PhD Positions Available

Two fully funded Ph.D. positions are available in the GeoClay group (https://sites.google.com/view/xjzheng/). Successful candidates are expected to begin in August 2026. These positions broadly focus on geotechnical engineering applications (e.g., waste isolation), with an emphasis on the properties and behaviors of clay, soil, rock, and other porous materials in the presence of organics, contaminants, and other foreign substances, using advanced computational tools such as molecular simulations and computational fluid dynamics.

Qualifications for Ph.D. Applicants

• Hold a bachelor’s or, preferably, a master’s degree in Civil Engineering, Geotechnical Engineering, Petroleum Engineering, 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.

About NTU

In 2025, NTU ranked 12th in the QS World University Rankings, 27th in the U.S. News & World Report, and 30th in the Times Higher Education (THE) World Rankings. In Asia, NTU was ranked 2nd by QS Asia and 5th by THE Asia. In the subject area of Civil and Structural Engineering, NTU CEE was ranked 9th globally by QS World.

How to Apply

• Interested applicants for the Ph.D. program should submit their official application by January 31, 2026 (https://www.ntu.edu.sg/admissions/graduate/radmissionguide), for enrollment in August 2026. Candidates are strongly encouraged to contact the PI in advance by emailing a single PDF file that includes (1) a cover letter (including a paragraph describing research interests), (2) a CV (with contact information of 2–3 references), 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, (2) a curriculum vitae, and (3) one representative publication.

Visiting Researchers / Visiting Scientists

• NTU typically does not provide funding support for Visiting Researchers or Visiting Scientists. Candidates who have external funding* 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 that includes (1) a cover letter with a brief description of research interests and (2) a curriculum vitae.

Visiting PhD Students

• The PI welcomes visiting PhD students supported by external funding*. To discuss potential fit, interested candidates are encouraged to 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. 

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.