Hannah Kessler

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.