Prospective Students
If you are interested in joining my team as a graduate researcher, you can apply to study for an MPhil/ PhD degree in Geotechnical Engineering here. I am always looking for talented and motivated students to work with me. Ideally prospective students should have a solid background in Geotechnical/ Civil/ Rock Engineering, and are competent in fundamental soils theories and numerical modelling (MATLAB/ C++/ VBA/ FEM/ DEM). You should also have a strong interest in programming, constitutive modeling, and in general solving challenging engineering problems in order to work in my group. Good English (writing + speaking + reading) and communications skills are extremely important. All nationalities are welcome.
To learn more about the HKU Ph.D. programme and scholarships, visit https://www.gradsch.hku.hk/gradsch/prospective-students/why-choose-hku
Funding opportunities
a) University Research Studentships
Applications are welcome to those who would like to study for an MPhil/ PhD degree (full-time) in my group. The basic stipend amount is presently (for the 2020-21 academic year) HK$18,030 (approximately US$2,300) per month.
Full-time MPhil and PhD students who hold a first degree at second class honours first division (or equivalent) or above are normally considered eligible for receiving Postgraduate Studentships during the normative study period. The University's Board of Graduate Studies will also take into consideration the candidates' results in Master's degrees. Studentships are tenable on an annual basis and are renewable upon satisfactory academic progress having been made and the availability of funding.
If you are interested, please contact me by email/ skype with your academic records, resume and a brief research outline. You may also email me or skype message me for informal enquiries. The deadline for Main Round Applications for Research Postgraduates is 1 December 2021.
b) Hong Kong PhD Fellowship Scheme (HKPFS)
Top-calibre applicants can consider applying the prestigious PhD fellowship offered by the Research Grants Council (RGC). The fellowship aims at attracting the best and brightest students in the world to pursue PhD studies in Hong Kong. It offers an attractive package of a monthly stipend of HK$26,600 (approximately US$3,300) and a conference and research related travel allowance of HK$13,000 (approximately US$1,600) per year for each awardee for a period of three years. HKU will provide HKPF awardees additional living allowance (HK$20-40k/year) and accommodation support.
As competition is extremely fierce, you must have an excellent academic record, research potential, communication and leadership skills in order to be considered for nominarion. Applicants who have applied for the HKPFS will be automatically considered for the award of University Postgraduate Fellowship (UPF) from HKU. The deadline for submitting an application to RGC and HKU is 1 December 2021.
Please contact me well before the closing deadline for preparation of the application. You will need to submit a solid and sound research plan, research proposal, vision statements, a short essay, together with the standard application documents in order to be considered for the award.
c) Imperial College London (ICL) and The University of Hong Kong (HKU) Joint PhD Programme
The Joint PhD program was launched in 2010 to bring together two world-class research institutions for collaborative research. The program enables students to carry out research at both HKU and Imperial, and they will benefit from excellent training and the extraordinary resources with an international perspective. Upon graduation, students will receive one certificate jointly conferred by HKU and Imperial.
Interested applicants should contact me to identify a possible research area for a recommendation of joint supervisory arrangement. The admitting university will be referred to as the home institution. Please follow the normal application procedure for PhD in your desired home institution. There is no need to submit applications to both universities as the admission decision will be made jointly by both universities. You will pay the tuition fee of the home institution for the full programme and will also apply for studentship/fellowship/financial support through the home institution.
There is an annual intake quota of 5-10 students from each institution across all disciplines. As competition will be extremely intense, applicants should possess excellent academic qualifications, research experience and communication skills in order to be considered for nomination. The deadline for application is 1 December 2014 if you intend to choose HKU as your home institution.
Please contact me well before the closing deadline for preparation of the application. You will need to submit a solid and sound research plan, research proposal, vision statements, together with the standard application documents in order to be considered for the award.
[HKU info] [Imperial info] [leaflet]
[List of potential supervisors at Imperial Geotechnics group]
Post-doc and visiting opportunities
My group is continually expanding and I am keen to host post-doc and visiting scholars to HKU. Please contact me for further discussions.
About Hong Kong
Hong Kong is an Asia's world city of cultural diversity and cosmopolitan lifestyle. Located on China's southern coast, it is a unique place where East meets West and old meets new. Whether you are coming for studying or visiting, you will be guaranteed it will be a lifetime unforgettable experience.
