Forum emploi SFP

[CDD] Multi-scale modeling of clogging in permeable pavements using CFD–DEM coupling / Modélisation multi-échelle du colmatage des chaussées perméables par couplage CFD–DEM à INSA Strasbourg

Fri, 29 May 2026 17:53:06 +0200

Title: Multi-scale modeling of clogging in permeable pavements using CFD–DEM coupling

The postdoctoral researcher will be responsible for developing a multi-scale numerical approach dedicated to modeling the evolution of permeability in permeable and draining pavement layers, in relation to progressive clogging mechanisms induced by cohesive and non-cohesive sediments. This work is part of the ANR-I OpenPav project.

The research will focus on the influence of:

the properties of the pore network,

the grain size distribution of the materials,

the nature of the sediments,

deposition mechanisms, arching effects, and accumulation,

on the kinetics of hydraulic conductivity loss. Special attention will be given to resolved and unresolved CFD–DEM coupling.

Main activities:

Develop numerical models to study the permeability of draining layers.

Implement resolved CFD–DEM simulations at the pore scale.

Develop unresolved CFD–DEM simulations to study sediment accumulation in voids.

Investigate the influence of the porous microstructure:

Porosity

Tortuosity

Connectivity

Pore size distribution

For sediments, analyze the effect of:

Grain size distribution

Concentration

Cohesion

Establish laws for the evolution of permeability as a function of clogging.

Conduct parametric studies.

Contribute to scientific dissemination:

Publications

Conferences

Project reports

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TITRE : Modélisation multi-échelle du colmatage des chaussées perméables par couplage CFD–DEM.

Le/la post-doctorant(e) aura pour mission de développer une approche numérique multi-échelle dédiée à la modélisation de l’évolution de la perméabilité des couches de chaussées perméables et drainantes, en lien avec les mécanismes de colmatage progressif induits par des sédiments cohésifs et non cohésifs. Les travaux sont menés dans le cadre de l’ANR-I OpenPav.

Le travail portera sur l’influence :

des propriétés du réseau poral,
de la granulométrie des matériaux,
de la nature des sédiments,
des mécanismes de dépôt, d’effet de voûte et d’accumulation,

sur la cinétique de perte de conductivité hydraulique. Une attention particulière sera portée au couplage CFD–DEM en modes résolu et non résolu.

Activités principales :

Développer des modèles numériques pour l’étude de la perméabilité des couches drainantes
Mettre en œuvre des simulations CFD–DEM résolues à l’échelle du pore
Développer des simulations CFD–DEM non résolues pour l’étude du cumul de sédiments dans les vides

Etudier l'influence de la microstructure porale:

Prorosité
Tortuosité
Connectivité
Distribution de la taille des pores

Pour les sédiments analyser l'effet de :

la ganulométrie
la concentration
la cohésion

Etablir les lois d’évolution de la perméabilité en fonction du colmatage

Réaliser des campagnes paramétriques

Participer à la valorisation scientifique :

- Publications
- Conférences
- Rapports de projet

Profil recherché :
Education level: PhD in Fluid Mechanics, Computational Mechanics, Granular Materials, or Porous Media. Experience level: Recent PhD graduate or initial postdoctoral experience. Prior experience in the following will be highly valued: CFD–DEM Multiphysics simulation Porous media Additional experience in the following areas will be considered an asset: Clogging Filtration Cohesive sediments Drainage materials Knowledge and expertise: The candidate must have strong knowledge in: Computational fluid mechanics Porous media Particle transport Granular mechanics Clogging/filtration phenomena Hydraulics of porous materials Multiphysics numerical methods The following knowledge will be appreciated: Permeable pavements Urban hydrology Road granular materials Skills: Proficiency in CFD tools: OpenFOAM ANSYS Fluent Or equivalent Experience with DEM: LIGGGHTS YADE CFDEM Or similar tools Python/C++ development Numerical data analysis Post-processing: Paraview Python MATLAB Ability to develop constitutive laws or reduced-order models Scientific writing in English ******************************************************************************************************** Niveau d’études (avec précision éventuelle de la spécialité) : Doctorat (PhD) en mécanique des fluides, mécanique numérique, matériaux granulaires, milieux poreux. Niveau d’expérience : Jeune docteur ou expérience postdoctorale initiale Une première expérience en : CFD–DEM simulation multiphysique milieux poreux sera fortement appréciée. Une expérience sur les thématiques suivantes constituera un atout supplémentaire : colmatage filtration sédiments cohésifs matériaux drainants. Langue (et niveau demandé) : français, anglais

