HW62H5 France Isere Saint-Martin-d’Heres the campus of Grenoble Alpes University the Library of Science and Belledonne range in the
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).
About Dr. Tuan A. Pham
Dr. Tuan A. Pham is an award-winning researcher, lecturer, and innovator in civil and geotechnical engineering. Currently based at KTH Royal Institute of Technology (Sweden), his work focuses on climate-resilient infrastructure, energy geostructures, and AI-powered design tools. Recognized among the world’s Top 2% scientists (Stanford/Elsevier), Dr. Pham has authored over 40 peer-reviewed publications and developed patented software for pile foundation design.
Born and raised in Vietnam, he earned scholarships from five countries, completed advanced degrees in Japan, France, and the UK, and now leads international collaborations across Europe, North America, and Asia. His journey—from a medalist in mechanical olympiads to a Rising Star in Geotechnics—is a testament to the power of education, perseverance, and global opportunity. Through Scholarship Idea, he shares that path to inspire and guide future scholars worldwide.
