The successful candidate will conduct interdisciplinary research bridging applied mathematics, mechanics, and granular physics at INRIA-TRIPOP and INRAE-ECRINS. The project addresses challenging problems in Granular Physics and Artificial Intelligence to better understand, model, and predict the dynamics of natural gravitational hazards, providing extensive opportunities for academic and industrial career development. The appointment is part of a pending research grant.

TRIPOP (Inria Grenoble Rhône-Alpes, Laboratoire Jean Kuntzmann) team specialises in modelling, simulation, control of non-smooth dynamical systems, and data-driven modelling of complex  materials.
ECRINS (INRAE, IGE) team specialises in gravity-driven natural hazards, aiming to improve understanding, prediction, and management of landslides, rockfalls, snow avalanches, and debris flows through integrated research approaches.

Supervisory team:

• Vincent Acary (INRIA-TRIPOP) vincent.acary@inria.fr
• Thierry Faug (INRAE-ECRINS) thierry.faug@inrae.fr
• Filippo Masi (INRIA-TRIPOP) filippo.masi@inria.fr
• Franck Bourrier (INRAE-ECRINS, INRIA-TRIPOP) franck.bourrier@inrae.fr

Climate change intensifies gravitational hazards with increasing threats to safety and infrastructures. Traditional modelling approaches, relying on phenomenological parameterisations of the state space determined through human trial-and-error adjustments, fail to fully capture the complex, non-smooth, and multiscale rheology of granular systems. The project seeks to develop advanced physics- and data-driven models that accurately represent granular flows and their non-smooth dynamics, aided by high-fidelity simulations and available experimental datasets.

For more details, contact: filippo.masi@inria.fr

As a PhD researcher, you will explore and develop Artificial Intelligence methods aimed at robust and high-fidelity modelling of granular systems and flows. You will focus on developing first-principled, data-driven models and advanced numerical simulations to enhance predictive accuracy.

The interdisciplinary research will integrate AI with physics and mechanics to advance scientific understanding of gravitational natural hazards and rheology. Outcomes will contribute to advancements with impact in the scientific community and the industry.

The appointment is for a duration of three years. The successful candidate will join the TRIPOP and ECRINS research groups within Inria and INRAE-IGE. Both groups provide an engaging, collaborative research environment with access to state-of-the-art computing resources, field and laboratory facilities, and numerous opportunities for professional development.

The position also includes opportunities to engage in academic activities, such as supervising Master’s and undergraduate students.