Objectifs :
Title : Improving the durability of open porous asphalt pavements in urban areas Several WP exist with many tests about the mechanical behaviour, permeability tests and clogging tests. WP2 has two main objectives, i. e. (i.) to quantify the susceptibility of PA pavements to damage related to clogging, and (ii.) to identify the key factors of influence for clogging. For this purpose, numerical analysis is used based on the binder and mixture parameters derived in WP1. Multiphysical models are developed to reproduce the mechanical behavior of PA pavements under clogging (Task 2.1) and subsequently to freeze-thaw cycles (Task 2.2). Simulations of 2D and 3D samples under homogeneous conditions are adopted. Task 2.1 addresses the impact of clogging on PA layer permeability, using Discrete Element Modeling (DEM) for granular material structure and sediments, and the simulation of water flow through PA layers using Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD). The solid and fluid equations are coupled in order to define permeability of PA layers. One fundamental goal of Task 2.1 is to quantitatively reproduce the evolution of permeability as a function of solid injection during the clogging tests. This objective relies on various pieces of information provided by multiple experiments. Measurements of porosity, along with CT scan assessments of microstructure (conducted in WP1 and WP2), yield a realistic description of the voids. This information is used to represent DEM samples of the PA mixture. Subsequent measurements after clogging tests enable the verification of numerical model results concerning the distribution of sediments within the porous medium. Developing a robust model for permeability based on porosity and associated sediment mass balance facilitates the extrapolation of results beyond the project's experiments. This allows the analysis of PA materials with different porosities, water flow velocities, and solid concentrations. The derivation of general and simplified equations related to measurable system quantities (porosity, permeability, granulometry, fluid flow, solid concentration, etc.) is a crucial tool for the design of PA pavements. A second goal of Task 2.1 is to create a representative clogged microstructure of PA pavements for use in Task 2.2.

Candidater

[Contrat doctoral] 12 allocations doctorales - Systèmes et Société numériques - 12 fully funded PhD positions - Digital Systems and Digital Society (Université Côte d'Azur, France) à Ecole Universitaire de Recherche Systèmes Numériques pour l'Humain - Université Côte d'Azur

Fri, 29 May 2026 17:53:05 +0200

In 2026, 12 doctoral projects will be awarded within the perimeter of DS4H Graduate School:

Two of them financed by the DS4H Graduate school and focused on "Digital and Environment" theme on the one hand and "Multidisciplinarity" theme on the other hand.
Nine of them financed by the Doctoral school in Information and Communication Technologies (ED STIC).
The last one delegated by the QuantAzur Institute to DS4H Graduate school on applied quantum technologies

Cutting-edge research subjects

Here are some of the topics open this year (list updated daily on our website until May, 3rd. Visit us regularly!):

Adaptive Routing for Connectionless Quantum Networks
Experimental Characterization of Fine-Grained CSI in 5G and Beyond: Applications to Radio Localization and Frequency-Aware Scheduling
Cardioembolic Stroke Risk Stratification using Medical Imaging and Patient-Specific Blood Flow Simulation
Abstract Interpretation for WebAssembly
Spatial World Models for Embodied Artificial Intelligence
Distributed and resource-efficient learning for large-scale models in heterogeneous environments
Analysis and optimal control of plant-microbiota mathematical models

Inspiring research environment

As a doctoral student at Université Côte d'Azur, you will be provided with a very high-quality hosting environment:

Excellent research environment including international-renowned laboratories and IT companies from Sophia Antipolis, the fast-paced European largest technopark.
International networking: researchers from dozens of different nationalities work together in our laboratories and almost 70% of the PhD students are foreigners.
Optional minor courses to open to new domains and boost your career.
DocWalker PhD International Mobility Program
Individual support from Université Côte d'Azur Welcome Center and PhD Study Center (housing, administrative procedures, child-care solutions, newcomers meetups...)
... and the world-envied French Riviera quality of life!

