Post-Doctoral Associate in Sand Hazards and Opportunities for Resilience, Energy, and Sustainability

Westfield State University; United Arab Emirates; On-site; USD 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading university seeks a Postdoctoral Associate in geotechnical engineering to enhance predictive modeling of tunnel performance. This role involves research on ground risks in variable geologies while providing ample opportunities for collaborative projects and publication in prestigious journals.

Benefits

Highly competitive salary

Medical insurance

Housing allowance

Annual home-leave travel

Educational subsidies for children

Qualifications

• Demonstrated expertise in at least two areas of geotechnical engineering.
• Strong background in numerical modeling and ground response testing.
• Experience in subsurface characterization and geohazard assessment.

Responsibilities

• Work on predictive modeling of tunnel performance and ground risks.
• Collaborate with a multidisciplinary team on infrastructure resilience.
• Publish research in high-impact journals and contribute to project proposals.

Skills

Large-deformation numerical modeling

Physical modeling of tunnel excavation

Probabilistic and reliability-based analysis

Advanced subsurface characterization techniques

Geohazard mapping and modeling

Education

PhD in Geotechnical Engineering

PhD in Civil Engineering

PhD in a related field

Job description

Description

The Research Center SHORES seeks to recruit a Postdoctoral Associate to work in the field of geotechnical engineering.

Required Qualifications:

The ideal candidate will hold a PhD in Geotechnical Engineering, Civil Engineering, or a related field, and should demonstrate strong expertise in at least two of the following areas:

• Large-deformation numerical modeling (e.g., Coupled Eulerian-Lagrangian (CEL), Material Point Method (MPM), or advanced Finite Element Methods).
• Physical modeling of tunnel excavation and ground response (e.g., geotechnical centrifuge testing, lab-scale TBM experiments).
• Probabilistic and reliability-based analysis applied to underground structures.
• Advanced subsurface characterization techniques integrating geotechnical and geophysical data.
• Geohazard mapping and modeling, including tunnel-induced ground movements, sinkholes, landslides, or subsidence.

Research Project:

The Postdoctoral Associate will work on a research initiative to improve the predictive modeling of tunnel performance and ground risks in variable and uncertain geologies. The researcher will be embedded in a team that spans infrastructure resilience, computational geomechanics, and data-driven risk evaluation. The successful candidate will publish in high-impact journals and contribute to proposals and collaborative efforts within and outside NYUAD.

Post-Doctoral Associate Employment at NYUAD:

The terms of employment include a highly competitive salary, medical insurance, housing allowance, annual home-leave travel, and educational subsidies for children, as well as other benefits. Applicants need to submit a cover letter, curriculum vitae with full publication list, statement of research interests, a transcript, and contact information for at least two references, all in PDF format.

If you have any questions, please email Dr. Rita Sousa at [e-mail].

About NYUAD:

NYU Abu Dhabi is a degree-granting research university with a fully integrated liberal arts and science undergraduate program in the Arts, Sciences, Social Sciences, Humanities, and Engineering. NYU Abu Dhabi, NYU New York, and NYU Shanghai form the backbone of NYU's global network university, an interconnected network of campuses and centers across six continents that enable seamless international mobility for students and faculty. This global university represents a transformative shift in higher education, fostering international and multicultural perspectives. Serving as a center for scholarly thought, research, and knowledge creation, NYUAD plays a vital role at the crossroads of the Arab world.

EOE/AA/Minorities/Females/Vet/Disabled/Sexual Orientation/Gender Identity Employer

UAE Nationals are encouraged to apply.