The section of Geo-Engineering at Delft University of Technology (The Netherlands) is searching for a postdoctoral researcher to enhance the understanding and the physical modelling of complex multi-physics of aging geotechnical structures, exploring scenarios of saturated and partially saturated soils subjected to gas generation and exsolution.

Geotechnical structures, like embankments, levees, dams, and landfills, experience a wide range of loads, from extreme short-term loading conditions to long-term climate-associated loading. In the long-term, the effect of these external loads leads to changes within the soil, varying the soil strength and modifying the soil phases (e.g. gas generation, soil cementing, grains breakage). Changes within the soil could lead to excessive deformations or even to failure of vital infrastructure. Physical modelling provides an opportunity for understanding the complex multi-physics of aging geotechnical structures, exploring scenarios of saturated and partially saturated soils subjected to gas generation and exsolution. This position aims at addressing the effects of these processes applied to slope stability and studying the coupled multi-physics of gas-liquid-solid interactions.

The postdoctoral project is expected to develop advanced research on:

1. The role of gas and fluid in a simple slope stability model
2. The scaling principles of fluid and gas within a physical model
3. The formulation of smart monitoring strategies for aging geotechnical structures

More information about the vacancy and the employment conditions can be found in this PDF FILE.

Are you interested in this vacancy? Please apply before 30 July 2022 via the TU Delft website (Job details (tudelft.nl)) and upload: a detailed CV, research statement (1 page maximum), a list of three relevant publications, cover letter (1 page maximum), and contact details of 2 referees.

For further information please contact:

Dr. Stefano Muraro   S.Muraro@tudelft.nl

Prof. Dr. Cristina Jommi  C.Jommi@tudelft.nl.

Polytechnique Montréal’s Department of Civil, Geological and Mining Engineering is looking for a person who has a particular interest in geostatistics as applied to one or more of the following specialties, but not limited to: Mineral resource assessment, hydrogeology, geophysics, environment, numerical modelling, machine learning or deep learning.

The candidate specializes in one or several of the aforementioned areas, and their research program uses both an experimental and/or modelling approach and in-situ investigation. Finally, the candidate should have an interest in developing interdisciplinary collaborations within and outside the Department of Civil, Geological and Mining Engineering.

START DATE: As soon as possible.

APPLICATIONS: Candidates are invited to submit an application file that includes:
• A cover letter
• A CV
• A statement of main achievements and teaching philosophy
• A statement of major research achievements and prospects
• Proof of university degrees
• Up to three significant contributions related to the position
• Teaching evaluations, if available

For more information about this position, please contact: Professor Richard Simon, Eng., PhD (candidaturescgm@polymtl.ca). We encourage all qualified applicants to apply. In accordance with immigration rules, priority will be given to Canadians and permanent residents.

More information on this pdf file.

Two 4-year PhD positions on the research project “Creep Failure of Landslides in Partially Saturated Soil (CREPASS)” funded by the Austrian Science Fund (FWF) is now open at Institute of Geotechnical Engineering, Universität für Bodenkultur Wien (BOKU), Vienna, Austria.

Two PhD students will be recruited for this project. The successful candidate for Position 1 will perform experimental investigation, including (i) carrying out field work, including field survey of selected slow-moving landslide, in-situ creep tests, and sample gathering; (ii) performing laboratory soil testing, e.g., suction-controlled triaxial creep tests and ring-shear creep tests. The successful candidate for Position 2 will perform numerical simulation, including (i) developing a hypoplastic constitutive model to include both time-dependency and unsaturation effects; (ii) developing a numerical model advanced by phase-field to simulate localized failure of unsaturated slopes.

The potential candidates are required to have a Master’s degree in civil engineering or geology engineering with specialisation in geotechnics or related area. Candidates from other scientific disciplines with experience in scientific testing are also welcome. Demonstrated laboratory experience is required for position 1. Demonstrated experience in undertaking research in the fields of constitutive modelling, finite element method, and/or multiscale modelling is required for position 2. Furthermore, demonstrated programming skills (C/C++/CUDA preferred) or field testing is a plus.

