Geotechnical Engineering PhD Opportunity
Overview of the Role
This PhD position at the University of Tasmania offers a unique opportunity to contribute to cutting-edge research with real-world impact in the field of geotechnical engineering.
The project focuses on integrating geotechnical and geophysical testing methods to develop a comprehensive, cost-effective approach for assessing landslide risk in urban environments.
Urban landslides in Tasmania pose significant threats to infrastructure, public safety, and economic stability.
The research aims to generate detailed three-dimensional subsurface profiles of unstable urban slopes by combining advanced site investigation techniques—specifically Cone Penetration Testing (CPT) for high-resolution soil data and Multichannel Analysis of Surface Waves (MASW) for non-destructive mapping.
Required Skills and Qualifications
* Strong background in geotechnical engineering, civil engineering, geophysics, earth sciences, or environmental science.
* Experience or strong interest in fieldwork, particularly in geotechnical or geophysical site investigation.
* Willingness to develop expertise in advanced data analysis and numerical modeling.
* Collaborative mindset and ability to work effectively within interdisciplinary research teams.
Benefits
As a PhD student at the University of Tasmania, you will benefit from:
* A fully funded scholarship covering tuition fees and living expenses.
* Access to state-of-the-art facilities and equipment.
* Opportunities to collaborate with industry and government partners.
* A supportive research environment with world-class supervision.
What You Will Do
As a PhD student in this project, you will:
* Develop and apply advanced site investigation techniques to assess landslide risk in urban environments.
* Analyze and interpret large datasets to understand subsurface variability in unstable slopes.
* Integrate results into advanced numerical simulations to assess how spatial variability in soil properties affects landslide mechanisms and slope deformation.