Openings

PhD Position Available

One fully funded Ph.D. position is available in the Environmental and Energy Geotechnics group (https://sites.google.com/view/xjzheng/). The position offers opportunities to conduct research across a broad range of geotechnical engineering applications, including underground engineering, rock mechanics, environmental remediation, mineralogy, and the fundamental behavior and properties of geomaterials.

Qualifications for Ph.D. Applicants

• Hold a bachelor’s or, preferably, a master’s degree in Civil Engineering, Environmental Engineering, Geotechnical Engineering, Petroleum Engineering, Material Science, or a related field.

• Must meet the minimum admission requirements of NTU: https://www.ntu.edu.sg/cee/admissions/graduate/detail/cee-phd-programme-(by-research)#admission.

• Demonstrated proficiency in written and spoken English and a strong motivation for research.

• Experience with computational tools is preferred, but not required, including molecular simulation packages (e.g., LAMMPS, Materials Studio), computational fluid dynamics software (e.g., OpenFOAM), and AI/ML tools.

About NTU

In 2026, NTU ranked 12th in the QS World University Rankings, 28th in the U.S. News & World Report, and 31st in the THE World Rankings. In Asia, NTU was ranked 3rd by QS Asia and 4th by THE Asia. In the subject area of Civil and Structural Engineering, NTU CEE was ranked 6th globally by QS World. Research scholarship information can be found here: https://www.ntu.edu.sg/admissions/graduate/financialmatters/scholarships/rss#Content_C006_Col00 

How to Apply

Interested applicants for the Ph.D. program should submit their official application by July 31, 2026 (https://www.ntu.edu.sg/admissions/graduate/radmissionguide), for enrollment in January 2027. At the same time, candidates are also encouraged to contact the PI Xiaojin Zheng in advance by emailing a single PDF file that includes (1) a cover letter (including a paragraph describing research interests), (2) a CV, and (3) academic transcripts (undergraduate and, if available, graduate levels). Please send the email to xiaojin.zheng@ntu.edu.sg with the subject line: “PhD application_Name_Affiliation”. If you have multiple documents, combine them into a single PDF. The name of this PDF file should match the subject line of your email (e.g., PhD application_Michael Lee_UT Austin.pdf).

Other positions

Postdoctoral Researchers

• At present, there are no funded postdoctoral openings available in our group. However, candidates who have or are considering alternative funding sources* (e.g., the China Scholarship Council, CSC) are encouraged to contact the PI to discuss potential opportunities. Interested candidates should email a single PDF to xiaojin.zheng@ntu.edu.sg that includes (1) a cover letter with a brief description of research interests, and (2) a curriculum vitae.

Visiting Researchers / Visiting Scientists / Visiting PhD Students

• NTU typically does not provide funding support for Visiting Researchers, Visiting Scientists, and Visiting PhD Students. Candidates who have external funding* (e.g., CSC) to support their visit are welcome to contact the PI to explore potential collaborations. Please email a single PDF to xiaojin.zheng@ntu.edu.sg containing (1) a cover letter with a brief description of research interests, (2) a curriculum vitae, and (3) for Visiting PhD applicants only, academic transcripts from the undergraduate level and, if available, the graduate level.

Self-Funded Graduate Students

• Funding in the group is competitive. Applicants who are considering self-funded graduate studies may therefore have a higher likelihood of successful admission. To explore potential opportunities, candidates should email a single PDF to xiaojin.zheng@ntu.edu.sg containing (1) a cover letter with a brief description of research interests, (2) a curriculum vitae, and (3) academic transcripts at the undergraduate level and, if available, the graduate level.

* In the email, if you have indicated external funding, please indicate whether you have already secured funding or are planning to apply for funding, and specify the proposed start date and duration of your visit.

Fellowships

Alternatively, you are also encouraged to check out the following fellowships or scholarships opportunities.

For Postdoctoral Researchers:

Lee Kuan Yew Postdoctoral Fellowship (LKYPDF)

Visiting Outstanding Young and Advanced Global Experts (VOYAGE) Fellowship

Singapore–Southeast Asia Fellowship (S-SEAF)  OPEN NOW

The Singapore–Southeast Asia Fellowship (S-SEAF) supports postdoctoral researchers from ASEAN countries to conduct research in Singapore. Eligible inbound applicants include researchers who are citizens of Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, Vietnam, the Philippines, Myanmar, Cambodia, Laos, and Brunei. The fellowship can support researchers for up to two years in Singapore. The application deadline for the current cycle is 1 August, with results expected in November. Postdoctoral researchers interested in joining my group at Nanyang Technological University via this fellowship are welcome to email me at xiaojin.zheng@ntu.edu.sg with their CV and submit their official applications online. Current research interests in my group include marine clay, environmental remediation, waste isolation, underground space development, sediment transport, clay-based functional materials, geo-environmental systems, molecular simulations, computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations, and ML/AI-assisted scientific computing. 

For Graduate Students:

Nanyang President’s Graduate Scholarship (NPGS)