The Geotechnics Research Group at Chalmers University of Technology is looking for PhD students and post-docs in computational geomechanics.

Deadline for applications is April 30, 2022. Please note that all applications need to be sent via Chalmers web-portal.

More information on each position on the websites cited below :

PhD student position in multiphysics modelling of geostructures in FEniCSx: https://www.chalmers.se/en/about-chalmers/Working-at-Chalmers/Vacancies/Pages/default.aspx?rmpage=job&rmjob=10327

Postdoc in multiphysics modelling of geostructures in FEniCSx: https://www.chalmers.se/en/about-chalmers/Working-at-Chalmers/Vacancies/Pages/default.aspx?rmpage=job&rmjob=10328

Postdoc in computational geomechanics: micromechanics of natural clays: https://www.chalmers.se/en/about-chalmers/Working-at-Chalmers/Vacancies/Pages/default.aspx?rmpage=job&rmjob=10329

We offer a 4-year PhD researcher position within the bilateral cooperation FWO research project “Mechanisms of rockmass instability in co-mining of deep mineral and geothermal energy considering spatio-temporal distribution of stress and temperature”, in collaboration with the Central South University (China).

The PhD researcher will develop the Bayesian Evidential Learning (BEL) framework in order to predict the temperature and mechanical stress fields using Thermo-Hydro-Mechanical (THM) coupled models constrained to direct (borehole) and indirect (passive and active seismic data) data under large geological uncertainty. The approach will be first developed with synthetic cases, then validated on a laboratory analog, and finally tested in real field conditions.

The PhD student will be based and enrolled at the Department of Geology at Ghent University, and several short research stays at TU Delft are planned. The PhD supervisors will be Prof. Thomas Hermans at Ghent University (UGent), Prof. Longjun Dong (CSU) and Prof. Anne-Catherine Dieudonné and Prof. Alexandros Daniilidis (TU Delft).

Tentative start date: 1 July 2022. The position is initially for one year, but it will be extended to a maximum of four years after positive evaluation. More information about PhD studies at Ghent University can be found here: https://www.ugent.be/en/research/doctoralresearch.

How to apply

Application to be submitted electronically in a single PDF file, by e-mail, to Prof. Thomas Hermans (thomas.hermans@ugent.be).
Application should include a CV, a motivation letter and an overview of study results (transcript of records), as well as the contact details of two reference persons.
All applications will be assessed after the deadline and shortlisted candidates will be contacted for a remote interview, which will likely take place in the second half of April.
If no candidate is selected, a new application round will be organized.

More information on this website.

L’UMONS annonce la vacance d’une charge de cours à la Faculté
Polytechnique, dans le domaine des Sciences de l’Ingénieur et Technologie, à
pourvoir à la date du 1er septembre 2022.

Cette charge de cours comprend les enseignements suivants :
▪ I-GMIN-001 : Comportement mécanique des géomatériaux (24h de cours, 12h d’exercices) en Bachelier Ingénieur Civil, Option Mines – Géologie
▪ I-GMIN-002 : Modélisation analytique et numérique en mécanique des roches (28h de cours, 24h de travaux pratiques) en Master Ingénieur Civil des Mines et Géologue
▪ I-GRMI-031 : Projet de Géomécanique (6h de cours, 54h de projet) en Bachelier Ingénieur Civil, Option Mines – Géologie
▪ I-GMIN-015 : Drilling Technologies and Reservoir Engineering (22h de cours, 14h d’exercices, 12h de travaux pratiques) en Master Ingénieur Civil des Mines et Géologue
▪ I-GMIN-044 : Voyage Mines (48h) en Master Ingénieur Civil des Mines et Géologue
▪ I-GMIN-014 : Séminaires de génie minier (12h) en Master Ingénieur Civil des Mines et Géologue

La langue d’enseignement est le français ou l’anglais. La connaissance des deux langues est requise.

Les lettres de candidatures, rédigées en français, avec l’exposé des titres, doivent être adressées, par lettre recommandée avec demande d’accusé de réception, à Monsieur le Recteur de l’Université de Mons, place du Parc 20, B-7000 Mons, Belgique et par mail à l’adresse secretariat.ca@umons.ac.be, dans un délai de 30 jours à dater de la publication du présent avis au Moniteur Belge (c’est-à-dire au plus tard le 09/04/2022).

