Multi-hazard risk assessment

Position description:The Department of Civil, Structural and Environmental Engineering is seeking a funded PhD student to study the compounding risk of coastal flooding-related saltwater deterioration and seismic hazard. 

Current seismic risk predictions consider buildings only in their pristine states. However, many buildings in coastal earthquake-prone regions could undergo corrosion deterioration due to exposure to salty seawater, which increases their vulnerability to earthquakes. Such buildings are also at risk of coastal flooding due to storm surge, high tides, and rising sea levels, all factors that are being exacerbated by climate change. Communities in these areas need support to measure the compounding risk of saltwater deterioration and earthquakes and to identify effective mitigation options.

Preferred skills and knowledge:

• Background in reinforced concrete and steel structures, corrosion engineering, earthquake engineering, risk assessment, or community resilience.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• A master’s degree in civil engineering or a related field.
• Experience with specialized software such as OpenSees and ArcGIS.

Financial support: Doctoral students are supported with a stipend, paid tuition and health care. Financial support after the first year is contingent on academic standing and research progress.

Contact associate professors Pinar Okumus, Ravi Ranade and/or Negar Elhami-Khorasani for the position description and Rosemary Lombardo, graduate studies coordinator, for other information, including admission, visas, and the graduate program in the department.