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Nicolas Seigneur

Nicolas Seigneur

Researcher Scientist

Center · GEOSCIENCES

Keywords

Team

HR - Hydrodynamique et Réactions

Biography

Nicolas Seigneur is a researcher specializing in the study of hydrogeochemical processes and reactive transport as they relate to environmental and industrial issues. His work focuses in particular on the durability of cementitious materials, the management of mining and radioactive waste, and the environmental impact of mining techniques, such as in-situ uranium recovery (ISR). His research is based on a multidisciplinary approach combining laboratory experiments, advanced geochemical analyses (XRD, SEM-EDS, TRLFS, etc.), and numerical modeling using tools such as HYTEC. He has helped elucidate the mechanisms of concrete aging—notably by drawing on historical analogues such as Roman concrete—and quantify natural attenuation processes in aquifers impacted by mining activities. His recent work also explores thermo-hydro-mechanical-chemical (THMC) interactions to assess the long-term performance of containment materials and engineered barriers.

Publication(s)

Teaching

Geoscience and the Anthropocene (GA)

Lecturer

The “Geosciences and the Anthropocene” GA course takes place at several sites impacted by human activity, specifically chosen to deepen students’ understanding of the challenges related to climate change and the energy transition. This course is organized as a one-week intensive off-campus session. For logistical reasons related to the large number of students, the class is divided into six groups working independently under the guidance of a multidisciplinary teaching team. The six groups will be based in the following areas: Paris and Morvan (Île-de-France) Digne-les-Bains and surrounding area (Alpes-de-Haute-Provence) Laragne and surrounding area (Hautes-Alpes) Romanche and Drac Valleys (Isère and Hautes-Alpes) Western Pyrenees (French and Spanish) Roya Valley (Alpes-Maritimes) For each group, the teaching team consists of 2 to 3 faculty members, each of whom will supervise a group of 8 students. Within these small groups, instruction will alternate between observation sessions of natural objects, independent work sessions in which students are invited to observe and analyze the geological terrain relevant to the instruction they have received, tutorials, and visits to key sites or engineering structures. Over the course of the week, each team will present the results of their workshops to all the students in their group.

General Engineering Professions (MIG)

Lecturer

A MIG is a personalized, project-based learning program that brings together a group of 12 or 14 students, guided by the School’s faculty members, to explore a complex problem in its various dimensions—including, of course, scientific and technical aspects, but also cross-disciplinary aspects (socioeconomics, management, law, the environment, etc., depending on the field being studied). Ten different topics are offered. They all reflect current research themes being developed by the School’s centers and industry. The challenges students will tackle through these 10 projects address major issues facing the industry of the future and society: From Energy Resource Transformation to Management, Data Science and Innovative Applications, Raw Materials Extraction and Environmental Impact, Design and Materials for Aerospace and Automotive, and Medical and Hospital Care Engineering Each MIG topic is addressed through complementary and interlinked activities during an intensive three-week period: - company visits, lectures, and classes - a period of experimentation and/or modeling at a research center or in a company, in the form of mini-projects carried out in small groups. In addition, each group of students collectively summarizes the work completed in the form of a written report and an oral presentation before a panel of industry professionals. This presentation will allow you to better understand all aspects of the topic and to deepen your teamwork skills.

VS Geology Internship

Lecturer

Geosciences (GEOSCIENCES) track

Guest Lecturer

The program is organized into two main periods at the École des Mines: one month in September/October and 15 days in January, as well as an internship period that takes place either at a company or in a research laboratory. The geosciences track is directly linked to the research conducted at the Geosciences Center and involves numerous faculty members from that center, who equip students with the necessary knowledge to engage effectively in meetings and visits with professionals. The two periods—in the fall and in January—consist of lectures, field trips, and mini-projects on the one hand, and site visits and meetings with professionals on the other. The table below outlines the topics covered and the teaching methods. Topic Lectures and Mini-Projects Site Visits, Meetings with Professionals Risk Assessment and Uncertainty Management Risks Associated with Soil Pollution Geostatistical Tools BRGM - Landslide risks Monitoring / characterization Sampling in natural environments Geophysical tools Georeferencing Hydrogeological monitoring Fiber optics Invisensing - Fiber optics research Eau de Paris / SAUR Storengy - Research Center Spotlight – “Continuous Monitoring” Startup Understanding Natural Phenomena and Human Interactions Behavior of Pollutants in Natural Environments Geochemistry Hydrogeochemistry Seismic Imaging Volcanic systems Andra - Underground laboratory for studying nuclear waste storage CGG - Research and data processing center GISFI - Experimental site on a brownfield site Storengy - Research center Resource and waste management Geothermal potential Induced seismicity Hydrogeology in fractured environments Eau de Paris / SAUR Storengy - Underground gas storage site Fonroche - Deep geothermal power plant Ileva - Waste treatment and recovery center EDF - Sainte Rose Hydroelectric Power Plant TOTAL Group CIGEO Project Prevention, Management, and Remediation Participatory Initiatives Artelia New Coastal Road Construction Project in Saint Denis, Réunion EVOLEN Symposium What do young graduates go on to do? Some continue their education by pursuing a Ph.D. in geosciences, through industrial collaborations or academic theses: Stanford, ENS, CNRS, CEA, IPGP, MINES Paris Some begin additional training Petroleum Engineering at Texas A&M / IFP School / Corps des Mines Some enter the industrial sector, consulting, or public administration: Technic-Atome, EDF, TOTAL, NAVAL, AIR LIQUIDE, SUEZ ARTELIA, MAZAR, AGENCE FRANCAISE DE DEVELOPPEMENT, DRIEE

Natural Environments (Research Quarter)

Course Director

PhD supervision

  • 2026 Evaluation of the interest in in-situ uranium recovery in the context of consolidated sandstones. RENAUDIN Paul
  • 2023 Etude expérimentale et numérique du comportement chimie-mécanique d’un matériau cimentaire soumis à une dégradation millénaire, application aux ciments hydrauliques romains Fructueux Sohounme
  • 2021 Multi-criteria optimization of uranium mining by In Situ Recovery DOUCMAK Razane