PhD in Structural Engineering: Florida International University (FIU) invites applications for two fully funded PhD positions in Structural Engineering. The program begins Spring 2026 in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering.
Position Overview – PhD in Structural Engineering
FIU seeks motivated PhD students to join Dr. Omar Nofal’s research group. The research focuses on community resilience analysis with attention to:
- Coastal hazards: surge, wave, and wind
- Risk and vulnerability analysis of buildings and infrastructure
- Damage and loss modeling
- Functionality and recovery assessment at the building and community level
- Digital twin modeling and catastrophe modeling
Applicants should have:
- B.S. and M.S. degrees in Structural, Industrial, or Systems Engineering, Construction Management, Computer Science, or a related field
- Strong English writing and communication skills
- Ability to work independently and as part of a team
- Programming skills in MATLAB, C/C++, Java, Python, or similar languages
Funding and Benefits
- Full tuition coverage
- Competitive research assistantship stipend
- Access to advanced labs and computing facilities
About Florida International University
FIU is a top-50 public university, classified as an R1: Doctoral University with Very High Research Activity.
- Ranked 1 in Florida for performance funding by the Florida Board of Governors.
- Annual research expenditures exceed $246 million.
- Offers over 200 programs of study across 11 colleges and more than 40 research centers.
The main campus is in University Park, Miami-Dade County, Florida. Students benefit from:
- Year-round subtropical climate
- Close proximity to Miami’s beaches and international companies
- Internship opportunities with over 1,000 global firms and 7,000 tech-related businesses in South Florida
About the Principal Investigator
Dr. Omar Nofal specializes in:
- Natural hazard risk and mitigation analysis
- Multi-hazard risk and vulnerability assessment
- Damage and loss modeling for buildings and infrastructure
- Fragility and catastrophe modeling
His published work appears in leading journals on risk, reliability, and resilience. Current projects focus on post-hazard functionality and recovery assessment for communities and infrastructure.
Application Instructions
Interested candidates should:
- Prepare a CV and relevant academic documents.
- Contact Dr. Omar Nofal directly HERE .
- Apply for graduate admission at FIU.
Early application is encouraged for priority consideration.