Application

Find out more at https://ds4h.univ-cotedazur.eu/education/phd/annual-campaign

Deadline for application: 3 May 2026
Interviews: from the beginning of May to mid-June
Doctoral contract starting last quarter of 2026

Profil recherché :
No specific level is expected in any language. But you must be aware that the audition at the end of the selection process will be conducted in English. This is an opportunity to test your ability to work and interact with your future colleagues.

Candidater

[Contrat doctoral] AI-based cryo-EM approach to develop and evaluate small proteins to regulate the master regulator of cellular homeostasis (joint PhD with the University of Melbourne) à Sorbonne University, IMPMC-UMR 7590

Fri, 29 May 2026 17:53:05 +0200

This project focuses on VCP/p97, a key protein that acts as a master regulator of cellular homeostasis by extracting and unfolding damaged or unwanted proteins for processing and removal [1]. Defects in VCP/p97 function are linked to several neurodegenerative and muscle diseases, while in cancer cells VCP/p97 activity is often exploited to cope with the unusually high burden of misfolded and abnormal proteins. VCP/p97 is also hijacked by many viruses to support key stages of viral infection, including entry, replication, and manipulation of host cell pathways.

In this project, a PhD student will apply AI‑based protein design approaches and leverage advanced computational tools to design small, custom‑made protein binders that can attach to VCP/p97 and alter its conformational dynamics and molecular function. The project will build on the MDSPACE image analysis software [2], and its application to characterising VCP/p97 dynamics [3], to analyse cryo‑electron microscopy (cryo-EM) datasets of VCP/p97 and VCP/97–ligand complexes. This will enable obtaining detailed maps of conformational states associated with mini-protein engagement, allowing assessment of how designed binders control VCP/p97 conformational dynamics. By combining computational protein design with biochemical experiments and high‑resolution cryo-EM, the project aims to reveal how these binders reshape the structure and behaviour of VCP/p97. This work will improve our understanding of how essential protein machines are regulated in cells and may help inform future strategies for selectively targeting proteostasis pathways in neurodegenerative disease, cancer, and viral infection.

[1] Valimehr, S., et al., Molecular Mechanisms Driving and Regulating the AAA+ ATPase VCP/p97, an Important Therapeutic Target for Treating Cancer, Neurological and Infectious Diseases. Biomolecules, 2023. 13(5).https://www.mdpi.com/2218-273X/13/5/737

[2] Vuillemot, R., et al., MDSPACE: Extracting Continuous Conformational Landscapes from Cryo-EM Single Particle Datasets Using 3D-to-2D Flexible Fitting based on Molecular Dynamics Simulation. J Mol Biol, 2023. 435(9): p. 167951.https://hal.science/hal-03929029

[3] Valimehr, S., et al., Analysis of the Conformational Landscape of the N-Domains of the AAA ATPase p97: Disentangling the Continuous Conformational Variability in Partially Symmetrical Complexes. Int J Mol Sci, 2024. 25(6). https://hal.science/hal-04519643

Profil recherché :
As this is a joint PhD program between Sorbonne University and the University of Melbourne, candidates must meet the doctoral admission requirements of both universities. For international applicants to the University of Melbourne, this generally corresponds to a very high academic level (often around 80% of the maximum grade, or equivalent depending on the grading system). In the French system, this generally corresponds to an excellent Master 2 performance, ranking among the top 10% of the class. Candidate profile : Academic background Strong background in structural biology, biophysics, computational biology, or a closely related discipline. Technical experience Existing familiarity with at least one of the following areas: Structural biology and/or cryo‑electron microscopy (cryo‑EM) Computational protein modelling and design Protein biochemistry and biophysics Interest in and capacity for development of bioinformatics methods and programming in Python Academic Eligibility Applicants must meet the PhD admission requirements of both universities: the University of Melbourne and Sorbonne University. University of Melbourne entry requirements: First Class Honours (H1) or equivalent (~80%; excellent Master 2, top 10%), and English language requirements.

Candidater