Fully Funded PhD in Mechanical/Civil Engineering: Structural Health Monitoring, Smart Sensing, and Digital Twins University of Rhode Island in United States

Fully funded PhD opportunity at the University of Rhode Island for Fall 2026 in Mechanical Engineering / Civil Engineering. The research group is looking for a highly motivated PhD student to join work on structural health monitoring, damage diagnosis and prognosis, structural dynamics, smart sensing, and physics-based and data-driven digital twins.

The project emphasizes experimental, numerical, and field-based monitoring applications, with a broader focus on interpretable and practical methods for condition assessment, damage detection, and long-term monitoring of engineering systems. The group’s work also includes hybrid physics-based and AI-enabled modeling for civil and coastal infrastructure.

This is a fully funded PhD position and includes a Research Assistantship (RA) and a Teaching Assistantship (TA), whichever is available. The post notes that priority will be given to candidates who are currently in the U.S. and can start immediately.

Eligible applicants should have a bachelor’s or master’s degree in mechanical engineering, civil engineering, ocean engineering, or a related field. Preferred preparation includes system monitoring, system identification, and programming experience in MATLAB, Python, or similar languages, along with strong communication skills.

To apply, email Dr. Vahid Jahangiri at [email protected] with the subject line URI PhD Application. Include a CV, unofficial transcripts, and a cover letter describing your research background and motivation.

Application timing: Fall 2026.