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Applications are submitted online on the Icelandic State Recruitment (ISR) website. You can switch the language to English by clicking the flag at the top right corner. If you haven't registered yet, start by creating an account before signing in.

PhD student position in Engineering Seismology and Earthquake Engineering

A full time Ph.D. position in engineering seismology and earthquake engineering at the Faculty of Civil and Environmental Engineering at the School of Engineering and Natural Sciences, University of Iceland is open for applications. The research project has received a funding from the Icelandic Centre for Research (RANNIS) for three years.The project is called New Earthquake Hazard Maps for Southwest Iceland: A Framework for Quantifying and Propagating Uncertainties (EQSIGMA). The EQSIGMA is a collaboration between the Icelandic Meteorological Office and the University of Iceland. The working facilities will be at the Faculty of Environmental and Civil Engineering, University of Iceland and at the Icelandic Meteorological Office. The successful doctoral candidate will be a part of a dynamic and active research environment of the Icelandic Meteorological Office and the University of Iceland, respectively, linking basic and applied research with operational earthquake hazard assessment and dissemination of results with the public and stakeholders. Additional training opportunities will be possible through research visits to collaborators such as the University of Granada, Spain, focusing on machine learning, and GFZ, the German Research Centre for Geosciences, focusing on earthquake ground motion modeling and probabilistic seismic hazard assessment.The project leader and academic advisor of this project is Dr. Milad Kowsari, Research scientist, Icelandic Meteorological Office & University of Iceland. Dr. Benedikt Halldórsson, Coordinator of seismic hazard, Icelandic Meteorological Office & Research Professor, University of Iceland, will be the administrative advisor.

Field of work

The PhD student will carry out original research on topics within the fields of engineering seismology and earthquake engineering:

  • Carrying out probabilistic seismic hazard assessment, quantifying and modeling its uncertainties.
  • Advanced machine learning techniques for physics-based seismic ground motion modeling.

Qualification requirements

  • A master's degree in seismology, civil engineering, geophysics or related fields. The applicant must have completed the degree by the time the position begins.
  • Experience in seismic hazard assessment, ground motion modeling, machine learning, Bayesian statistics and uncertainty quantification is preferred.
  • Strong analytical skills and programming skills.
  • Proficiency in written and spoken English.
  • Good cooperative and communication skills.
  • Independence, initiative and ability to work in a team.

Employment is contingent upon the applicant formally applying for PhD studies at the Faculty of Civil and Environmental Engineering at the University of Iceland and having the application approved by the faculty.

Application process

The applicant is expected to start 1 September 2026, or according to further agreement.

The following documents must accompany the application:

  • Curriculum vitae (CV)
  • Cover letter describing how the applicant meets the qualification requirements stated in the advertisement and what they consider they can contribute to the position (max 2 pages).
  • Certified copies of diplomas and transcripts with grades (B.S. and M.S. diplomas, or equivalent, or a letter from supervisor stating the date of planned M.S. defense).
  • Applicants may also provide their theses (M.S., and B.S., if applicable) and publications as PDF files.
  • Contact information for two referees

All applications will be answered, and applicants will be informed of the outcome once a decision has been made. Applications may remain valid for six months after the application deadline.

In hiring for positions at the University of Iceland, the University's equality policy is taken into account. Attention is also drawn to the University of Iceland's language policy.

Since 1911, the University of Iceland has been a leading institution for business and societal progress in Iceland. It is a forward-looking research university and an active participant in international scientific collaboration.

The University of Iceland is the largest university in the country, offering nearly 400 programs at the undergraduate, master's, and doctoral levels. Approximately 14,000 students are enrolled, including over 2,000 international students.

More than 1,800 staff members work at the University of Iceland. The university emphasizes attracting a diverse community of employees and students to an international academic environment, where academic freedom, professionalism, equality, diversity, and inclusion are prioritized.