Project starting date: 01.10.2022 for a total duration of four years.

Gross salary per month: EUR 2,300.30 (14 months for one year).

Supervision: Prof. Dr. -Ing Wei Wu.

Application deadline: 30.07.2022

How to apply?

Please send your application to the Institute of Geotechnical Engineering at geotech@boku.ac.at with the subject “CREPASS-Position 1” or “CREPASS-Position 2” alongside with the following documents:

(1) A detailed curriculum vitae or resume outlining the academic and industry achievements and the educational background. A list of publications and completed projects or products should be included if applicable

(2) A short cover letter of maximum one page introducing yourself and describing how the position matches your skills and interests

More information on this pdf file.

Two PhD positions on geotechnical engineering topics are now open at University of Genoa.

Applications are welcome to apply for the following projects: PILATUS and MATER.

PILATUS (PIles under LATeral loading in Unsaturated Soils): The main objective of this doctoral project is to explore the influence of unsaturated soils on the behaviour of laterally loaded piles. The PhD candidate will develop a theoretical and numerical framework under supervision of Dr Leonardo M Lalicata and Pr. Dr. Domenico Gallipoli (University of Genoa).

MATER (Innovative Earthen Materials for Residential Buildings): The project aims to a better understanding of the hygro-thermal-mechanical (HTM) coupling in rammed earth materials. Rammed earth represents a viable and more environmentally friendly construction material compared to the traditional industrial ones such as steel and concrete. The PhD candidate will develop experimental and theoretical work under the supervision of Dr Leonardo M Lalicata and Pr. Dr. Domenico Gallipoli (University of Genoa).

We are looking forward to receiving applications from highly-motivated and curious candidates with a Master’s degree (or equivalent) in civil engineering with a specialisation in geomechanics, geotechnics or other relevant fields. The position is funded for 3 years commencing on 01 November 2022.

Deadline for application: June 30, 2022

Candidates can find more details on the project and submit their applications via the following link: http://dottorato.dicca.unige.it/eng/
Contact details for further information: leonardo.lalicata@unige.it

A 24 months post-doc position is available at INRIA Grenoble on numerical methods (MPM and DEM) for gravity flows in mountains.

More details here: https://jobs.inria.fr/public/classic/en/offres/2022-05100

A 1-year post-doctoral position is available for developing a 3D coupled model of creeping snow. This position is part of a project which final goal is to improve the design of snow avalanches protective structures. Indeed, these structures are confronted with the change in snow mantle mechanical characteristics resulting from climate change.

This position is proposed by ETNA-INRAE and 3SR, both located in Grenoble, and is funded by TEC21.

The attached document gives further details on the context and aim of this position, together the required qualifications for applying.

Interested people are invited to apply via the platform: https://academicpositions.com/ad/universite-grenoble-alpes/2022/post-doctoral-position-creeping-snow-modelling-the-force-induced-on-structures/181144

A PhD position on the hydromechanical behaviour of argillite-based sealing materials is now open at Université de Lorraine (France).

PhD works will be of experimental and numerical nature, relying on state-of-the art laboratory equipment and numerical modelling resources of LEMTA. The work will also benefit of cooperation with ANDRA and other institutions. The development of in-situ experimentation at Bure underground laboratory is also an objective of the PhD work.
Candidates must own, at the time of the start of the PhD, a Master Degree in Civil, Geotechnical or Geological engineering, and have a strong interest in Mechanics of Geomaterials.

Knowledge of the French language is not mandatory. The PhD thesis can be written in English.

Starting date: October or November 2022 for a total duration of three years

How to apply?
Send by e-mail before 1 July 2022 a CV (2 pages max), if available a copy of the Master thesis, any relevant publication, full certified transcripts, and the name of one referee to both supervisors: Prof. Olivier Cuisinier (Olivier.Cuisinier@univ-lorraine.fr) and Prof. Farimah Masrouri (Farimah.Masrouri@univ-lorraine.fr).

More information on this pdf file.

An industrial PhD position on bio-based stabilisation of problematic soils is now open at University of Genoa and Envirosoil Remediation Ltd.

