Call for Expression of Interest for MSCA Postdoctoral fellowships at UNIGE – N. 19 Constitutive[]

Department of Civil, Chemical and Environmental Engineering (DICCA) Description - Call for Expression of Interest for a joint application under the upcoming Call for MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships 2025 The University of Genoa, UNIGE, located in Genoa, ITALY, welcomes postdoctoral researchers of any nationality, with an excellent track record, to apply to the European Commission Marie Sklodowska-Curie (MSCA) Postdoctoral Fellowships 2025. Our University has been a beneficiary of several MSCA-PF in Horizon 2020 and Horizon Europe. The Marie Sklodowska Curie (MSCA) Postdoctoral Fellowship is one of the funding schemes of the European Commission’s Horizon Europe Research & Innovation programme, dedicated to excellent research promoting international mobility, as well as interdisciplinary and intersectoral exchanges. MSCA fellowship grants provide a competitive salary plus mobility and family allowances if applicable, as well as a contribution to cover research, training, and networking costs. The research projects will have 2- or 3-year durations. Selected candidates will be provided with special support for proposal writing and development . The University of Genoa will organize in May the fifth edition of the Masterclass MSCAUniGe. Selected candidate researchers will have the opportunity to attend a 2-day online intensive training and coaching course on how to write a successful proposal. This masterclass is a pathway of support to candidates and their supervisors in preparing project proposals, including prescreening activity of the draft proposals and the organization of dedicated B2B meetings, by the European Research Office of UniGe, National Contact Point, and other experts. The masterclass will take place on May/June 2025 . MSCA domain: Information Science and Engineering (ENG); Research Project Description Geotechnical Engineering Our research in geotechnical engineering addresses a broad range of soil-related challenges, focusing on safe and efficient design. We study the mechanical properties of soils in relation to their interaction with structural systems. Using advanced testing and modeling techniques, we aim to optimize the design and performance of foundations, slopes, and other geotechnical infrastructures. Soil Mechanics Soil mechanics is central to our research, with a particular focus on unsaturated soils. We investigate the fundamental properties of soils to improve predictions of their constitutive behavior under various loading conditions as well as during wetting and drying cycles. Piled Foundations We develop innovative methods for designing and evaluating the performance of deep foundation systems, including those in unsaturated soils and under horizontal loads. Through experimental studies and numerical modeling, we enhance the reliability, efficiency, and sustainability of piled foundations, particularly in challenging site conditions. This work is critical for ensuring the stability and durability of foundations for special structures such as wind and solar power plants. Slope Stability Our research seeks to understand and mitigate landslide risks by evaluating the impact of environmental factors such as rainfall. By integrating numerical modeling, laboratory testing, and field investigations, we create more accurate and reliable tools for assessing slope stability. This work is especially important for protecting infrastructure in the Liguria region, where our university is based, as well as for safeguarding communities and natural landscapes. Earth Building We explore the use of natural and sustainable materials, such as clay, sand, and gravel, for the construction of residential buildings. Our research examines the mechanical properties of these materials, their suitability for structural applications, and the methods to enhance their performance. By advancing earth-building practices, we promote eco-friendly construction methods that lower the carbon footprint of buildings and provide a sustainable alternative to traditional materials. Multiphase Hydro-Thermo-Mechanical Coupling in Porous Media Our team studies the intricate interactions among multiphase fluid flow, thermal transfer, and mechanical deformation in porous media. This research is crucial for understanding soil behavior in diverse contexts, particularly the relationship between multiphase fluid flow and mechanical properties affecting the stability of geotechnical structures. Our research focuses on environmentally friendly soil stabilization techniques to improve hydro-mechanical properties, including strength, stiffness, durability, and permeability. We investigate approaches such as bio-polymers, enzymatic catalysis, and geopolymerization, emphasizing minimal environmental impact. These methods have valuable applications in construction, agriculture, and land restoration. Research Group The Soil Mechanics Group at the University of Genoa consists of four full-time and one part-time staff members. The group's expertise covers a wide range of geotechnical disciplines, from fundamental studies on the constitutive modeling of unsaturated soils to the numerical implementation of these models in computational codes, as well as their application to practical engineering challenges. Additionally, the group collaborates with environmental and chemical engineers on projects related to landslide mitigation, groundwater management, and soil stabilization through sustainable binders, including bio-polymer and enzymatic treatments. For MSCA-PF 25 call (opening foreseen on 9th April 2025), at the deadline for the submission of proposals (10th September 2025), postdoctoral candidates shall have a maximum of 8 years of postdoctoral research experience and must not have resided or carried out their main activities in Italy (for European Fellowship) or in the Third Country of the outgoing phase (for Global Fellowship) for more than 12 months in the 3 years immediately prior to the abovementioned deadline. More info on MSCA PF at the following link: J-18808-Ljbffr

Location: provincia-di-genova, IT

Posted Date: 1/31/2025