This 4-year fully-funded PhD project will have a focus on developing conceptual and numerical models of coupled thermo-hydro-mechanical processes in crystalline, fractured rock masses with and specifically on applications in order to characterize, predict, and value frost damage in tunnels that are exposed to cyclic frost periods. The model will be verified against analytical solutions and validated against experimental data from field and laboratories. The overarching goal of the study is to improve the understanding of the mechanisms of frost-induced damage and splitting of rockblocks and shotcrete materials in tunnels. In addition to working at Uppsala University, the PhD candidate will have an opportunity to interact closely with the rock engineering industry and collaborate with other PhD students within Swedish Rock Engineering Research Foundation.

More details on this pdf file.

The Geo-Energy Lab at EPFL, led by Prof. Lecampion, is seeking a highly motivated Postdoctoral Researcher with expertise in rock physics and rock mechanics. This position is designed to strengthen the connection between observational data and theory, with a focus on practical applications in the field of geo-energy (Geothermal, CCS).

The successful candidate will primarily focus on two key objectives: (i) advancing the setup and analysis of the lab’s centimeter-scale, fluid-driven rupture experiments, and (ii) strengthening the connection between observations (such as AE statistics, post-test CT scans, etc.) and the theoretical models developed within the lab. Proficiency in modern experimental techniques in rock mechanics, particularly acoustic methods for monitoring ruptures in geomaterials, is essential. In addition to actively contributing to ongoing projects (notably related to thermal energy storage), the candidate is also expected to develop new research initiatives in the field of rock failure induced by pore fluids.

The position is originally for one year with possible extensions up to four years.

More information on this pdf file. 

Following a successful recruitment round this Spring the Geotechnics Section at Imperial College London is now looking for another new colleague.  We are particularly interested in candidates whose research can (i) address the challenges of delivering low carbon energy, (ii) mitigate the risks posed by climate change, (iii) contribute to develop sustainable resilient infrastructure, or (iv) address the UN sustainable development goals.  The successful candidate will plan, resource, and direct an original and impacting research programme in Geotechnical Engineering, conducting research projects on your own and developing collaborative projects with other members of the Department and College and with external collaborators.  The successful candidate will also contribute to undergraduate and taught postgraduate teaching in soil mechanics / geotechnical engineering, considering our cluster of MSc Courses in Geotechnical Engineering in particular.  As the position is being advertised at all levels, there are two separate advertisements (one for Lecturer/Senior Lecturer level and one for Reader/Professor Level).

Lecturer/Senior Lecturer

https://www.imperial.ac.uk/jobs/search-jobs/description/index.php?jobId=20433&jobTitle=Lecturer%2FSenior+Lecturer+in+Geotechnical+Engineering

Reader/Professor

https://www.imperial.ac.uk/jobs/search-jobs/description/index.php?jobId=20435&jobTitle=Reader%2FProfessor+in+Geotechnical+Engineering

Catherine O’Sullivan is happy to answer questions informally in advance of the closing date for applications (Sept. 30^th) (cath.osullivan@imperial.ac.uk).

University Professor (Salary Scale W3 NBesG) (m/f/d) ” Surface Mining and Geotechnics “ at the Institute of Geotechnology and Mineral Resources starting from 01.10.2026

The individual to be appointed must be identified by outstanding research accomplishments in at least one of the following areas:

• Extraction of domestic mineral raw materials with special emphasis on industrial minerals and construction raw materials
• Optimization of raw material yield and reduction of unproductive masses in the extraction of mineral raw materials in open pit mines
• Recultivation and design of post-mining landscapes including the sustainable protection of open pit and dump slopes and of infrastructures
• Design and implementation of procedures and solutions for the optimization of machines and processes in open pit mines
• Development of effective and efficient measurement and evaluation methods in the field of geotechnical monitoring of open pit slopes and dumps

The applicant must have experience in the extraction of raw materials in open pit mining and geotechnical processes and be internationally oriented. In particular, experience in the extraction of mineral raw materials in open pit mines and raw material-related geotechnical processes is expected. Likewise, teaching in the basic mining and geotechnical subjects must be designed and offered.

The link is:

https://www.tu-clausthal.de/en/university/careers-vocational-training/job-offers/professorship/university-professor-salary-scale-w3-nbesg-m/f/d

University Professor (Salary Scale W2/W3 NBesG) (m/f/d) ”Safe use of underground space“ at the Institute of Geotechnology and Mineral Resources starting from 01.04.2025

The individual to be appointed must be identified by outstanding research accomplishments in at least one of the following areas:

• Risk assessment for underground applications (disposal, storage of CO2 and energy, energy and raw material extraction)
• Environmental safety
• Methodology of safety analysis
• Analytical assessment of the long-term behavior of geotechnical barriers
• Probabilistic methods and sensitivity analysis

The applicant must have experience in risk analysis for underground applications and be internationally oriented. In particular, experience in nuclear waste disposal is expected. Experience with sociotechnical issues and holistic planning and governance is an advantage. Likewise, teaching on the safety and risk assessment of uses of underground space and their scientific, mathematical and technical foundations must be designed and offered.

