Permafrost underlies a quarter of the Northern Hemisphere and is thawing rapidly due to global warming. This has major consequences for ecosystems, water resources, infrastructure stability and long-term economic costs. Anticipating these changes through numerical modelling is essential for supporting resilient Arctic environments and communities.

The PERMACHANGE project is developing a site-scale hybrid digital twin of permafrost, combining high-performance computing, hybrid modelling and machine-learning-based soil mechanics surrogate models. This approach enables efficient, high-fidelity simulations of subsurface heat and water transfer, as well as terrain stability, under thawing conditions.

This PhD aims at adding soil mechanics (M) simulation capabilities to the TH hybrid twin. The detailed objectives are: (1) simulating the effect of temperature change on geotechnical infrastructures, and (2) building a mechanical surrogate model.

For further information, see the attached [PDF].

PhD scholarship at Laboratoire de Mécanique et de Génie Civil (LMGC), Université de Montpellier, France.
This thesis is about the numerical and experimental investigation of the micromechanical phenomena involved in the generation of waves by the collapse of a granular mass into a body of water.

For further information, see the attached [PDF].

In geological sequestration, CO2 is injected in liquid form, but it transforms into a supercritical fluid (scCO2). Having density lower than the aqueous brine, initially saturating the reservoir rock, scCO2 tends to buoy through it, in continuous contact with the brine, and therefore to accumulate below the
caprock.
Significant contributions in the literature have been focused on the study of the response of the reservoir rock to CO2 injection, however less results are available concerning the direct interaction between the acidified solution stored in the aquifer and the caprock.
The objectives of the research activity will be to reproduce at the laboratory scale scenarios representative of the interactions between the acidic solution stored in the reservoir rock and the sealing caprock.

For further information, see the attached [PDF].

The Laboratoire 3SR is encouraging excellent candidates to apply for a 3-year PhD position in Geomechanics starting in September 2026. The PhD project aims to improve the understanding of initiation and evolution of failure by localized deformation around underground excavations in heterogeneous and anisotropic porous rocks, a key issue for the stability and integrity of deep boreholes and galleries in the context of the energy transition. This PhD research will investigate, through combined advanced experimental and numerical approaches, the mechanisms of localized deformation around boreholes in heterogeneous and anisotropic sedimentary rocks, under true triaxial stress paths representative of in-situ conditions.

The work will be supervised by Pierre Bésuelle (senior researcher, CNRS), Cyrille Couture (associate professor, UGA) and Vincent Richefeu (associate professor, HDR, UGA).

For further information, see the attached PDF.

Deadline for applications is 1st March 2026.

For further information, see the attached [PDF].

We are pleased to announce an opening for a Postdoctoral Fellow at Wuhan University, focusing on Computational Geomechanics or Data-Physics Fusion Simulation. The position offers an initial two-year contract, with a possible extension for exceptional performers.
Candidates should hold a PhD in Geotechnical, Geological, Civil, or Mechanical Engineering (or a closely related field) obtained within the last three years, or be ready for their thesis defense.
Candidates should possess strong expertise in numerical simulation and computational mechanics, and with a research background in geomechanics. Knowledge of deep learning is a plus. We provide a well-funded, vibrant research environment with a competitive annual salary of 300,000 to 400,000 RMB (approximately 36,000 to 48,000 euros).
How to apply: Please send your CV to Prof. Wang Luyu (luyu.wang@whu.edu.cn, Web: http://jszy.whu.edu.cn/wangluyu/en/index.htm).
For more details, please refer to the attached PDF file.

For further information, see the attached [PDF].