International conference dedicated to the memory of Prof. Pierre Bérest

An international conference on “Underground Storage and Geoenergies” will be held in Ecole Polytechnique (Palaiseau close to Paris) on 14-15 June 2023. This conference is dedicated to the memory of Prof. Pierre Bérest and will follow a summer school on the same topic on 12-13 June. 

The scope covers salt cavern storage, C02 sequestration, nuclear waste disposal and geothermal energy.

There is no registration fees (but registration is mandatory). The organization covers lunches and coffee breaks. 

More information and registration on this pdf file

Contacts:
Alexandre Dimanov <alexandre.dimanov@polytechnique.edu>;
Laura Blanco-Martin  <laura.blanco_martin@minesparis.psl.eu>; 
Philippe Cosenza  <philippe.cosenza@univ-poitiers.fr>; 
Jean Sulem <jean.sulem@enpc.fr>. 

Postdoc Position on Geomechanics at ZJU

A postdoc position is now open in computational geomechanics at Department of Civil Engineering of Zhejiang University, China (QS ranking 2022: 45th). The project is on the multiscale simulation of chemo-hydro-mechanical coupling in geotechnical problems with particular focus on landslide problems and tailings dam failure.

The postdoc will perform independent research under the supervision of Dr. Yanni Chen (https://person.zju.edu.cn/en/yannichen), in close contact with our two international collaborators: Prof. Giuseppe Buscarnera at Northwestern University and Prof. Itai Einav at the University of Sydney. A background on numerical modelling and Multiphysics coupling would be highly appreciated.

This is a two-year fixed term contract with possible extensions if needed and can be started immediately. Annual salary is around EUR 40,000 with extra bonus based on performance and contributions to the department.

Interested applicants can forward a single PDF consisting of a 1-page cover letter, a full CV, and contact details of two references to Dr Yanni Chen (yanni.chen@zju.edu.cn). The review of candidates will begin on April 1st, 2023, and applications will be accepted until the position is filled. For any additional information, see the attached pdf or please write a message to yanni.chen@zju.edu.cn.

PhD position at UTS Australia

Dr Xuzhen He from UTS is seeking high-achieving PhD students in 2023. The research project is “Modernise geotechnical investigation and analysis with machine learning”, which is funded by the Australian Research Council Discovery Project. Candidates with knowledge and research experience in computational geomechanics and/or machine learning are
encouraged to apply.

More information on the attached pdf. Applications can be sent to Dr Xuzhen He (hexuzhen@outlook.com; xuzhen.he@uts.edu.au). The positions are open until filled.

Two PhD positions at Ecole des Ponts ParisTech

Two PhD positions are now open at Ecole des Ponts ParisTech, one on “Investigating the mechanical behaviour of frozen soils by particle and mesoscale observations” and another one on “Investigating the cyclic thermo-mechanical behaviour of an energy pile subjected to combined loading by using field tests and load transfer method”.

More information on the pdf files :

Investigating the mechanical behaviour of frozen soils by particle and mesoscale observations

Investigating the cyclic thermo-mechanical behaviour of an energy pile subjected to combined loading by using field tests and load transfer method

PhD opportunity on expansive soils at the University of Newcastle, NSW, Australia 

Prof. Olivier Buzzi and Dr. Jubert Pineda (from the Priority Research Centre for Geotechnical Science and Engineering of the University of Newcastle, Australia), Prof. Mark Jaksa (University of Adelaide, Australia) and A/Prof Marti Lloret Cabot (Durham University, UK), are seeking for a highly motivated student to undertake a PhD research on the volumetric response of unsaturated expansive soils. Such soils cause billions of structural damage every year worldwide, including in Europe and Australia, and remain a challenge for researchers and geotechnical practitioners. The response of the expansive soils will be investigated via a series of deformation tests under suction-controlled conditions with measurement of microstructure evolution. The data will be used to establish a simple yet robust constitutive framework that can predict the response of expansive soils upon loading and hydraulic actions.

The laboratory in which the research will take place is state-of-the-art and includes several advanced laboratory techniques to impose and measure suction. The scholarship is worth $32,000 per annum, tax free, for a duration of 3.5 years. In addition, the student will receive $1,500 of relocation support and $1500 per annum for their research project. Newcastle is located 160 km north of Sydney and it is a great location with vibrant life and great beaches.

The start date for the PhD can be discussed but it needs to start in 2023.  

Please contact Olivier Buzzi for information or to express your interest: Olivier.Buzzi@newcastle.edu.au