PhD Position: Microcracking Prediction in Refractory Materials

PhD position within the European REFFRACTEUR network focusing on the development of a virtual laboratory for predicting microcracking in refractory materials (PhD 07). The project aims to model thermomechanical behavior and damage in relation to the microstructure. The work combines advanced numerical simulation with experimental validation. The developments will be integrated into the DEM software GranOO and will contribute to digital twin approaches. The doctoral researcher will be based between IRCER (Limoges – France) and the industrial partner Imerys (Lyon – France). Due to the mobility rules of the European REFFRACTEUR program, candidates must not have resided in France for more than 12 months during the past 3 years.

REFFRACTEUR project website: https://www.reffracteur.eu

For further information, see the attached [PDF].

4 Year post-doctoral position within REACH-UPPA

REACH-UPPA is an ambitious programme hiring 10 international and highly skilled postdoctoral researchers (PDRs).
UPPA, a mid-size university in the south-west of France, recognized with the French excellence university label I-Site (Initiatives-Science – Innovation –Territoires – Economie), has imagined REACH-UPPA keeping in mind the possibilities and significant impact that the recruitment of talented researchers will have in the hosting research units, the University and the territory whilst boosting their own career advancement towards excellence.
Durability and optimization of engineered structures is one of the targeted fields for recruitments, with a focus on the mechanics of geomaterials, geostructures and civil infrastructures.

For details, see https://www.univ-pau.fr/reach-uppa

For further information, see the attached [PDF].

LARAM School 2026, 7-18 September 2026 – Lausanne (Switzerland)

The LARAM School 2026 will be held from Monday, 7 to Friday, 18 September, in person @ Lausanne.
From 9:00 a.m. to 5 p.m. CET, each day.

PROGRAMME
– https://www.laram.unisa.it/school/2026/programme

As traditionally done, the LARAM School will be based on:
• an international application call,
• the selection among the applicants,
• the final certificate of attendance to the students,
• mandatory interactive participation of the students (to receive the end-of-School certificate).

PARTICIPANTS
• 40 selected PhD students
• 10 registered Young Doctors (PhD defended not before 2021)

REGISTRATION FEE
• PhD students: 500 CHF
• Young Doctors: 500 CHF

APPLICATION
• Application of PhD students: https://www.laram.unisa.it/school/2026/application_phd_students
• Registration of Young Doctors (PhD defended not before 2020):
https://www.laram.unisa.it/school/2026/registration_young_doctors
• DEADLINE: 30 May 2026

For further information, see the attached [PDF].

PhD Position in Next-Generation High-Resolution Seismic Hazard Maps with Site Amplification and SSI

Prof. Marco Broccardo and Dr. Davide Noè Gorini at the University of Trento are seeking a highly motivated PhD candidate to work on next-generation high-resolution seismic hazard maps.
The research will advance beyond conventional regional hazard products by integrating probabilistic seismic hazard analysis, microzonation-informed local geology, nonlinear site response and full integration of dynamic Soil-Structure Interaction (SSI) with complete treatment of uncertainties at all levels. A specific focus is on the regional scale analysis of SSI through a novel analytical and numerical framework simulating both frequency and nonlinear effects. The overall goal is to produce high-resolution hazard maps and practical tools that better represent the physical processes controlling ground motion and maximalizing the local information.

For further information, see the attached [PDF].

PhD position in geotechnics at Ifremer, France

Free gas can significantly alter the hydro-mechanical properties of marine sediment, leading to increased compressibility, reduced shear strength, and disrupted permeability. However, its potential role as a hazard to the foundations and structures of offshore wind turbines is often overlooked in calculation standards and foundation design protocols. The degradation caused by the presence of free gas may occur during the installation phase as well as throughout the operational lifespan of a wind turbine.

The PhD will focus on:
-the effect of gas on the static and cyclic response of clayey and silty sediments,
-impact of gas in sediment on the installation and stability of pile and suction anchor foundations,
-develop practical design guidelines for offshore wind foundations accounting for gas effects.

ERAXESS Application
https://euraxess.ec.europa.eu/jobs/427072
Application Deadline: 8 May 2026 – 23:59 (Europe/Paris)

For further information, see the attached [PDF].

Reminder: Call for Abstracts – ALERT Workshop and Poster Session 2026

Abstract submissions for the Workshop and Poster Sessions of ALERT Geomaterials annual meeting are now open!

The next ALERT Geomaterials annual meeting will take place from September 28th to September 30th, 2026, at the Centre Paul Langevin in Aussois, France.

More details about the sessions and the organizers are available here.

For submitting your abstract to either the Workshop or the Poster Session use the form.

Abstract submission deadline: 15 May 2026.

Due to the limited time available for presentations, only a selection of the submitted abstracts will be chosen for oral presentations. 

For any inquiries regarding your participation or further information about the sessions, please contact the respective session coordinators directly.

We look forward to your contributions!

PhD position in granular mechanics at Technische Universität Braunschweig (TU Braunschweig), Germany

The Institute of Geomechanics and Geotechnical Engineering (IGG) at TU Braunschweig, Germany, is searching for a PhD student to investigate granular mechanics experimentally and numerically within the project “Digital Sand: On the investigation of the mechanical behaviour of granular soils by linking in situ X-ray CT experiments and numerical simulations”, funded for three years by the German Research Foundation (Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft, DFG). Applicants should have a background in civil engineering, in process engineering or in granular physics.

More information about this job advertisement and about the project can be found via the following weblink:

https://www.tu-braunschweig.de/en/vacancies/templates/job-offer-normal-german-english-1-3-9

For further information, see the attached [PDF].

Assistant Professor – Advancing materials for a sustainable future

Chalmers seeks curious, creative and highly promising individuals to join us as tenure-track Assistant Professors. Materials science plays a key role in addressing many of today’s societal challenges, from sustainable energy systems and healthcare solutions to circular use of resources and advanced manufacturing. By understanding and designing materials with tailored properties, researchers enable technological innovations that support a sustainable future.

Chalmers will recruit one Assistant Professor in Materials Science. The successful candidate is expected to contribute to research and education in advanced materials and to strengthen our interdisciplinary research environment, addressing key challenges related to sustainable energy systems, health applications and the green transition.

For details, see https://www.chalmers.se/en/about-chalmers/work-with-us/vacancies/ under BUL7.

Multiple Postdoc and PhD Positions in Frozen Soil and Permafrost Modelling at Carleton U., Canada

We have multiple postdoctoral and PhD positions at Carleton University in geomechanics of frozen soils and permafrost modelling.

These positions are part of a collaborative research program with Dr Stephan Gruber, with topics including:
– Constitutive modelling of frozen soils and permafrost
– THM computational modelling of permafrost
– THM response of infrastructure in permafrost environments

The positions are based in Ottawa, available immediately, and will remain open until filled. PhD positions are fully funded for 4 years.

Important: For postdoctoral positions, the successful candidate must be eligible to work in Canada.

Please see the attached PDF for details on how to apply.

For further information, see the attached [PDF].