Two PhD positions are opened at INRAE Aix-en-Provence France for next fall 2023.

PhD proposal on Flow kinematic in 3D porous media.

The research unit RECOVER from INRAE is pleased to invite applications of talented and motivated candidates for a PhD (3 years) dedicated to the experimental characterization of the flow kinematic within 3D porous media, to uncover the effect of local heterogeneities on transport processes.

The PhD is fully funded by the Department AQUA from INRAE, and is expected to start in October 2023 (with some flexibility), and the successful candidate will be supervised by Mathieu SOUZY and Pierre PHILIPPE.

More information is available here: https://nextcloud.inrae.fr/s/fPYyGJ7CEwt26k4 

Keywords: 3D porous media, experiments, direct visualization techniques, transport process, flow kinematic, pore scale

PhD proposal on multi-scale geomechanics: Advanced micromechanical models for poly-dispersed granular materials.

The research unit RECOVER from INRAE is pleased to invite applications of talented and motivated candidates for a PhD (3 years) dedicated to the development of a new class of multi-scale constitutive models for widely graded materials. This PhD proposal is part of project MiMoDiM (2022-2026) supported by the French National Research Agency (ANR): https://www6.paca.inrae.fr/recover/Nos-projets/MiMoDiM.

The PhD is expected to start in October 2023 (with some flexibility). The PhD candidate will be supersized by Antoine WAUTIER (INRAE), Mehdi POURAGHA (Carleton University), and François NICOT (USMB).

More information is available here: https://nextcloud.inrae.fr/s/MknE7NjGaE6s2rp 

Keywords: statistical homogenization, discrete element simulations, physics informed artificial neural networks, mechanical stability

Looking forward to received excellent applications!
Antoine Wautier and Mathieu Souzy

A PhD position is now open at University Gustave Eiffel, on “Tunnelling in urban areas: improvement of numerical simulations using hollow cylinder tests”.

This thesis work will be based on interactions with the rest of the ANR E-Pilot project
(whose program includes centrifuge modeling, experimentation and in-situ
instrumentation) and on the results obtained during the TULIP project.

More information on the attached pdf.

POSITION: Fixed term (3 years) Postdoctoral Research Fellow 

FACULTY: School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, UTS 

Base Salary Range: $112,310 to $132,925 pa (Level B), and this role attracts 17% superannuation (pension) in addition to the base salary. 

About the role: 

The School of Civil and Environmental Engineering is seeking a high-calibre candidate to work on a three-year project funded by the Australian Research Council Discovery Project “Modernise geotechnical investigation and analysis with deep learning” This role will work closely with the chief investigators on providing technical input to the project, supervising PhD students, and catalysing research outcomes. This role will contribute to developing the computational codes for all the algorithms and methods, including those related to machine learning methods, data assimilation, surrogate models for multiphase-multiphysics problems, Bayesian statistics and Bayesian optimisation. All these tasks require advanced technical knowledge and skills. 

Key responsibilities will include: 
• Conduct research on developing novel frameworks that integrate geotechnical investigation, soil models, data assimilation, and deep learning, to reduce the variability in geotechnical analyses and to rigorously quantify such variability for better risk control and decision making 
• Generate high-quality research publications and project reports 
• Assist in the supervision of HDR candidates and capstone projects 

About you 

As a Postdoctoral Research Fellow, you will have excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to work independently and as part of a team. To be successful in this role you will take responsibility for initiating and delivering research in relation to the research project activities. You will have demonstrated experience in geo-risk analysis and machine learning methods and knowledge of geomechanics and risk analysis. Other requirements will include: 
• PhD in Civil Engineering or a related field 
• Strong record of research achievement / publication track record. 

Please apply through the link before Tuesday, 11th April 2023 at 11.59pm (AEST) 

https://recruitment.uts.edu.au/OA_HTML/OA.jsp?OAFunc=IRC_VIS_VAC_DISPLAY&p_svid=236583&p_spid=8729792

A PhD position is now open at SCK CEN, on the subject of “Experimental and numerical characterisation of the mechanical anisotropic properties of Boom Clay”.

More details, as well as the application procedure, are available on the following website: https://www.sckcen.be/en/sck-cen-academy/thesis-and-internship-topics/experimental-and-numerical-characterisation-mechanical-anisotropic-properties-boom-clay-3225

A PhD position is available at the Laboratory of Soil Mechanics (LMS) at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology, EPFL, Lausanne.

The objective of the research project is to enhance current numerical tools for assessing the geomechanical impact of CO2 injection in deep saline aquifers.

More information can be found on the following page: https://www.epfl.ch/labs/lms/phd-position/

Outstanding and interested candidates are encouraged to send their motivation letter and CV to recruitment.lms@epfl.ch. Applications will be evaluated until the position is filled.

Applications are welcome for a fully funded, 3.5-year, PhD position on the role of soil’s thermal conductivity for the efficiency of shallow geothermal energy systems at Heriot-Watt University.

Detailed information on the project and the application form can be found below:

https://www.hw.ac.uk/uk/schools/energy-geoscience-infrastructure-society/postgraduate-research/from-shallow-geothermal-energy-systems-to-our-buildings-the.htm

The scholarship is available to both Home and Overseas students.