The link is:

The Chair of Geotechnics at the Bauhaus-University Weimar is seeking a dedicated scientific staff member (m/f/d). This full-time position (TV-L E13), initially limited to 36 months with a possibility of extension, involves teaching and research in geotechnics, particularly focusing on numerical methods for the simulation of the installation of foundations for offshore wind turbines. The role offers the opportunity to pursue a doctorate and work in a flexible, interdisciplinary environment. Applicants should have a Master’s degree in civil engineering with a specialization in geotechnics, experience with numerical calculations and simulation software, and strong English skills.

Find the full description of the position here.

Offshore Wind is a stronghold of innovative developments in foundation technologies. Offshore foundations combine the experience of structural engineers with geotechnical engineering. Installation methodology, cyclic loading, fatigue, buckling, installation and operation, repair and strengthening as well as interdisciplinary thinking characterise the task. We offer a great team, development opportunities as a researcher, experimental and numerical research opportunities, a permanent position.

More details under this link:

https://recruitingapp-5507.de.umantis.com/Vacancies/1893/Description/2?lang=eng

Project description: Many kilometres of underground infrastructure in a large-scale network (e.g., tunnel, pipelines) may heavily encounter performance degradations during long-term service. In the past, the resultant structural condition data, historical borehole logs and relevant hydrogeological reports have been used to evaluate the long-term structure serviceability. However, hydrogeology uncertainty and variation along the tunnel infrastructure present a significant challenge to the understanding of ground-tunnel interaction on a very large city scale. This research postgraduate student project will specifically address the impact of hydrogeology spatiotemporal variation on large-scale tunnel infrastructure over many kilometres using cutting-edge computer vision models and machine learning algorithms. The research outcome aims to give more insights into large-scale tunnel design and maintenance using big data analytics along with geoengineering knowledge than previously available by conventional methods.

Position Description: In this project, the research master will focus on hydrogeological data transformation, and interpretation. The one-year research master (may be extended to a PhD position) will be based at UCC. She/he will undertake this CERN project along with another research master, a Postdoc under the joint supervision of CERN and UCC.

Candidate Experience: The postgraduate student candidate should have a minimum 2.1 in an honours Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering / Computer Science, or an equivalent standard from an overseas university. The postgraduate student whose first language is not English must provide evidence of English language proficiency (e.g. IELTS or TOEFL) according to UCC entry requirement.  Some experience in structural health monitoring and machine learning would be an advantage.

Application:

• Master / PhD student applicant

Please e-mail a CV (max. 2 pages) and a cover letter outlining your experience and motivation to Dr. Zili Li (zili.li@ucc.ie). Early application is highly encouraged.

Delft University of Technology is seeking candidates for a new Assistant or Associate Professor of Geotechnical Uncertainty.

There is an increasing need to quantify the performance of geotechnical structures and infrastructures within a reliability-based framework, so that risks can be explicitly quantified for guiding effective mitigation measures. Of fundamental importance is the need to understand uncertainties and their impacts at the soil mechanical behaviour level and at the geotechnical site level, as an essential precursor to reducing the uncertainty in soil mechanical response as well as to understanding uncertainty propagation to the structure level.

The position is proposed to investigate soil mechanical material behaviour and geotechnical structure response, accounting for uncertainties relating to, for example, data, measurements, statistics, transformation from measured data to derived properties, and external (including environmental) loadings. The position takes into consideration the random, spatial and systematic components of uncertainty, as well as uncertainties relating to the cross-correlations of material properties, and it develops new solutions to better control and reduce the geotechnical uncertainty and risk in geotechnical assessments and construction processes.

More details can be found at link.

Last day for applications: 15 September 2024.

What:     PhD call
Where:    Napoli, Italy
Duration: 4 years
Salary:   € 19,000 yearly
Deadline: 20/08/2024 – 23:59 CEST
Website: 
https://www.ssmeridionale.it/avcp/bando-di-concorso-xl-ciclo-dottorato-ssm/
Contatct details: merc@ssmeridionale.it

A call for applications for 10 Doctoral Programs has been announced by the Scuola Superiore Meridionale (SSM) in Naples (Italy). Specifically, the program, titled Modeling and Engineering Risk and Complexity (MERC), emphasizes an interdisciplinary approach to studying and managing complex systems, designing and engineering resilient systems, and analyzing and managing risks and cascading effects. Within this context, geotechnical methods can be utilized to address hazard assessments related to landslides, seismic site responses, and other issues.

Detailed hazard assessments can be further integrated into risk analyses for structures and lifelines to evaluate both their serviceability and ultimate state. This can also lead to the development of risk mitigation strategies through a decision support system.

Please find enclosed two PDF files about the PhD scholarship (10 Programs), including detailed information about the MERC (Modeling and Engineering Risk and Complexity) program.