PhD Openings in Structural Engineering, Advanced Materials, Automated Construction, and AI-Assisted Simulation Penn State in United States

Botong Zheng, Incoming Assistant Professor at Penn State, is recruiting highly motivated PhD students for Fall 2026 at the University Park campus. The openings are in a research group working at the intersection of structural engineering, advanced materials, automated construction, large-scale experimental testing, computational modeling, and AI-assisted simulation.

The group is especially interested in applicants with strong preparation in one or both of the following areas: (1) experimental, fabrication, and hands-on research, including advanced materials, automated construction, instrumentation, data acquisition, and structural testing; and (2) computational modeling, programming, and AI-assisted simulation, including mechanics, materials, microstructures, construction processes, and infrastructure performance.

The positions are expected to be fully funded and include competitive graduate assistantship packages. This is a PhD opportunity rather than a scholarship announcement.

Applicants should review the application instructions on the provided link and apply for the Fall 2026 opening. Students with backgrounds in civil engineering, materials science, mechanics, programming, and AI-enabled simulation may be a strong fit.

Institution: Penn State (Pennsylvania State University), United States. Deadline normalized from the seasonal call to 2026-08-01.