Further enquiries on the vacancies can be directed to Dr Melis Sutman (M.Sutman@hw.ac.uk).

The closing date for the applications is April 17^th, 2023.

We are looking for an enthusiastic and accomplished postdoctoral researcher to join our team at the Computing Center for Geotechnical Engineering of Zhejiang University. The ideal candidate will have a PhD in mechanical, chemical, civil, resource engineering or a related field, with a proven track record of excellence. Our research focuses on the nano-, micro- and macro-scale modelling of clays, and we require a candidate with a strong background in numerical computing, particularly in Molecular Dynamics, such as GROMACS, LAMMPS, NAMD, etc. Experience in granular simulations and clay mechanics is an asset.

More information in the attached pdf.

KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Stockholm, Sweden, is searching for a doctoral student to the Division of Soil and Rock Mechanics. The work tasks are related to doctoral studies leading to a Licentiate degree, if the study plan is followed. (Opportunity to continue working to a PhD degree is very likely to be offered, but cannot be completely guaranteed at this point. Licentiate is an intermediate degree.) The studies are connected to the research project “Safe Dams – Description of pore pressure and alarm thresholds for probabilistic assessment of sliding stability for concrete dams”. In sliding stability assessment of concrete dams, the uplift constitutes an important parameter. However, this parameter is associated with significant uncertainties. Existing methods for evaluation of sliding stability are simplified and need to be further developed. The objective of the project is to identify how uplift under dams should be described for different geological conditions and to develop methods for improved assessment of the sliding stability for concrete dams.

The work tasks include case studies of existing dams, evaluation of measurement data, analytical, numerical and probabilistic calculations, writing scientific articles, taking postgraduate courses, and teaching. The employment comes with a competitive salary in line with what is offered to newly graduated engineers working in the Swedish construction industry and there is no tuition fee. The vacancy ad and further details about the project and the employment can be found here: https://www.kth.se/en/om/work-at-kth/lediga-jobb/what:job/jobID:600914/where:4/ Last application date is 31 March 2023.

Fixed term (3 years)
Transport Research Centre (UTS-TRC);
Faculty of Engineering and Information Technology

The UTS Transport Research Centre (UTS TRC) is one of the global leaders in smart transportation systems – enhancing the design, performance and management of critical transportation infrastructure in modern complex environments. We are Australia’s leading transportation geotechnics research centre, with a worldwide reputation for fundamental and applied research. Currently, under Distinguished Professor Indraratna’s leadership, the UTS TRC now has Australia’s leading researchers in the field of rail infrastructure design, ground improvement, transportation data analytics, structural health monitoring of transportation corridors as well as service engineering. The Centre has an outstanding record of research achievements, currently employing close to a dozen academics and about 30 PhD students, supported by significant grants from the Australian Research Council.

The Centre is seeking a high-calibre candidate to work on a three-year geotechnical project funded by the Australian Research Council to investigate the causative factors of undrained instability of soft soil under transport embankments and to assess the effectiveness of vertical drains in stabilising subgrade soil subjected to train (cyclic) loading. The Research Associate will be collaborating closely with investigators to solve the problems of rail track instability using subsurface drainage. The incumbent will also be involved in the supervision of HDR students.

The appointment will be based on merit and the candidate’s experience and qualification. The prospective candidate must have a first degree in Civil Engineering or a related discipline. A research degree such as PhD in Geotechnical engineering is essential. For further information about this role, please contact Distinguished Prof Buddhima Indraratna (61 2) 9514 8000, e-mail: Buddhima.Indraratna@uts.edu.au.

As women are under-represented in academic positions, suitably qualified women are encouraged to apply.

Please apply via: https://recruitment.uts.edu.au/OA_HTML/OA.jsp?OAFunc=IRC_VIS_VAC_DISPLAY&p_svid=236301&p_spid=8712790

Application close: 5 March 2023

Optimized and Reliable Seabed Anchor Systems for Floating Wind

Position description: Applications are invited for a fully funded 3-year PhD position in Geotechnical Engineering. The position starting date is Sep 2023.

Research project: The PhD position will involve laboratory testing and numerical simulations of seabed anchors to advance floating wind technologies. The west coast of Ireland, with its strong winds in waters deeper than 50 metres, provides an ideal location for testing floating wind. Additionally, Ireland aims to achieve 30 GW of floating wind capacity by 2050. The research will mainly focus on the Atlantic Marine Energy Testing Site (AMETS), located 16 km northwest of Belderra Strand. As part of this project, the successful candidate will participate in ongoing geological and geotechnical site investigations, perform centrifuge tests on anchor capacity using the facilities at ATU Sligo, and integrate seabed characterization and centrifuge testing data with machine-learning-enhanced numerical simulations to optimize the anchor systems. The candidate will have the opportunity to collaborate with a team of experts in geotechnical engineering, marine geology, and relevant industrial stakeholders.

Supervisors: Dr Budi Zhao, Dr Mike Long (Co-supervisor)

Collaborators: Dr Mark Coughlan & Dr Jennifer Keenahan (UCD), Dr Pat Naughton (ATU)

Location:  University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland

Application procedure: Applicants should submit their CV, transcript, and recommendation letters from two referees as a single .pdf document to budi.zhao@ucd.ie.

Application deadline: 14th April 2023

See the attached pdf for more details.