane potential in coals of varying rank. A key aspect of his work was the comparison of physical and chemical gas adsorption processes in coals and organic-matter-rich shales. His research employed a wide range of analytical techniques, including organic petrography, geochemical analyses, and low- and high-pressure gas adsorption measurements. Prior to joining the Chair, Majid Safaei Farouji earned a bachelor’s degree in geology and a master’s degree in petroleum geology. He is currently a researcher at the Chair of Energy Geoscience, where he continues to work on topics related to gas storage and transport in carbon-rich geological formations.
Weitz, Johannes, Dipl. Ing.
johannes.weitz(at)unileoben.ac.at
Based in Vienna, Austria, Johannes Weitz has spent his academic career at the Technical University of Leoben, where he is currently working on his phD thesis. His main research focuses on organic geochemistry, especially bulk organic geochemical, and hydrocarbon composition analyses. He incorporates such data with other crucial geoscientific methods, such as organic petrography, facies analysis, and age dating in order to paint a clear picture of past climatic and environmental evolution.
Kumala Isnani, Desi, M.Eng.
rr-desi-kumala.isnani(at)unileoben.ac.at
Desi Kumala Isnani is a PhD student from Indonesia and a scholarship holder of the Indonesia–Austria Scholarship Programme. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Petroleum Engineering from Universitas Pembangunan Nasional “Veteran” Yogyakarta and a Master’s degree in Geological Engineering from Universitas Gadjah Mada. Before starting her doctoral studies, she worked as a sedimentology laboratory technician at Universitas Gadjah Mada from 2015 to 2022. Since 2022, she has served as a lecturer in the Geological Engineering Department at Universitas Pembangunan Nasional “Veteran” Yogyakarta. During her work, she has been involved in several collaborative research projects with the oil and gas industry, mainly supporting petrophysical and geochemical analyses. Her current PhD research focuses on organic geochemical investigations of basin fill in the Kutai Basin, Kalimantan, Indonesia. She studies Miocene coal samples from the Sangatta and Bengalon areas as her main research objects, with fine-grained sedimentary rocks from the Gunung Kudung area as secondary objects.
Qizhang, Fan, Visiting PhD Student
qizhang.fan(at)stud.unileoben.ac.at
Fan Qizhang is a visiting PhD student from the China University of Geosciences (Beijing). He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Resource Exploration Engineering (2019) and a Master’s degree in Geological Engineering (2022), complemented by two joint research periods at the Guangzhou Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences. His work centers on shale-gas enrichment mechanisms, with a strong focus on hydrocarbon generation and expulsion processes, shale porosity evolution, and solid-bitumen formation. He has extensive laboratory experience, particularly in gold-tube pyrolysis for simulating hydrocarbon generation, pore-structure characterization (low-pressure gas adsorption, SEM), and chemical-structure analyses using XPS, FTIR, 13C-NMR, and Raman spectroscopy. He also contributes to constructing geological models for gas-bearing shale systems in the Yichang region. Currently, his research focuses on underground hydrogen storage, investigating how hydrogen injection affects caprock sealing
Qu, Jing, MSc
jing.qu(at)stud.unileoben.ac.at
Jing Qu is a doctoral student from China University of Mining and Technology who is currently engaged in joint training at Montanuniversitat Leoben. The primary focus of his research is coalbed methane development in China, encompassing the evaluation of deep coal seam gas content and the dynamic production mechanisms. The subject's doctoral research encompasses the correction of gas loss during coring procedures, the undertaking of studies on adsorbed to free gas conversion, and the prediction of gas content based on logs.
Schellich, Alexandra
alexandra(at)schellich(at)unileoben.ac.at
Born, raised, and currently living in Leoben, Alexandra Schellich brings many years of experience in administrative and organizational work to the department. After completing her training as an industrial clerk at voestalpine Schienen GmbH (1990–1992), she worked in various companies across several administrative functions. Her professional responsibilities have included accounting, payroll and salary administration, personnel time management, invoicing, purchasing and sales, as well as warehouse and office management including staff supervision. In addition, she served as an apprentice trainer and supports the department with great care and strong organizational skills.
Dedic, Nikolaus BSc
nikolaus.dedic(at)unileoben.ac.at
Nikolaus Dedic holds a Bachelor’s degree in Geoenergy Engineering from Montanuniversität Leoben and is currently pursuing a Master’s degree in Industrial Management and Business Administration at the same university. He is also working as a student assistant at the Department of Energy Geosciences. Born in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, he spent his formative years across Poland, Austria, Malaysia, and the United Arab Emirates, experiences that fostered a strong multicultural perspective. He is fluent in German and English. Nikolaus has gained valuable industry experience through internships in the oil and gas sector in both Algeria and Austria, further strengthening his practical understanding of energy systems and subsurface resources.
Fischer, Klaus Christian, Dipl-Geol. Honorary Professor at the Chair of Energy Geosciences at Montanuniversitaet Leoben
klaus.c.fischer(at)t-online.de
Klaus C. Fischer studied geology at Stuttgart University and obtained a degree (diploma) at the RWTH Aachen. In 1985 he joined the Prakla-Seismos seismic interpretation services group, later Schlumberger GeoQuest. He worked on projects in the Molasse Basin, Northern Germany, Turkey, Middle East, Romania, Caspian Region, Mexico, and North Africa, mainly with special focus on seismic stratigraphy. In 1999 he joined Wintershall AG in Kassel, where he carried out evaluations in the South Caspian Basin, Russia, Libya, Middle East, Argentina, Brazil, Romania, Norway, and Northern Germany. He retired in 2021 as Corporate Principal Geology. Since then, he is active as consultant, advisor, and mentor in seismic interpretation for geothermal and other projects. Since 1995 he is lecturer on Seismic and Sequence Stratigraphy at the Montanuniversität Leoben.
Nachtmann, Wolfgang, Dr. phil., Honorary Professor at the Chair of Energy Geosciences at Montanuniversitaet Leoben
Wolfgang Nachtmann, a geology graduate of the Leopold-Franzens-Universitaet-Innsbruck, is a petroleum industry ‘veteran‘ and has been sharing his experience with young petroleum- / geo-energy engineers and geoscientist in Leoben since 2001. His lectures provide students with in-depth industry information and views behind the curtains of smaller and larger oil companies. For how long the ‘fossils’ will (still) play a leading role respectively when they will become (fully) replaced by renewable and ‘cleaner’ sources is rather speculation than science but worth thinking and talking about. A flyer with lecture-details can be called via email.