Applications are welcome for an industrial PhD position between the University of Genoa (Italy) and Envirosoil Remediation Limited (United Kingdom). The main objective of this doctoral project is to devise sustainable bio-based stabilisations for problematic soils (e.g. swelling or collapsible soils, sulphate-rich soils, etc.) to enhance the resilience of infrastructure earthworks (such as dams, embankments) subjected to extreme rainfall events. The PhD candidate will develop experimental work at different scales: both mineralogical characterisation and hydromechanical testing will be performed at the University of Genoa while field applications will be carried out on sites selected by the company Envirosoil Remediation Limited.

We are looking forward to receiving applications from highly-motivated and curious candidates with a Master’s degree (or equivalent) in civil engineering with a specialisation in geomechanics, geochemistry or other relevant fields. The position is funded for 3 years commencing on 01 November 2022.

The Successful Applicant will work under the supervision of Dr Agostino Walter Bruno and Pr Domenico Gallipoli (University of Genoa) and Dr Adrian de Paoli (Envirosoil Remediation Limited). After PhD graduation, future employment of the Successful Applicant at the company Envirosoil Remediation Limited will be considered.

Candidates can find more details on the project and submit their applications via the following link: http://dottorato.dicca.unige.it/eng/
Contact details for further information: agostinowalter.bruno@unige.it

We are pleased to announce that our 2nd call to access EXCITE facilities is now open. The call will be open for proposals from 1^st of June until the 31^th of August 2022, projects accepted will take place between November 2022 and April 2023.

The EXCITE TNA programme will provide coordinated access to 24 imaging facilities in nine countries to researchers of any level. The call information is available on the EXCITE website and applicants can submit their proposals using the online application procedure as described here. Proposal selection will be carried out on the basis of the technical feasibility, and scientific quality of the proposals, this latter carried out by a panel of EM and X-ray microscopy experts, external to EXCITE.

We are particularly welcoming applications from candidates who have a strong background in rock mechanics, with a focus on the laboratory as well as the engineered reservoir scale and show an understanding of coupled thermal-hydro-mechanical-chemical (THMC) processes in subsurface reservoirs across multiple scales by integrating laboratory and field data.

The new appointment will help to further develop Heriot-Watt University’s international leadership in laboratory, field, and simulation studies related to geoenergy applications and applied geoscience for geoenergy applications, such as geothermal, carbon capture and storage or energy storage. The successful candidate will be expected to develop an independent research agenda as part of the vibrant Geoenergy Research Group, focussed on understanding, quantifying, and modelling the relevant geoscientific processes of deep reservoirs in the Earth’s crust. The candidate will also contribute to post-graduate as well as a practice-oriented teaching in their respective field.

The successful candidate will have a strong academic track record, especially with respect to publications and securing independent funding. Geoscientists with a current private-sector or academic background are equally encouraged to apply. The new Assistant/Associate Professor will foster links between fundamental geoscience research and its practical application by government and industrial stakeholders and is expected to take an active role in pilot/demonstration projects under development in the UK and worldwide.

The appointment will complement, and create new synergies with, existing staff at the Lyell Centre, the Institute of GeoEnergy Engineering (IGE) and the British Geological Survey (BGS). A close cooperation with these institutes is expected, building on their world-class expertise in the fields of applied geoscience, reservoir modelling and characterisation, reservoir simulation, and reservoir monitoring.

Link to full details:

https://enzj.fa.em3.oraclecloud.com/hcmUI/CandidateExperience/en/sites/CX/job/2154/?utm_medium=jobshare

Further information:

Please submit your application via the Heriot-Watt on-line recruitment system and include (1) Cover letter describing your interest and suitability for the post referring to the essential and desirable criteria. (2) Full CV that includes the list of publications. (3) Research and teaching statements, showing your strengths in one or more of the research areas above.

For informal discussions about the position please contact Professor Andreas Busch, A.Busch@hw.ac.uk .

Please contact Yvonne Constantino, y.constantino@hw.ac.uk should you have any difficulties applying or have any questions.