Ph.D. student Position – MISCEA thesis offer -ESR06 -Design and monitoring of tunnels facing energy and numerical transitions 

Faced with the current challenges of the energy transition, the field of subsurface geothermal energy has developed in recent years and has proven to be a major contributor to the development of energy geostructures. In particular, energy tunnels are characterised by innovative dual-use structures that combine the roles of structural support and energy supply. It is essential to improve the design methods of these geostructures in order to improve the comfort of the population while maintaining the objectives of optimisation, precision and safety.

Based on different scenarios of interaction between the ground and the tunnel, the aim of this thesis is to study the main sources of uncertainty in the dimensioning of this type of structures and to propose to the practitioner a simple tool for estimating the energy performance of the geostructure. To this end, the thesis will be divided into two main stages:

* Firstly, the PhD project will focus on numerical modelling, taking into account thermo-hydro-mechanical (THM) couplings, to evaluate the ground-support interaction and to have reliable predictions of the overall energy performance over time. Different numerical simulations will be carried out to account for the uncertainties in the design of these structures, taking into account the variations in stratigraphy and the presence of heterogeneities along the tunnel. The impact of this type of geostructure on the surrounding building and the interaction with existing underground structures will also be investigated. Soil characterisation from tunnel excavation projects, such as the Grand Paris Express, will form the basis of the different scenarios.

* The objective of the second stage is to provide engineers with a simple tool for pre-design. This will be done on the basis of different scenarios that will allow to better take into account the uncertainties (based on the results obtained from the numerical simulations carried out in the second stage). Indeed, recent work has shown the reliability and effectiveness of using machine learning approaches to provide engineers with rapid computer support for design. As 3D numerical models usually require a lot of computing time, the use of surrogate models based on artificial intelligence tools can be considered as a useful alternative.

Requirements

Research FieldGeosciencesEducation LevelMaster Degree or equivalent

Skills/Qualifications

Experience of a geotechnical internship or research project and of machine learning concepts would be highly valued.LanguagesENGLISHLevelExcellent

Additional Information

Eligibility criteria

Description of the project and the candidates’ eligibility criteria:

This position will be part of the EU-funded project MISCEA, which is an ambitious inter- and multidisciplinary Doctoral Training Network under the Horizon-Europe Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions. 

PhD candidates’ can be of any nationality but you have to meet these eligibility criteria:

• Not being a current employee working at ENPC.
• Not having resided or carried out their main activity (work, studies, etc) in France for more than 12 months during the past 36 months immediately before the deadline of the MISCEA Programme’s call. Compulsory national service, short stays such as holidays and time spent as part of a procedure for obtaining refugee status under the Geneva Convention are not taken into account.
• Holding a Master’s degree (or about to obtain one) or having a University degree equivalent to a European Master’s degree (5-year duration) at the deadline of the MISCEA Programme’s call.
• Researchers must be doctoral candidates, i.e. not already in possession of a doctoral degree at the deadline of the co-funded programme’s call. Researchers who have successfully defended their doctoral thesis but who have not yet formally been awarded the doctoral degree will NOT be considered eligible.
• Signing a declaration of the veracity of the information provided (Declaration of honour, free of form).

If you comply with the eligibility criteria and you wish to submit your application, you must:

• Contact the thesis supervisor and explain your thesis project to her/him so that she/he validates your application via a letter of acceptance.
• Submit a 5-pages thesis proposal under the proposed research areas, with the agreement of the future supervisor + 1 page cover letter with: the relevance of your educational/professional background to carry out your thesis topic.
• The applicant will have to complete an ethics checklist based on ethics guidance from the HorizonEurope programme guide.
• English-translated transcripts from the master’s degree or equivalent.
• Any specific requirements of the Doctoral School corresponding to the targeted MISCEA fellowship offer.
• English curriculum vitae, including information about the level on English language knowledge.
• One letter of reference, at least.

See mandatory templates for your application and recruitment conditions on the Applicant’s guide on the MISCEA website (link).

Then your candidature is complete, please send inquiries to miscea-program@enpc.fr

Additional comments

The present offer of a doctoral contract in France is for a period of three years.

Full-Time employment : estimated monthly brut salary : ~2700euros (estimated monthly net salary before income taxes: ~2100euros)