PhD position Multi-scale characterisation and modelling of clay – water interactions at TU Delft

We are looking for an enthusiastic and highly motivated PhD candidate to work on the multi-scale characterisation and modelling of clay – water interactions. The PhD position is part of the NWO-funded project DELAY, which aims at investigating the fundamental mechanisms responsible for the time-dependent behaviour of clays.

The PhD will be jointly supervised by Dr. Anne-Catherine Dieudonné (TU Delft), and Prof. Jean-Michel Pereira and Prof. Laurent Brochard (École des Ponts ParisTech), offering a strong international and interdisciplinary environment for scientific and personal growth.

Further information on eligibility criteria and application procedure can be found on:
https://careers.tudelft.nl/job/Delft-PhD-Position-Multi-Scale-Characterisation-and-Modelling-of-Clay-Water-Interactions-2628-CD/826353602/

The closing date for application is 20 August 2025.

18 months post-doc position: Modeling of THM couplings from pore scale to continuum with SPH method.

📢 Numerical Modeling of THMC Couplings in Host Rocks for Radioactive Waste Disposal

Institution: ASNR (with collaboration from GeoRessources, Université de Lorraine) work in Paris region
Project Context: EURAD-2 (2024–2028) – European Joint Programme on Radioactive Waste Management
Research Area: Multiphysics modeling, porous media, THMC processes, upscaling, SPH, LBM

ASNR (in collaboration with GeoRessources, Univ. of Lorraine) is seeking a researcher (PhD level) to model coupled THMC processes in the Callovo-Oxfordian argillite, France’s proposed host rock for radioactive waste disposal (Cigéo project). The work focuses on gas migration, mechanical deformation, and phase changes at micro/meso scales, using DNS tools (SPH & LBM), GPU computing, and 3D imaging data. Objectives include upscaling pore-scale simulations to the continuum, improving physical couplings (thermal, multiphase, reactive), and benchmarking with simplified models and surrogate approaches (e.g., PINNs).

For further information, see the attached [PDF].

Two-year postdoctoral research project on TANN and constitutive modeling

Please find attached a proposal for a two-year postdoctoral research project, in collaboration with La Rochelle University, ENSTA | IP Paris, and INRAE in Aix-en-Provence.
The proposed topic is:
Constitutive laws for partially saturated granular materials via thermodynamics-based artificial neural networks trained on GPU DEM-LBM simulations.

For further information, see the attached [PDF].

PhD student position Modeling and Engineering Risk and Complexity (Napoli, Italy

PhD call – 4 years – € 19,000 yearly
Deadline: 27/08/2025 – 14:00 CET
https://www.ssmeridionale.it/avcp/bando-di-concorso-xli-ciclo-dottorato-di-ricerca-della-scuola-superiore-meridionale/
A call for applications for 10 Doctoral Programs has been announced by the Scuola Superiore Meridionale (SSM) in Naples (Italy). Specifically, the MERC program (Modeling and Engineering Risk and Complexity) emphasises an interdisciplinary approach to studying and managing complex systems, designing and engineering resilient systems, and analysing and managing risks and cascading effects. Within this context, geotechnical methods can be utilised to address hazard assessments related to landslides, seismic site responses, and other issues. Detailed hazard assessments can be further integrated into risk analyses for structures and lifelines to evaluate both their serviceability and ultimate state. This can also lead to the development of risk mitigation strategies through a decision support system.

For further information, see the attached [PDF].

PhD student position in Modelling Erosion in Sensitive Clay Slopes at Chalmers in Sweden

We are looking for a PhD candidate fascinated in modelling erosion processes in sensitive clay slopes. The highly sensitive clays, called quick clays, can change from solid to liquid with small environmental perturbations. We want to be able to understand how a changing environment will accelerate toe erosion thus affecting the stability of sensitive clay slopes, probably triggering catastrophic failures. We offer access to unique experimental data and computational tools developed by our research team for addressing a timely societally relevant problem.

For details, see:
https://www.chalmers.se/en/about-chalmers/work-with-us/vacancies/?rmpage=job&rmjob=14057&rmlang=UK

For further information, see the attached [PDF].

PhD student position in Characterisation of the Micromechanics of Quick Clays at Chalmers

We are looking for a PhD candidate fascinated by the response of quick clays that can change from solid to liquid with small environmental perturbations. The aim is to unravel the mechanisms, and time scales involved at particle scale, for the formation and failure of quick clays. A novel combination of miniaturised thermal-hydro-mechanical experiments and particle level modelling will be pursued to unravel the unique mechanisms that make quick clays so hazardous and at the same time so special. The originality of the experiments is in the combination of X-ray based scattering and imaging methods to monitor the changes at the particle scale during testing.

For application process and details, see
https://www.chalmers.se/en/about-chalmers/work-with-us/vacancies/?rmpage=job&rmjob=14061&rmlang=UK

For further information, see the attached [PDF].

New ALERT Geomaterials Announcement Submission Form

ALERT Geomaterials has launched a new Announcement Submission Form to make it easier for our community to share relevant updates.

You can now submit announcements for:

  • Events – such as conferences, workshops, and seminars
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Once approved, announcements will be:

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📌 Please note: All submissions are subject to moderation by the ALERT team before publication.

📬 Submit your announcement here.

Thank you for contributing to the ALERT community!

Full time Research Assistant in Mining Engineering at the University of Mons

This position involves pedagogical (50%) and research (50%) work in the field of mining engineering. It covers a 2-year period (starting on 15 Sep. 2025), renewable twice, in order to achieve a PhD in Applied Sciences.

The topic of the thesis, to be defined in collaboration with the candidate and the supervisor, will concern one of the research areas of the unit. Geomechanics is an area of particular interest, with topics such as constitutive laws for geomaterials, the stability of structures, the destructibility of rocks and the relationship between geology and geomechanics. The thesis could focus on rock destruction mechanisms, particularly in crushing processes, combining experimental and numerical approaches. A better understanding of the energy aspects linked to fragmentation positions this work at the core of current concerns in terms of sustainable development.

More details : Un assistant sous mandat (f/h/x) à temps plein au sein du Service Génie Minier / A full time mandate assistant (f/m/x) in the Mining Engineering Unit – Université de Mons