Title: Impact of pore pressure variations induced by pressurised TBM on neighbouring constructions: field data analysis and numerical modelling with artificial intelligence tools.

In urban areas, mechanised tunneling requires an accurate prediction of the impact of tunnel boring machines (TBM) on neighbouring structures , particularly those founded on piles .
The LTDS /ENTPE (UMR CNRS 5513) and the French Centre for Tunnel Studies (CETU) work on this topic for several years. The objectives of this postdoctoral research are twofold:
1) To improve understanding of pore pressure variations induced by pressurised TBMs and their impact on design methods , through analysis of experimental data from various construction sites, and coupled hydromechanical numerical simulations to evaluate the limits of “classical’ drained calculations.
2) To develop a physics informed machine learning surrogate model to predict pile displacements during TBM excavation.

For further information, see the attached [PDF].

Post-doctoral Fellowship positions in Machine Learning/Numerical Analysis in Geotechnical Engineering are open at the Geotechnical Engineering Research Group, Shandong University, Jinan, China. Candidates should have graduated with a Ph.D. within the last three years and have experience in machine learning/numerical analysis in geotechnical engineering. Successful candidates will engage in interdisciplinary research in applying machine learning/numerical analysis in transportation geotechnics, underground space or offshore geotechnical engineering. Interested applicants are encouraged to contact Prof. Kai Yao https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Kai-Yao by emailing yaokai@sdu.edu.cn

The salary package could be referred to https://www.en.sdu.edu.cn/info/1169/7271.htm

For further information, see the attached [PDF].

We are pleased to announce a fully funded PhD position at University Grenoble Alpes and CNRS (France) supported by the “Laboratoire d’Excellence Tec21” and European MSCA COFUND programme.
The PhD is dedicated to the Multiscale Hydromechanics of growing roots and soils and will be conducted jointly with the 3SR and LIPhy laboratories.
You will find detailed information about the PhD project in the attached document. Application details are also available here:
https://www.tecxxi.fr/phd-tec21/#about
Deadline for applications is 28 February 2026. Applicants must hold a master’s degree or equivalent qualification by the application deadline and must NOT have resided in France for more than 12 months during the last 3 years.

For further information, see the attached [PDF].

We are looking for 3 PhD students for research to better understand the physical processes occurring during vibratory installation of piles in different soils and the possibility to predict this response on the basis of cyclic penetrometer tests. The research is funded through the Australia Research Council, the PhD students will be enrolled at COFS/UWA and will be supervised by Britta Bienen, Patrick Staubach (Bauhaus University Weimar), Fraser Bransby and other members of the COFS academic team.

For further information, see the attached pdf.

For further information, see the attached [PDF].

PhD Opportunity: Hidden Risks of Saline Intrusion

Fully funded IAPETUS2 PhD studentship with Ekbal Hussain and Audrey Ougier-Simonin at the British Geological Survey (BGS), and Elma (Elli-Maria) Charalampidou at Heriot-Watt University.

This interdisciplinary project (project IAP-25-125) explores how climate-driven saline intrusion affects the strength and stability of coastal carbonate rocks—combining:
– Experimental geomechanics & geochemistry
– Neutron/X-ray tomography
– Earth Observation (EO) data
– Risk mapping & science-to-policy translation

Key Dates:
Applications open: 7 November 2025
Deadline: 5 January 2026 at 12:00 GMT
International applicants: Contact supervisors by 8 December 2025

Full details & how to apply: iapetus.ac.uk/how-to-apply
Informal enquiries: audreyo@bgs.ac.uk, ekhuss@bgs.ac.uk and E.Charalampidou@hw.ac.uk

For further information, see the attached [PDF].

Within the ERC Advanced Grant and FWF projects, we are pleased to announce three 4-year PhD positions on granular mechanics and computational geomechanics at the Institute of Geotechnical Engineering, BOKU University, Vienna, Austria.

PhD position 1# is supported by an Advanced Grant of the European Research Council (ERC). The ideal candidate will focus on advanced laboratory experiments and centrifuge model tests on granular flows.

PhD position 2# is supported by an Advanced Grant of the European Research Council (ERC). The ideal candidate will focus on constitutive modelling and numerical simulations in granular mechanics.

PhD position 3# is supported by an Einzelprojekte of the Austrian Science Fund (FWF). The ideal candidate will focus on multiscale modelling of scaly clay failure process in large deformation.

We offer a four-year (48-month) PhD contract with excellent research facilities and a competitive gross salary of 2,786.00 EUR per month (paid 14 times per year),

For further information, see the attached [PDF].