PhD Studentship in Geotechnical Engineering University of Oxford in United Kingdom

[Full award: fees plus stipend. Course fees are covered at the level set for home or overseas students, as applicable. Stipend is approximately £21,805 per year for the first year and at least this amount for a further two and a half years.]

PhD/D.Phil. studentship in Geotechnical Engineering at the University of Oxford

This 3.5-year D.Phil. studentship is based in the Department of Engineering Science at the University of Oxford and focuses on nature-based and biomimetic foundation systems. The project is supervised by Professor Jonathan Knappett and Professor Chris Martin.

The research investigates how tree root systems act as natural foundations under combinations of vertical, horizontal, and moment loading. Using numerical modelling of complex root-soil interaction alongside physical model testing, the project aims to identify the controlling mechanisms that govern resistance and overturning stability. The work has direct relevance to windthrow hazard assessment, as well as broader applications such as mangrove protection against tsunamis.

In a second phase, the project will use insights from tree root architecture to develop and evaluate biomimetic foundation concepts. These concepts may be scaled and optimised for applications including railway electrification gantries, transmission towers, solar farms, floating offshore renewable energy systems, and low-rise buildings in remote areas. The project is especially appealing to students interested in geotechnical engineering, structural mechanics, modelling, and sustainable infrastructure design, with a focus on reducing embodied carbon and material use.

Funding: This studentship is fully funded through the Department of Engineering Science. It is open to both home and overseas students. Course fees are covered at the appropriate home or overseas rate, and the stipend is approximately £21,805 per year for the first year, with at least this amount for a further two and a half years.

Eligibility and requirements: Applicants should hold a first-class or strong upper second-class undergraduate degree with honours, or equivalent, in Engineering, Applied Mathematics, or Physics. Prior study in Geotechnical Engineering, Structural Engineering, or a cognate area such as Continuum Mechanics or mechanical component/materials testing is expected. Strong written and spoken English is required, meeting the University’s higher-level entry requirements. Programming in Matlab or Python and experience with Finite Element Analysis are desirable.

Application: Candidates must submit a graduate application form through the University’s application system and should quote reference 27ENGCI_JK. Informal enquiries should be directed to Professor Jonathan Knappett at [email protected]. The deadline is noon on 2 December 2026, with a start date of October 2027.