a PhD opportunity on the subject of “Understanding Extraterrestrial Soil Mechanics Through Low-Gravity Laboratory Testing” at ISAE-SUPAERO in Toulouse. There is also a possibility for the student to complete a 3-to-6-month Masters-level internship on this project before starting the PhD.
The goal of this thesis is to further our understanding of the response of planetary surfaces to geotechnical testing. The thesis will involve terrestrial and low-gravity experiments using a new facility at ISAE-SUPAERO.
We are particularly interested in candidates with experience in geotechnical soil testing and those familiar with soil or granular mechanics.
The PhD thesis will be funded through the ERC GRAVITE project.
About Dr. Tuan A. Pham
Dr. Tuan A. Pham is an award-winning researcher, lecturer, and innovator in civil and geotechnical engineering. Currently based at KTH Royal Institute of Technology (Sweden), his work focuses on climate-resilient infrastructure, energy geostructures, and AI-powered design tools. Recognized among the world’s Top 2% scientists (Stanford/Elsevier), Dr. Pham has authored over 40 peer-reviewed publications and developed patented software for pile foundation design.
Born and raised in Vietnam, he earned scholarships from five countries, completed advanced degrees in Japan, France, and the UK, and now leads international collaborations across Europe, North America, and Asia. His journey—from a medalist in mechanical olympiads to a Rising Star in Geotechnics—is a testament to the power of education, perseverance, and global opportunity. Through Scholarship Idea, he shares that path to inspire and guide future scholars worldwide.
