PhD Position in Structural Engineering and Experimental Research at The University of Alabama The University of Alabama in United States

The Kessler Structures Lab at The University of Alabama is recruiting PhD students for Spring 2027 in structural engineering and related areas of civil engineering. The lab, led by Hannah Kessler, Assistant Professor of Structural Engineering, focuses on improving the safety, resilience, and sustainability of transportation and building structures.

Research in the group includes steel systems, steel-concrete composite systems, and next-generation structural technologies. The lab uses large-scale experimental testing and numerical methods to study how materials, components, and connections behave under real-world conditions. A highlighted area is the experimental evaluation of emerging technologies, including metallic additive manufacturing, for structural systems and repair solutions.

Ideal applicants should have a strong foundation in engineering fundamentals, excellent communication skills, curiosity, and a commitment to continued learning. Interest in experimental research and hands-on laboratory work is especially valued. Experience with data acquisition, instrumentation, experimental testing, and/or numerical modeling is helpful but not required.

To apply, email a brief statement of interest, CV, and transcripts to [email protected] with the subject line Prospective PhD Student Spring 2027. The deadline for full consideration is 2026-07-15. The post states that MS and postdoctoral positions are not available at this time.