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].

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].

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].

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.

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].

Context & Objectives
The ASNR conducts research on nuclear safety, including the behavior of reactor containment structures under severe accident conditions (high pressure and temperature). This PhD aims to develop and validate a thermo-hydro-mechanical (THM) poro-mechanical model of concrete to assess its leak-tightness.

Research Work

Develop and adapt a poro-mechanical model based on existing approaches
Perform probabilistic sensitivity analyses (e.g., Sobol, HSIC)
Calibrate using experimental data from I2M and validate with neutron tomography at Institut Laue Langevin
Implement in Cast3M and assess performance at structural scale

Profile
MSc/Engineering degree in civil engineering, materials, or mechanics; strong numerical skills; interest in experiments and probabilistic methods.

More information Here (in French) https://asnr-career.talent-soft.com/offre-de-emploi/emploi–comportement-thm-du-beton-en-accident-grave-selon-une-approche-poro-mecanique-th-exp26-3-h-f_1494.aspx

A PhD position sponsored by Rio Tinto is available in the Sydney Centre in Geomechanics and Mining Materials (SciGEM) at The University of Sydney on heterarchical stochastic modelling of granular media. The project will use coupled CFD with a stochastic model of granular flow that includes segregation and mixing. The model will be applied to understand the motion of fine particles in large storage systems with an industrial partner, Rio Tinto. This will also involve travel and time with this company. At SciGEM you will join an amazing team of researchers in the area of granular physics, geomechanics and mineral processing.

Funding is available for 3.5 years. Applicants should have a background in civil engineering, mechanical engineering, physics, computer science or a related field. Applications close 1 May 2026.

Please contact Professor Itai Einav (itai.einav@sydney.edu.au) for more information or to apply with CV and cover letter.

At INSA Strasbourg / ICube-GC-E, we are looking for a motivated candidate for the PhD position titled “Multiscale Numerical Simulation of Tire–Pavement Contact for the Study of Degradation in Low-Carbon Road Infrastructures.”

This project develops a multiscale 3D modeling framework, combining DEM and FEM approaches, to simulate tire–pavement interactions and assess the durability of low-carbon asphalt materials with high RAP content. Calibrated with experimental data from the ANR Binary project, it aims to provide predictive models of wear and degradation for sustainable road design.

Applicants should hold a Master’s degree in numerical mechanics or civil engineering and have expertise in DEM/FEM simulation, continuum mechanics, material behavior, and structural modeling. Basic Python skills are a plus.

Supervisor: Juan Carlos Quezada (Associate professor – HDR)

See the attached PDF for more information on how to apply.

For further information, see the attached [PDF].

We offer a PhD position at the 3SR laboratory in Grenoble as part of a collaborative ANR project involving three French institutions (UGA, Centrale Nantes, and École des Ponts) and three international partners (University of Liège, University of Strathclyde (Glasgow), and the University of Queensland in Australia).

The PhD proposal focuses on the modelling of hydro-chemical degradation processes in cap rocks and their impact on the long-term stability of CO2 sequestration in saline aquifers. The main objective of the project is to quantify the risk of CO2 leakage induced by the dissolution of calcite present in the rock, using two-scale finite element modelling.

this project will be carried out in close collaboration with another PhD project (also at 3SR and already filled) that addresses the same issue from an experimental perspective.

For further information, please refer to the attached description and feel free to contact us.

Kind regards,

Quentin Rousseau & Pierre Bésuelle

For further information, see the attached [PDF].

At Université Gustave Eiffel (Champs-sur-Marne, Paris region, France), we have an open call for a PhD position titled “Pore Network Modeling of Multiphase Flow in CO₂–Water–Rock Systems under Variable Thermodynamic and Flow Regimes.”

CO₂ injection in aquifers poses scientific challenges related to multiphase flow behavior, which depends on thermodynamic conditions and flow regimes. This PhD project aims to develop predictive pore network models integrated with thermodynamics and upscaling methods toward reservoir-scale applications.

We seek candidates with a strong background in reservoir engineering, geosciences, geotechnical engineering, or related fields. Experience in numerical modeling of flow in porous media and programming skills is highly desirable.

Supervisors: Ana Loyola, Philipp Braun, and Amade Pouya.
Interested candidates should contact the supervisors by April 18. See the attached pdf for more information on how to apply.

For further information, see the attached [PDF].