About the University of Iceland 

Schools, faculties and interdisciplinary studies 

International Staff Services

Application deadline

Application deadline is 22.06.2026

For further information contact

Benedikt Halldórsson

skykkur@hi.is

Milad Kowsari

milad@hi.is

Apply now

Ph.D. position in Civil Engineering

Applications are open for a full time Ph.D. position in Civil Engineering at the Faculty of Civil and Environmental Engineering, School of Engineering and Natural Sciences, University of Iceland. The Ph.D. project is in the field of Geotechnical Earthquake Engineering, with focus on seismic site characterization and quantification of site effects considering the dynamic and liquefaction behavior of Icelandic basalt sand and effects on critical infrastructure. The project is funded for three years by the Doctoral Grants of the University of Iceland Research Fund.The geotechnical conditions in Iceland are unique in many respects, making it extremely difficult to directly apply research findings obtained from foreign geomaterials to local conditions. The cyclic and dynamic properties of Icelandic geomaterials have received limited research attention. The same applies to the effects of soil¿structure interaction (SSI) between foundations and the surrounding soil during earthquakes. The aim of this project is to improve the understanding of these phenomena.The Ph.D. candidate will work on characterizing the dynamic and liquefaction behavior of the local sand and evaluate the seismic site effects and SSI behavior of selected structures considering the local geological and seismic setting. Advanced laboratory and model-scale testing will be used to study the microstructure and the monotonic and cyclic mechanical behavior of the volcanic basalt sand. Non-invasive and invasive geophysical and geotechnical methods will be used for local in-situ site characterization. Subsequently, validated material models and data will be employed to conduct site response simulations and study the response of prototype structures for different scenarios. Hence, the project integrates advanced element-scale, model-scale and in-situ testing with state-of-the-art numerical modelling.The project will be carried out using facilities at the Faculty of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Iceland. The Ph.D. thesis work will be supervised jointly by Dr. Elin Asta Olafsdottir and Dr. Sigurdur Erlingsson.

Field of work

  • Conduct in-depth analysis of the current literature, identify and adapt appropriate methods and models.
  • Fieldwork to collect soil samples and conduct in-situ testing.
  • Investigate experimentally and numerically the microstructure, mechanical and liquefaction behavior of Icelandic basalt sand.
  • Develop, validate and implement constitutive numerical modelling methods that are suited to describe the properties of the local soils, addressing current limitations.
  • Carry out research of high quality within the framework described above.
  • Present research findings at seminars, local and international conferences and in peer-reviewed scientific journal articles.
  • Contributions to M.Sc. student supervision and collaborative projects.
  • Synthesize research outcomes in a doctoral thesis.

Qualification requirements

  • A master's degree in civil engineering or a closely related field. The applicant must have completed the degree by the time the position begins.
  • Competent programming skills using Python or MATLAB.
  • Experience with using numerical geotechnical modelling software (e.g., Plaxis, RS2/RS3 or OpenSees) is an advantage. 
  • Experience in geotechnical laboratory testing and/or geophysical in-situ site characterization is an advantage.
  • Ability to work independently in a structured way and as part of a team.
  • Proficiency in English, both spoken and written. Knowledge of Icelandic is an advantage.
  • Excellent communication and collaboration abilities, and to clearly communicate research outcomes in writing and orally.

Employment is contingent upon the applicant formally applying for PhD studies at the Faculty of Civil and Environmental Engineering at the University of Iceland and having the application approved by the faculty.

Application process

The expected start of the position will be in Spring 2027, or by agreement.

The following documents must accompany the application:

  • A Curriculum Vitae (CV) stating academic background, relevant work experience and other knowledge, and a list of publications (if any).
  • A letter of motivation (max. 2 pages) stating the applicant's research interests, what the applicant has to offer in designing and executing the project and the applicant's expectations for the doctoral study.
  • Certified academic transcripts and diplomas (both for bachelor's and master's degrees), including course listings with grade information (in English or Icelandic). Documentation of a completed master's degree must be presented before taking up the position.
  • Copy of the applicant's master's thesis.
  • Names and full contact information of two professional referees (including information on their relationship with the applicant).
  • Proof of English language proficiency (e.g., TOEFL/IELTS or equivalent test results).

All applications will be answered, and applicants will be informed of the outcome once a decision has been made. Applications may remain valid for six months after the application deadline.

In hiring for positions at the University of Iceland, the University's equality policy is taken into account. Attention is also drawn to the University of Iceland's language policy.

Since 1911, the University of Iceland has been a leading institution for business and societal progress in Iceland. It is a forward-looking research university and an active participant in international scientific collaboration.

The University of Iceland is the largest university in the country, offering nearly 400 programs at the undergraduate, master's, and doctoral levels. Approximately 14,000 students are enrolled, including over 2,000 international students.

More than 1,800 staff members work at the University of Iceland. The university emphasizes attracting a diverse community of employees and students to an international academic environment, where academic freedom, professionalism, equality, diversity, and inclusion are prioritized.

About the University of Iceland

Schools, faculties and interdisciplinary studies

International Staff Services

Application deadline

Application deadline is 11.08.2026

For further information contact

Elín Ásta Ólafsdóttir

elinasta@hi.is

Sigurður Erlingsson

sigger@hi.is

Apply now
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