A 4-year PhD studentship is available for UK or international applicants: “Meeting future net-zero carbon energy needs: Improved borehole sealing using compacted bentonite and silica grout“. This project will investigate new technologies for borehole sealing to prevent the upward leakage of fluids and gases that are stored at-depth in the ground. Reliable borehole sealing is vital for global development of an energy industry that can meet net zero carbon by 2050 (2045 in Scotland).

Candidates can apply at: https://www.strath.ac.uk/studywithus/postgraduateresearch/yourapplicationoffer/

The closing date for applications is Nov 21^st 2022. The PhD project can start at any time, ideally beginning as soon as possible. However, candidates MUST be able to start before March 31^st, 2023.

Further Information

More information are available on this pdf file.

For further information on the application process, please contact: Morag.McIntosh@strath.ac.uk

For further information regarding the project please contact Prof Rebecca Lunn or Dr Gea Pagano (rebecca.lunn@strath.ac.uk arianna.pagano@strath.ac.uk)

Group of Materials and Environment at the Faculty of Civil Engineering and Geosciences, TU Delft, is looking for a motivated researcher with experience/knowledge in solid/experimental mechanics (with e.g., civil, mechanical, aerospace engineering background) to join their group as a PhD candidate. The work will focus on experimental characterization and understanding of composite action in a new class of cementitious composites which are reinforced with 3D printed reinforcement with a negative Poisson’s ratio. The candidate will be embedded in an ongoing ERC Starting Grant project, working in a team with 2 PhD candidates, 2 postdocs, and the P.I. More info about the project and the application procedure can be found on the website of TU Delft.

The Geotechnical Engineering Group at the University of California at Davis is searching for a new faculty member in Geotechnical Engineering. We are looking for an exceptional individual to develop a significant independent research program as well as pursue synergistic collaborative research in geotechnical engineering related to the resiliency of civil infrastructure and lifeline systems across multiple hazards, which can include earthquake, wave, wind, fire, and other climate change-induced loadings. Research themes of special interest include, but are not limited to, underground construction, earthen retention systems for water and waste materials, on- and off-shore energy systems, permafrost and cryosphere systems, foundation systems, and ports and harbors. Opportunities that are synergistic with the hypergravity modeling capabilities provided by the CGM are of interest.

More details regarding this position can be found here: https://ucdavis.box.com/s/xbgvpemeve8hhvlwi9spn67dl9d0h880 

Application review will begin on December 1, 2022. Please share this opportunity with colleagues, post-docs, students, and others that may be interested.

Contact: Jason DeJong, jdejong@ucdavis.edu

France Energies Marines institute (and the Gustave Eiffel University) are looking for a highly motivated postdoctoral candidate for 18 months in “geotechnical engineering: physical and numerical modelling”. The physical modelling aspect consists in performing an experimental campaign in centrifuge on the anchors multidirectional loading. The second part is about the numerical modelling of the centrifuge tests.

The application deadline is 31st October 2022
Applicants must be available to start around the very beginning of 2023
To find more details about the offer and to apply: https://www.france-energies-marines.org/en/join-us/postdoctoral-position-in-experimental-geotechnical-analysis-of-mutualised-anchors/

Contact : matthieu.blanc@univ-eiffel.fr

A postdoctoral position in theoretical and computational geomechanics in the Department of Civil, Environmental and Geo- Engineering, University of Minnesota is available immediately for a study associated with the Center for Interacting Geo-processes in Mineral Carbon Storage (GMCS), funded through the Energy Frontier Research Centers (EFRC) program by the Office of Basic Energy Sciences, US Department of Energy. The key objective of GMCS is to develop a deep understanding of the key geo-processes, occurring across multiple scales, that is necessary to achieve a successful mineral carbon storage operation. This will require cohorts of engineers and scientists, from across the spectrum of geomechanics, geochemistry, porous media flow, reactive transport, and sensing technologies, to work in concert towards the common mission of fully developing the fundamental science and engineering capability that will lead to realizing the potential for permanent subsurface storage of CO₂ via mineralization. 

The postdoctoral fellow will be assisting with the development of models of propagating cracks driven by reactive fluids, considering dissolution and precipitation mechanisms, and will be conducting numerical simulations to assess the evolution of the transport properties of a fractured porous rock caused by injection of a reactive fluid. The initial appointment is for one year and is renewable for up to four years. 

The ideal candidate must have strong background in theoretical and computational mechanics. An expertise in fracture mechanics and poromechanics is mandatory; knowledge of geochemistry is preferred but not required. Also of importance are communication skills and ability to work effectively with the senior investigators, other post-doctoral researchers, and graduate students. 

Applicants should submit a statement of interest, career goals, 2-page CV, and the names and contact information of three references. Inquiries and applications should be sent by email to Emmanuel Detournay (detou001@umn.edu) and Joseph Labuz (jlabuz@umn.edu).

The research unit RECOVER from INRAE is pleased to invite applications for a postdoc position (18 months) on the application of complex network tools to granular materials to identify enriched mesostructures responsible for the stabilizing effect induced by grain polydispersity. This postdoc proposal is part of project MiMoDiM (2022-2026) supported by the French Na-tional Research Agency (ANR).

Prospective applicants may contact Dr Antoine Wautier for further details (antoine.wautier@inrae.fr).

More details on the projects and instructions for applicants can be found here : https://nextcloud.inrae.fr/s/asYB9Y5FN86K4sf

Hydro-Mechanical Behaviour of Biopolymer-Treated Soils

Research project: The PhD position involves laboratory testing and numerical simulations on biopolymer-treated soils with enhanced erosion resistance, water retention, and vegetation etc. This soil improvement approach has a lower carbon footprint thus is more eco-friendly than chemical stabilizations with cement, lime, and fly ash. Field studies demonstrate the feasibility and potential of biopolymer applications in slope surface protection in various soil types, including organic peat covering 17% of Ireland. The viscoelastic gel-like biopolymers change soil properties primarily through particle binding, pore-filling, and pore-clogging. The successful candidate is expected to apply experimental and numerical approaches to advance our understanding of the hydro-mechanical behaviour of biopolymer-treated soils including soil-water retention behaviour, hydraulic conductivity, undrained shear strength. The candidate will adopt non-destructive imaging techniques, i.e., X-ray computed tomography, advanced soil water potential devices, and numerical simulation methods such as discrete element method.

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

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

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 (See UCD’s policy on minimum English language requirements here).

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 recommendation letters from two referees as a single .pdf document to budi.zhao@ucd.ie.

Application deadline: 21st Oct 2022