Plus d’informations sur le flyer suivant.

For the english version, please see Full-time Faculty Position in Geomecanics and Reservoir Engineering | EURAXESS (europa.eu)

Delft University of Technology is seeking candidates for a new Assistant or Associate Professor of Geotechnical Field Testing and Monitoring.

The position is proposed to improve our understanding of the fundamental mechanical behaviour of geotechnical structures undergoing ageing and cyclic loads, and to provide new solutions to the present and future challenges of the built environment, with an emphasis on hydraulic structures such as locks, quay walls, retaining structures and dams. The aim is to develop new monitoring and analysis strategies to better assess and design geotechnical structures and infrastructure subjected to increasing anthropogenic and environmental (e.g. wind, wave, hydraulic, thermal, seismic) loadings, and to study the impact of soil-fluid-structure interaction processes. Emerging sensor and imaging technologies, as well as advanced data analysis, offer the opportunity to develop a new generation of experimental techniques for geotechnical testing in the field.

See attached file for more details.

Deadline for applications: 11 April 2022.

Chalmers University of Technology, Department of Architecture and Civil Engineering is now looking for a Postdoc researcher (24 months) who will study dynamic Soil-Structure-Interaction (SSI) and its effect on design and maintenance of railway infrastructure (including but not limited to slab track). This project is a collaboration between the Concrete Structures and Geotechnics research groups and is embedded within the centre for Chalmers Railway Mechanics (CHARMEC).  Ultimately, the project will contribute to performance-based design and improved management through digital twins and monitoring. Hence the project is aimed to contribute towards more sustainable railway systems.

More information can be found on the following link:

https://www.chalmers.se/en/about-chalmers/Working-at-Chalmers/Vacancies/Pages/default.aspx?rmpage=job&rmjob=10303&rmlang=UK

Please reach out to Mario Plos (mario.plos@chalmers.se) and/or Jelke Dijkstra (jelke.dijkstra@chalmers.se) if you have any questions about the project or the process.

Three researcher positions (up to 3 years duration) are available at University of Bristol, University of Southampton and Trinity College Dublin to join the EPSRC-SFI funded project “ROBOCONE: intelligent robotics for next generation ground investigation and design”. This is an interdisciplinary project aiming to bring robotics and whole-life design to in situ soil characterisation and geotechnical analysis.

The Bristol team will focus on the mechanical development of a new site investigation tool and its preliminary laboratory testing; the Southampton team has a focus on numerical analysis; the Dublin team on calibration chamber and field testing. However, all appointees and research teams will be closely collaborating and involved across the project.

The Bristol team includes Dr Andrea Diambra, Dr Andrew Conn, Prof. Erdin Ibraim and Prof. George Mylonakis; the Southampton project team includes Prof. David White, Prof. Susan Gourvenec and Dr Benjamin Cerfontaine; the Dublin team is led by Dr David Igoe.

For more information and apply:

• Bristol team (Deadline: 7^th March 2022): https://www.bristol.ac.uk/jobs/find/details/?jobId=266779&jobTitle=Research%20Associate%20in%20Geotechnical%2FRobotic%20Engineering
• Southampton team (Deadline: 15^th March 2022)::  https://jobs.soton.ac.uk/Vacancy.aspx?ref=1702422DA  
• Dublin team (Deadline: 10^th March 2022): email: igoed@tcd.ie

Project kick-off: June 2022.

This is a fixed term contract Post-doctoral Research Fellow position for up to 3 years, working on the ROBOCONE project, based at the University of Southampton.

You will join our team to support the development of robotic new geotechnical site investigation tool concepts. Your role will focus primarily on numerical modelling, with additional involvement in physical testing in the laboratory and the field.

ROBOCONE is a multi-disciplinary research project, in collaboration with research teams at University of Bristol and Trinity College Dublin, aiming to advance the use of robotics in civil engineering site investigation. The project is focused on new tools for advanced characterisation of static and cyclic soil properties and their use in modern geotechnical infrastructure design.

