Funded PhD Position

The Geomechanics Laboratory at Missouri University of Science and Technology (Missouri S&T) has an
immediate PhD position, which is anticipated to start in Spring 2023.
The Geomechanics group at Missouri S&T works on a wide range of fundamental and applied aspects of rock
mechanics. Our main focus areas are field and laboratory characterization of geomaterials and rock masses,
instrumentation design, instrumentation and analysis of rock engineering sites, and numerical modeling of
underground excavations and rock slopes. Our research includes active collaborations with industry, universities,
and government research agencies.

The successful candidates for this position will be part of an interdisciplinary team that is involved with
developing a new engineering-based rib classification system, Coal Pillar Rib Rating (CPRR) system, for the
purpose of reducing rib hazards in underground coal mines.
Minimum Qualifications
The successful candidate will meet the following required criteria:
• MS in a related field (mining engineering, civil engineering, geological engineering, or other related
fields) focusing on rock mechanics
• Experience in developing numerical models drawing on the in-depth theoretical understanding of
numerical methods, including 3D finite difference, distinct element, and finite element methods
• Experience with preparation and laboratory testing of rock samples
• Excellent written and communication skills as demonstrated by a record of peer-reviewed publications
and oral presentations at conferences and meetings

To be considered for this position, please email your CV and cover letter to Dr. Taghi Sherizadeh at
sherizadeh@mst.edu by October 15.
The cover letter should include a short biography, research interests, future career goals, and how you meet each
of the minimum qualifications listed above. Important Note: The subject line of the email should contain "PhD
application SP 2023".

Taghi Sherizadeh Ph.D.

Assistant Professor
Department of Mining & Explosive Engineering
324 McNutt Hall, 1400 N. Bishop Ave., Rolla, MO 65409-0840
573-341-6194 | sherizadeh@mst.edu
Two Fully Funded PhD Positions at the University of Arizona
Two fully funded PhD positions are available in the semester of Spring 2023 or Fall 2023 in the Department
of Civil and Architectural Engineering and Mechanics (CAEM) at the University of Arizona (U of A). The
admitted PhD students are expected to work with Prof. Liang Zhang in a broad area of Computing and
Modeling for Decarbonization and Sustainability in Smart Buildings and Cities. The specific research
topics include but are not limited to 1) grid-interactive efficient buildings, 2) AI in building control, 3) heat
pump technology, 4) smart and connected communities, and 5) urban building energy modeling (UBEM).

Position Requirements
• All applicants must satisfy the University of Arizona graduate program admission requirements:
https://caem.engineering.arizona.edu/grad-programs/admissions
• A bachelor’s or master’s degree in Architectural Engineering, Civil Engineering, Electrical
Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Computer Science, or a relevant field
• Self-motivation, critical thinking, and enthusiasm for scientific research
• Project-based or research-based programming experience (Python is preferred)
• Independent and collaborative research experience with at least one peer-reviewed publication
• (Preferred) Experience or knowledge in building energy modeling (e.g., EnergyPlus and
OpenStudio), HVAC equipment and design, high performance computing (HPC), or deep learning

How to Apply
Please send a package of your 1) CV, including GRE (and TOEFL, if needed) scores, research experience,
publications, and contact information of three references, 2) transcript, 3) one-page research/personal
statement to Prof. Liang Zhang at liangzhang1@arizona.edu with the subject of “PhD Admission + Your
Name”. The application review has already begun and will be performed on a rolling basis, so it is
recommended to contact early. Applicants with specific research questions or general inquiries are
encouraged to reach out to Prof. Zhang. With further notice, applications must be submitted on the
graduate admissions portal (https://caem.engineering.arizona.edu/grad-programs/admissions) by
1/1/2023 for 2023 Fall admission.

About U of A
The University of Arizona (U of A) is a top-100 global university located in Tucson, Arizona. U of A is
classified among "R1: Doctoral Universities – Very high research activity". In 2022, it is ranked at 99 in US
News Global Universities, 101-150 in ARWU (Shanghai Ranking), and 150 in Times Higher Education (THE
ranking). U of A is ranked at 64 in Best Engineering School by US news across the nation in 2022. Six Nobel
Laureates are affiliated with U of A.
PhD Positions Available in Engineering focused on Resilient Infrastructure Systems

Your Role
The School of Environmental, Civil, Agricultural and Mechanical Engineering at the University of
Georgia (UGA) seeks to recruit two PhD students to join Dr. Alysha Helmrich’s research group as soon
as Spring 2023. You should hold a BS or MS in civil engineering, environmental engineering, sustainable
engineering, systems engineering, or related discipline. You should have strong interests in
sustainability, resilience, urban systems, systems thinking, and/or equity. Focus on any area of
infrastructure (or multiple areas, including, but not limited to, water, power, transportation, buildings,
transportation, etc.) is welcome, and interest in research extending beyond the traditional bounds of civil
and environmental engineering are encouraged. You must be fluent in English (oral and written).
Graduate research assistantship stipends pay $24 - 30k per year and include tuition and other benefits.

