PhD Opportunity (Timber Engineering)

Project description: With consistent interest and support from forest product, structural engineering, architecture, and construction industries, structural engineered wood products (EWPs) have successfully penetrated the mid- and high-rise building construction markets around the world. The structural EWPs are manufactured by binding various feedstock, such as boards, strands, particles, fibers, or veneers, using either chemical adhesives or mechanical fasteners. In this multidisciplinary research, the development of innovative EWPs using small-diameter softwood and hardwood trees is proposed. The successfully recruited PhD candidates will be involved in manufacturing the EWPs and evaluating the products’ mechanical properties through experimental studies and numerical simulation work.

Qualifications and skills: Undergraduate and graduate degrees relevant to the topic of the study, preferably in civil (structural) engineering and/or wood science; experience in wood composite manufacturing; communication and teamwork skills; UC Grade Point Average (GPA) of 7.0 or higher (https://www.scholaro.com/gpa-calculator/); sufficient fluency in written and spoken English (international applicants must meet the minimum English test score; https://www.canterbury.ac.nz/enrol/international/english/)

Host College/School: College of Engineering/School of Forestry

Funding availability: $24k - $28k/year stipend plus fees

Application procedure: To apply for the advertised position, submit curriculum vitae (CV) and unofficial transcripts to Dr. Hyungsuk Lim at [email protected]. Only the selected candidates will be contacted for online interviews. General information about the PhD study at the University of Canterbury can be found at https://www.canterbury.ac.nz/study/qualifications-and-courses/phds-and-doctoraldegrees/doctor-of-philosophy/.