The Geomechanics & Geotechnical Engineering research group at Chalmers, led by Prof. Minna Karstunen, is looking for a motivated and talented individual for the position of PhD researcher in a Chalmers-NCC joint industry research project on geothermal foundations on soft clays funded by FORMAS (http://www.formas.se/en/) and SBUF (http://www.sbuf.se/).
The aim of the project is to study the long-term effects of cyclic loading caused by geothermal installations, such as geothermal piles, on soft clays. The project considers the thermal contraction and expansion of energy piles, and the resulting stresses, with a focus on pile-soil interaction in Swedish soft soil conditions. The PhD student will focus on the constitutive modelling of thermal load cycles in soft clay using an existing in-house model as a starting point. The applicant is also expected to contribute to the education at undergraduate or MSc level (up to 20% of their time) and various administrative activities within the group. The position is a full-time temporary employment. The position is limited to a maximum of five years.

Qualifications
To qualify as a PhD student, you must have a Master’s level degree corresponding to at least 240 ECTS credits in Civil Engineering or other relevant field. The applicants must have a strong background in geotechnics with experience in constitutive modelling. Additional experience with geothermal modelling is considered beneficial. The applicants are expected to be proficient in English (both verbal and written communication) in order to work efficiently in an English speaking research environment. Fluency is Swedish would be an additional merit.

For more details on the position and how to apply, see: http://www.chalmers.se/en/about-chalmers/vacancies/?rmpage=job&rmjob=1946

Dead-line for applications March 6, 2014.