Open Geomechanics now Q1-Q2 journal for French academic career

Posted on May 27, 2026 by Clément Rey

Open Geomechanics, a diamond open access journal started in 2018, is well known in the ALERT-Geomaterials community (https://opengeomechanics.centre-mersenne.org/).
Submissions are welcome from everyone.

We are happy to announce that since January, the French CNU section 60 recognizes Open Geomechanics as a Q1-Q2 journal. In short, this means that if you are interested in a career in a French university, publishing your work in this venue counts as much as publishing in any other established top-tier journal in our field.

Read the official decision here: https://conseil-national-des-universites.fr/data/document/4256/2947/Public/Compte-rendus-2026/CR_2026-01-22-AG.pdf

Edward and Cino, for the editorial board of Open Geomechanics

PhD Position in Multiphysics Modelling of Rock Cliff Damage at UPPA-LFCR, Anglet, France

Posted on May 22, 2026 by Clément Rey

A 3-year PhD position is available in the team Mécanique et Physique en Milieux Poreux (MPPM) at the Laboratoire des Fluides Complexes et leurs Réservoirs (LFCR) of the Université de Pau et des Pays de l’Adour (UPPA) on the Anglet campus, located on the Basque coast in France.

The project consists of coupling X-ray CT image analysis with numerical modelling to understand the impact of salt crystallisation on rock cliff coastal erosion. Applicants should have a background in numerical mechanics, civil engineering, geomechanics, or a related field. Applications close on 31 May 2026.

This research will be supervised by David Grégoire (HDR) and Adriana Quacquarelli. For more information on the project and details on how to apply, please see the attached PDF.

For further information, see the attached [PDF].

Post-doctoral Fellowships in Machine Learning/Numerical Analysis in Geotechnical Engineering at SDU

Posted on May 19, 2026 by Clément Rey

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

For further information, see the attached [PDF].

Call for Workshop and Doctoral School Session Proposals

Posted on May 15, 2026 by Ioannis Stefanou

The ALERT Geomaterials Bureau is pleased to open the call for Workshop and/or Doctoral School session proposals for the ALERT Geomaterials Annual Meeting and OZ Summer School following this year’s meeting.

Proposals may be submitted between May 15 and September 15 here:
Workshop Sessions and Doctoral School Proposals

All submissions will be reviewed and discussed by the Board of Directors during
the next ALERT Geomaterials Annual Meeting. The Board will then decide which proposals are accepted. Proposals that are not selected must be resubmitted the following year if they are to be considered again.

[CFMR_jeunes workshop] THMCE: multiscale and coupled processes in evolving geomaterials

Posted on May 13, 2026 by Clément Rey

We are pleased to announce the upcoming technical workshop hosted by the young members group of the French Rock Mechanics Committee: CFMR_jeunes. This session will be dedicated to multiscale and multiphysics processes in geomaterials. Five young researchers and engineers will share their recent works in this domain.

The session will take place at École de Mines Paris – 60 Boulevard Saint Michel, 75006 Paris, on Thursday May 28th, from 2:30 pm to 5:15 pm and accessible online. Registration will be free.

Registration will be mandatory but free through the following link:
https://www.cfmr-roches.org/thmce-multiscale-and-coupled-processes-evolving-geomaterials

After registration, we will provide a link for online participation.

For further information, see the attached [PDF].

Two PhD Positions at Delft University of Technology

Posted on May 12, 2026 by Clément Rey

Delft University of Technology is seeking candidates for 2 new PhD positions within the national research program Digital Dikes.

One PhD position focuses on the Physical Modelling of Backward Erosion Piping (BEP), aiming to advance experimental approaches through novel laboratory setups and measurement techniques, with particular attention to three‑dimensional piping mechanisms. This project is jointly carried out at TU Delft and Deltares (application deadline: 14 June 2026).

The second PhD position uses the Random Finite Element Method (RFEM) to investigate the role of soil spatial variability on the initiation and progression of backward erosion piping under dikes (application deadline: 22 June 2026).

For further information, please contact Dr. M. Cabrera or Prof. M. Hicks (TU Delft) and follow the application process at www.careers.tudelft.nl

For further information, see the attached [PDF].

Postdoc Position in Rock Anchors for Offshore Renewable Energy at UCD

Posted on May 12, 2026 by Clément Rey

A two-year postdoctoral research position is available at the UCD School of Civil Engineering, University College Dublin, on Advanced Rock Anchoring for Offshore Renewable Energy (ARORE).

The project will advance the testing, modelling and design of rock anchor systems for offshore renewable energy infrastructure, with a focus on fractured bedrock conditions relevant to Irish offshore sites. The role will involve laboratory testing, static and cyclic loading tests, numerical modelling, and design-oriented interpretation of single and group rock anchor behaviour.

The position may be appointed at PD1 or PD2 level, depending on experience. The PD2 level requires at least two years of postdoctoral research experience. The project is funded by SEAI and will be carried out with Prof. Shane Donohue at UCD and industry partner Subsea Micropiles.

Please see the attached PD1 and PD2 job descriptions for details. Applications should be submitted via UCD Jobs: https://www.ucd.ie/workatucd/jobs/

For further information, see the attached [PDF].

Géotechnique themed issue on “Time-dependent soil behaviour in multi-coupled problems”

Posted on May 6, 2026 by Clément Rey

Dear all,

This is a reminder to encourage your contributions to a Géotechnique themed issue entitled: Time-dependent soil behaviour in multi-coupled problems: fundamentals and applications.

This themed issue invites contributions aimed at exploring viscous effects and soil structural evolutions taking place over time and impacting the performance of geotechnical structures and infrastructures throughout and beyond their design lifetime.

Full details can be found at the following link:
https://www.emeraldgrouppublishing.com/calls-for-papers/geotechnique-special-issue-time-dependent-soil-behaviour-multi-coupled-problems

The key deadlines include:
• Monday 18 May 2026 (abstract submissions) *** EXTENDED ***
• Monday 7 September 2026 (manuscript submissions)

With our kindest regards,

The Géotechnique Journal, Emerald Publishing

1st REDBACK symposium

Posted on May 6, 2026 by Clément Rey

We wish to invite you to the 1st REDBACK symposium that will take place at TU Delft on Monday 18th May. Please find the description below and the flyer that you can share around. Scan the QR code for free registration. We look forward to see you there.

The Finite Element simulation framework of Rock mEchanics with Dissipative feedBACKs (REDBACK) was developed over a decade ago by T. Poulet & M. Veveakis as a module of the MOOSE framework with the aim of enabling advanced geomechanics applications. Initially recognised for its capability of modelling fault reactivation using a fully coupled Thermo-Hydro-Mechanical-Chemical (THMC) approach, REDBACK has since expanded its scope, driven a growing diversity and number of users. We invite the community to come together for the 1st REDBACK Symposium, where users will present their latest research and exciting applications developed using the framework.

For further information, see the attached [PDF].

PhD Position: Microcracking Prediction in Refractory Materials

Posted on May 6, 2026 by Clément Rey

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].