This role provides an opportunity to conduct research at the intersection of robotics, infrastructure resilience and geotechnical site characterisation. We are seeking candidates with a background in civil engineering, preferably with experience in geotechnical numerical modelling. You will be responsible for developing numerical models of the in situ tools, and exploring methods for interpreting soil parameters from in situ measurements.

You will join a major new research project comprised of teams at three universities, working alongside researchers with complementary skills in robotics and fieldwork, and a range of industry partners and international collaborators.

You will be based at the new National Infrastructure Laboratory on the University’s Boldrewood Innovation Campus, and you will be embedded within professional networks addressing the challenges of onshore and offshore infrastructure and decarbonisation as part of the Southampton Marine & Maritime Institute (SMMI) and the UK Collaboratorium for Research on Infrastructure and Cities (UKCRIC).

For more information, visit the website:

https://jobs.soton.ac.uk/Vacancy.aspx?ref=1702422DA

Low-Field NMR Monitoring of Hydro-Thermo-Mechanical Processes in Fine Sediments

Research project:  Pore characterization advances our understanding of the hydro-thermo-mechanical behaviour of fine sediments, which are relevant to many geotechnical infrastructures, e.g., offshore foundations, embankment dams, and energy piles. Nuclear magnetic resonance NMR non-destructively probes the pore space of wet soils using saturating water molecules and reveals both water content and pore size distribution without disturbing ongoing processes.

The project involves developing and implementing low-field NMR sensors to characterize the hydro-thermo-mechanical processes in fine sediments. The research will contribute to one or multiple of the following areas: (i) moisture transfer during drying and infiltration; (ii) desiccation crack formation; (iii) cyclic behaviour of soil-structure interface; and (iv) freezing-and-thawing processes. The successful candidate will work closely with Electrical Engineering, Geophysics and Soil Sciences.

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

Applicant Requirements: We seek a highly enthusiastic PhD candidate who can independently plan and conduct the research project. Applicants should have a first or upper second-class honours degree in geotechnical engineering, civil engineering or other relevant fields such as mechanical engineering or physics. Excellent written, oral communication skills and a high level of competence in the English language are essential.

Stipend & fees: The successful candidate will receive a stipend of €18,000 per annum and the fully-funded tuition fees for EU/non-EU applicants. The position is funded for four years – subject to satisfactory progress.

Application procedure: Applicants should submit their CV, transcript, and contact details of two academic referees as a single .pdf document to budi.zhao@ucd.ie.

Application deadline: 15^th March 2022

Research project

Expansive clay materials and concrete have been considered as potential candidates for closure structures in high-level radioactive waste repositories.  The mechanical behaviour of clay/concrete interface has been identified as a key parameter in the development of swelling pressure and the hydro-mechanical equilibrium state obtained after the saturation of the clay materials. Optimisation of the closure structures requires thus a better understanding at various scales of clay/concrete interface behaviour.

This project aims at investigating the mechanical behaviour of clay/concrete interface in the context of geological radioactive waste repositories. Advanced laboratory experiments (mechanical tests combined with X-ray microtomography and digital image correlation techniques) will be first used to observe shearing behaviour of clay/concrete interface at various scales. The experimental results will then be used to develop and validate numerical models to predict the behaviour of the closure structures by considering the mechanical behaviour of clay/concrete interface.

Candidates profile

Candidates should have strong background in geomechanics and be interested in both experimental and numerical approaches.

For administrative reasons, candidates must be EU citizens under 26 years of age on October 1^st, 2022.

Contact and application

The application (including CV and motivation letter) should be sent to Dr. Anh Minh TANG (anh-minh.tang@enpc.fr) before March 1^st, 2022.

A PhD position is open at Université Gustave Eiffel, Nantes Campus, France. The project will focus on centrifuge modelling of soft soil reinforced by rigid inclusions subjected to seismic loading. The PhD student will carry out experimental studies on the soil-rigid inclusion-superstructure interaction taking into account several highlighted factors. The experimental study will also provide essential data for numerical modeling.

Application deadline: Friday 22nd April, 2022, 23:59 PM

For more information of the PhD project and detailed application procedure, see the attached PDF file.