About PhD Engineering - Resilient Infrastructure Systems Emphasis

Infrastructure systems support the basic needs and functions of modern industrialized society including
energy, water and sewage, transportation, communications, and public facilities. Resilience is the capacity
of individuals, communities, and systems to anticipate, prepare for, and adapt to changing conditions,
recover from threats, and thrive in the future. The Resilient Infrastructure Systems program focuses on
innovative solutions that help communities, businesses, and governments mitigate risks – and seize
opportunities – associated with environmental change, extreme weather, and climate-related events by
rethinking, transforming, and adapting infrastructure systems to strengthen economic, environmental, and
social resilience. The program offers students the opportunity to conduct integrative research focused on
built and natural infrastructure systems related to transportation, environment and water, energy, and food,
and their interconnections. Students may tailor a plan of coursework to their interests by drawing from
UGA’s extensive course offerings spanning several engineering disciplines, earth and atmospheric
sciences, environmental design, ecology, public health, law and policy, and the social sciences.

More information about UGA, Athens, and the Institute for Resilient Infrastructure Systems (IRIS) – all
of which you would be a part of – is available on the following page.

About the PI
Dr. Alysha Helmrich (she/her) is an Assistant Professor in the College of Engineering at the University of
Georgia. Her research is focused on urban resilience and navigating periods of stability and instability.
She has expertise in multiscale infrastructure systems, systems-thinking (specifically, complexity and
social-ecological-technological systems (SETS) perspectives), and decision-making under uncertainty. Dr.
Helmrich is the lead coordinator and a co-host of the Future Cities Podcast, a podcast that aims to increase
awareness of, and to catalyze action on, urban resilience.

You may contact Dr. Alysha Helmrich directly for further information or intent to apply at
ahelmrich@uga.edu with ‘PhD Applicant’ in the subject line. Please include your resume/CV, unofficial
transcripts, and a statement of research interests in your application. See graduate admission information
for UGA here: https://engineering.uga.edu/phd-engineering/resilient. The position is open until November
15th or until filled. Graduate admission applications are due on October 15 for international students and
November 15 for domestic students for a Spring 2023 admission.
About UGA
The University of Georgia, a land-grant and sea-grant university, is one of the nation’s oldest, most
comprehensive, and most diversified institutions of higher education. UGA is currently ranked among the
top 16 public universities by U.S. News & World Report. The University’s main campus is located in
Athens, approximately 65 miles northeast of Atlanta. The University’s enrollment is nearly 40,000
students including over 30,000 undergraduates and over 9,000 graduate and professional students.

The College of Engineering, formed on July 1, 2012, is building a vibrant academic environment that
fosters engineering education in a liberal arts environment and research that addresses critical societal
needs. The College offers eight accredited undergraduate and seven graduate engineering degree
programs spanning all engineering fields. The college has grown rapidly to more than 2,400
undergraduate and graduate students and 85 faculty members.

Living in Athens
There is something for everyone in the Classic City of Athens, Georgia. Whether you are a fan of the
distinctively local restaurants, the locally-roasted coffee, the nationally-known music scene, or the city’s
many historic treasures, Athens is a classic college town with plenty to keep you busy. Athens provides its
residents with a small community feel, where there is truly a place for everyone. It is the perfect mix of
education, fun, sports, and traditions – which are taken very seriously at UGA. Come ring the Chapel Bell
to celebrate your biggest victories during your graduate fellowship and walk under the Arch when you
reach the end of your journey.

UGA’s campus is just a few steps away from downtown Athens, giving students easy access to Athens’s
thriving culture. More than 65 specialty shops, 55 restaurants and cafes, and 40 taverns and music venues
line the streets of downtown. Over the years, Athens has become a cultural hotspot, and a mecca for
music and arts. Located in the rolling foothills of the northeast Georgia mountains, Athens is only an hour
from Atlanta, the ninth-largest metropolitan area in the U.S. and home to the busiest airport in the world.

About the Institute for Resilient Infrastructure Systems (IRIS)

Formed at the University of Georgia in 2017, the Institute for Resilient Infrastructure Systems (IRIS) was
created to advance the integration of natural and conventional infrastructure systems to strengthen
society’s resilience to flooding, sea level rise, drought, extreme heat, and other challenges through
research and education. As a highly interdisciplinary organization, students who join the IRIS team will
work with faculty members from over 15 disciplines and will have the opportunity to partner with
organizations and businesses to help them put practical natural infrastructure solutions to work for them.