School of Civil Engineering at University College Dublin (UCD), Ireland, invites applications for a fully funded 4-year PhD position in Geotechnical Engineering, starting in September 2026. The project will investigate the long-term performance of marine sediments improved through bio-mediated (biochemical) processes, with relevance to offshore renewable energy foundations and subsea infrastructure.
Supervisors: Dr Budi Zhao and Prof. Shane Donohue (Co-supervisor).
EU and non-EU applicants are welcome.
The scholarship provides a €25,000 annual stipend plus full tuition fee coverage (subject to satisfactory progress).
To apply, email one combined PDF (CV, transcript, contact details for two referees) to budi.zhao@ucd.ie with subject “PhD Application – [Your Name]”.
Application deadline: 1 February 2026.
Full details and application instructions are provided in the attached PDF.
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.
