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

Modeling of granular media with electrostatic interactions

In granular materials composed of sub-millimeter particles, electrostatic charges can arise due to multiple contacts and friction. These charges result in attractive or repulsive interactions, playing a significant role in flow behavior and agglomeration phenomena [1]. Electrostatic interactions often have a negative impact on powder processing operations, due to issues such as particle agglomeration, dust accumulation on surfaces, or equipment clogging. These effects are also critical in space exploration, where in the absence of water, fine particles easily adhere to measuring instruments, impairing their functionality.

Project: Modelling of fracturing mechanisms in unconsolidated sand reservoirs under fluid injection
Research Unit : Laboratoire Navier, Ecole des Ponts ParisTech
Industrial partner: TotalEnergy
Duration: 24 months
Project start date: September 2025 (possibly earlier)

Context:
In hydrocarbons producing fields, Produced Water Re-Injection (PWRI) is known as an economically attractive and environmentally friendly method to manage the produced water. This method has the advantage to maintain the pressure level in the reservoir in order to enhance the hydrocarbon production. However, this technique faces challenges such as the deterioration of the injectivity due to the filtration, around the injection well, of suspended solid particles contained in the produced water. Re-injection in the so-called ‘fracturing regime’ is an option to maintain the injectivity by fracturing the clogged zone formed by the agglomeration of fine particles at the face of the injected formation. However, controlling the injection in the fracturing regime is a key issue for the safety of the production as fracturing should not deteriorate the cap rock integrity.

Hydraulic fracturing has been extensively studied for brittle rocks with low permeability and is dominated by tensile failure. However, the mechanisms involved in fracturing of unconsolidated reservoirs which behave as cohesionless granular materials are fundamentally different and are controlled by shear failure, fluidization and induced channelization around the injection point.

For further information, please refer to the attached document.

Join the Strategic Project of NGI “Rock-Off” project and help shape the future of offshore wind energy.

Are you a curious and motivated engineer with a PhD (or nearing completion) in geotechnical or rock engineering? Do you want to combine cutting-edge research with real-world impact? NGI (Norwegian Geotechnical Institute) is looking for a talented Research Fellow to join our exciting “Rock-Off” initiative—focused on pile foundations in soft rock for offshore wind turbines.

This is your chance to plug into a high-impact research environment with strong industry connections and a supportive, inclusive culture.

You’ll be a key contributor in NGI’s strategic offshore wind research, working on geotechnical challenges that matter. The focus is on understanding and improving the performance of pile foundations in soft rock—a critical step toward reliable, sustainable offshore wind infrastructure.

More information and applications

https://candidate.hr-manager.net/ApplicationInit.aspx?cid=388&ProjectId=175861&DepartmentId=17357&MediaId=4181

Dear Colleagues,

A Tenure Track position is opening in Grenoble (France) in 2025 at CNRS and 3SR Laboratory, with the profile “Ecomaterials and Biosourced Materials”.
The description of the position is available here:
https://emploi.cnrs.fr/Offres/CPJ/CPJ-2025-016/Default.aspx?lang=EN

The deadline for applications is 14 July.

Please do not hesitate to contact us for further information (direction@3sr-grenoble.fr), to discuss a possible application and/or to forward this information to potentially interested people.

Best regards,
Luc

Dear colleagues,

A postdoc position is opened at 3SR Laboratory (University Grenoble Alpes, France). Candidates should propose their own research project in the domain of “Mechanics of materials and structures: multiscale approaches and/or AI-based approaches”. The detailed information is given in the attached document.

We are looking for experienced candidates who obtained their PhD a couple of years ago. Interested candidates should contact me so that I can explain them better the application process.

Best regards,
Luc Sibille