PhD position in Advanced Experimental Geomechanics and Neutron Diffraction/Imaging

A PhD position is available at the Division of Solid Mechanics at Lund University to work on a project titled “Investigating the mechanics of geomaterials using neutrons – from the intra- and inter-granular scales to bulk behaviour and transport properties”.

The focus of the project is the quantitative characterisation of the multi-scale processes of deformation and their consequences on material properties of rocks related to natural resource engineering applications, such as CO2 sequestration, hydrocarbon production and water resource management. The project will involve developing novel experiments exploiting neutron diffraction strain scanning and neutron imaging in conjunction with original in-situ experimental devices and analysis procedures. Neutron diffraction will enable characterisation of stress distributions in samples as they deform, whilst neutron tomography will be used to study coupled hydro-mechanical evolution. 

For further information, contact Stephen Hall for more details (stephen.hall@solid.lth.se)

PhD position: Multiscale modeling of geopolymers

Contacts: A. Poulesquen: CEA Marcoule, Visiting scholar at 2 the MIT-CNRS-AMU joint laboratory, arnaudp@mit.edu

K. Ioannidou: UMR5508 – LMGC U. Montpellier & Visiting scholar at 2 the MIT-CNRS-AMU joint laboratory, hekate@mit.edu

Internship advisor: R. Pellenq: 2, the MIT-CNRS-AMU joint laboratory, pellenq@mit.edu

More information in the attachment:

PhD project: Modeling of the behavior of a fractured porous medium submitted to gas pressurization

Applications are welcomed for a PhD position in Navier lab (Ecole des Ponts ParisTech, IFSTTAR, CNRS) on the simulation of fractured porous media. The PhD project aims at setting up a numerical model of fractured porous medium with application to the simulation of claystone for nuclear wastes storage. Candidates must hold a Master of Science or equivalent in mechanics and physics of (geo)-materials with a strong taste for numerical modeling.

More details about this PhD position in the attached document:

PhD Position on Multi-scale hydro-mechanical modeling of coalbed methane recovery at the University of Lorraine, France

Applications are welcomed for a PhD position at GeoRessources laboratory, University of Lorraine (France). The PhD project aims at investigating the hydro-mechanical couplings in coalbed methane recovery. Candidates should demonstrate fundamental knowledge of solid and fluid mechanics principles governing the behaviour of porous and fractured media and show motivation for working at the interface between disciplines. An experience in developing numerical methods, particularly DFN/DEM would be an asset. 

More information in the attachment:

Postdoctoral position: Effect of Microstructural factors on deformation and fluid transport in partially saturated low permeability materials

The topic deals with the investigation of the mecanisms of deformation at
different fluid interfaces at the microstructure scale of low permeability
materials. In particular, it focuses on the experimental identification of
quantitative interactions between the microstructure, the fluid flow and the deformation of low permeability clayey materials.

Duration : 1 year + 1 year
September 2019 to August 2021

More information in the attached file:

PhD position: Numerical and experimental approaches on the behavior of salt caverns during storage of hydrogen and other gases

PhD opportunity at the École des Mines de Paris – Centre des Géosciences – Fontainebleau

This proposed PhD thesis is dedicated to investigate the integrity of salt cavern mechanical and thermodynamic behavior during fast and slow cycling while addressing the entire complexity of the Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) problem, i.e. full discretization of the cavern, gas cavern velocity and thermodynamic variables spatial variations, nature of flow, and the 3D thermo-hydro-mechanical behavior of salt. Moreover, the problem of H2O storage in salt caverns is particular from other gases. This is attributed to the large mobility of hydrogen induced by its very small molecular length, and its potential reactivity with other chemical species that can be present in the storage environment. We aspire that this PhD thesis would shed a light on the phenomenon of hydrogen seepage into the salt rock during fast and slow cycling.

More information in the attachment:

Postdoctoral researcher position in coupled hydro-solid mechanics in unsaturated soils

3 year position in the newly formed Westlake Institute for Advance Study in Hangzhou China. Competitive salary ranging from 250k to 350k RMB per year, depending on experience, as well as relocation expenses. The project is focused on creating advanced modelling techniques for the complex physics of unsaturated soils. Researchers with PhD in Mathematics, Physics, Civil or Mechanical Engineering, or related fields are welcome to apply. Experience in computational methods such as Discrete Element Method, Lattice Boltzmann Method, Smooth Particle Hydrodynamics, and related methods is also highly desirable.

The Westlake Institute for Advance Study is a newly formed university with great support from the local government as well as the private sector. For more information about the Institute please visit its website http://www.wias.org.cn/english-index.html.

For information regarding this position please contact Associate Professor Sergio Torres at s.torres@westlake.edu.cn

PhD position: Hypoplastic model for unsaturated expansive clays used in simulations of bentonite homogenization for nuclear waste repositories

University: Charles University
Supervisor: David Mašín

Hypoplastic model for unsaturated expansive clays has recently been implemented into an inhouse finite element code SIFEL developed at Czech Technical University. It has been used successfully in simulating behaviour of bentonite buffer in planned nuclear waste repositories.Recently a European framework funded project BEACON has been setup to investigate the process of homogenization of bentonite blocks and pellets to guarantee adequate sealing properties of the buffer. In the proposed project it is planned to both investigate the behaviour of the buffer in laboratory experiments and to numerically model its behaviour.
Laboratory testing will be performed on newly acquired THM unsaturated oedometric apparatus, enabling to perform tests up to 150 °C. Numerical modelling will be done using SIFEL finite element code with hypoplastic constitutive model. The PhD project will thus stimulate both laboratory and numerical skills of the applicant, while he will have a freedom to decide specific orientation of the project depending on his/her interests.

Links: https://soilmodels.com/phd-position-bentonite/
https://www.stars-natur.cz/phd-positions/geology/hypoplastic-model-for-unsaturated-expansive-clays-used-in-simulations-of-bentonite-homogenization-for-nuclear-waste-repositories?back=7nlrl