Fully Funded PhD Position in Civil & Environmental Engineering at Lamar University, USA (Fall 2026 / Spring 2027)

Brief Overview if the Position

University: Lamar University
Department: Civil & Environmental Engineering
Location: Beaumont, Texas, USA
Degree: PhD (Doctoral Program)
Funding: Full Tuition Waiver + Monthly Stipend + Benefits
Start Term: Fall 2026 or Spring 2027
Supervisor: Dr. Haoran Li

Overview

Lamar University is seeking applications from highly motivated students for a fully funded PhD position in Civil and Environmental Engineering beginning in Fall 2026 or Spring 2027.

The position will be supervised by Dr. Haoran Li, an incoming Assistant Professor at Lamar University and current Postdoctoral Associate at the MIT Concrete Sustainability Hub. His research focuses on leveraging artificial intelligence, machine learning, life-cycle assessment, digital twins, and climate-resilient infrastructure to address real-world engineering challenges.

Students will join a growing research group collaborating with state Departments of Transportation (DOTs), the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), and industry partners on impactful infrastructure projects.

Research Areas

The successful candidate will work at the intersection of civil engineering, artificial intelligence, sustainability, and infrastructure resilience.

Research topics include:

• AI and data-driven infrastructure performance prediction
• Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) of transportation infrastructure
• Life Cycle Cost Analysis (LCCA)
• Digital Twin systems for infrastructure monitoring and management
• Climate-resilient infrastructure design under extreme weather conditions
• Physics-informed machine learning and surrogate modeling
• Sustainable construction materials
• Low-carbon infrastructure strategies

Funding Benefits

Selected students will receive:

Full tuition waiver

Competitive monthly stipend

Additional university benefits

Opportunity to collaborate with leading researchers and industry stakeholders

Access to cutting-edge computational and infrastructure research projects.

Eligibility Requirements

Applicants should possess:

• B.S. or M.S. degree (preferred) in:
  
  • Civil Engineering
  • Environmental Engineering
  • Mechanical Engineering
  • Computer Science
  • Or a closely related field
• Strong academic record
• Genuine interest in research
• Good written and verbal English communication skills.

Preferred Qualifications

Candidates with one or more of the following experiences are encouraged to apply:

• Programming in Python, MATLAB, or R
• Machine learning frameworks such as:
  
  • PyTorch
  • TensorFlow
  • Scikit-learn
• Pavement engineering
• Structural engineering
• Geotechnical engineering
• Finite element modeling software (ABAQUS, ANSYS, etc.)
• Academic writing and publication experience

Why Apply?

This is an excellent opportunity for students interested in combining Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, Sustainability, and Infrastructure Engineering to solve large-scale societal challenges.

Working with Dr. Li’s group will provide exposure to interdisciplinary research and collaborations with transportation agencies and industry partners while developing expertise in rapidly growing research fields.

Application Process

Interested applicants should send the following documents:

• Updated CV
• Academic transcripts
• Brief statement of research interests

Email Application To

Email: [email protected]

Subject Line:
[Doctoral Application] – Your Name

Early applications are strongly encouraged as positions may be filled before the official start date.