PhD and/or M.S. Student in Geomechanics/Rock Mechanics

Fully Funded Ph.D. Positions in Reservoir GeomechanicsJob SummaryThe Subsurface Geomechanics Research Group at South Dakota Mines is seeking highly motivated applicants for Ph.D. or M.S. programs in Geological Engineering. Two to three fully funded graduate research assistantships are available beginning in Spring or Fall 2027. Each assistantship includes full tuition support, a monthly stipend, and health insurance. Students will conduct research in experimental rock deformation and fracture mechanics, computational geomechanics, AI/ML applications for geo-energy, or the mechanical design and development of subsurface sensing tools. These positions are supported by research projects funded by the U.S. Department of Energy and ARPA-E.Qualifications·        Bachelor's/Master's degree in Geological Engineering, Petroleum Engineering, Civil Engineering, Mining Engineering, Geomechanics, Geophysics, or a related field.·        Strong background and interest in geomechanics, rock deformation, and rock physics.·        Ability to work independently and as part of a collaborative research team.·        Effective communication skills and a passion for scientific research.How to Apply To apply, please send an email to Dr. Zhi Ye (zhi.ye@sdsmt.edu) with a single PDF attachment containing the following materials:·        A cover letter outlining your motivation, qualifications, and research interests (1-2 pages).·        A CV or resume.·        One or two featured publications (if available).·        Test scores of non-native English speakers (TOEFL/IELTS/ Duolingo/ PTE).About Us The Subsurface Geomechanics Laboratory (SGL) at South Dakota Mines conducts interdisciplinary research at the intersection of geomechanics, geo-energy, subsurface sensing, and data science. Our primary research areas include geothermal resource assessment and reservoir creation; sensing and prototype development for rock and mineral characterization; machine learning and artificial intelligence for drilling and stimulation optimization; geomechanics of critical-mineral extraction; and experimental rock deformation. We combine laboratory experiments, field observations, numerical modeling, and data-driven methods to investigate rock and fracture deformation, fluid flow, permeability evolution, seismic response, and rock–fluid interactions under realistic subsurface conditions. The laboratory develops and operates biaxial, triaxial, true-triaxial, and core-flow testing systems to support practical solutions for geothermal energy, critical minerals, subsurface exploration, reservoir stimulation, and seismicity mitigation. Additional information about the laboratory is available at:https://sites.google.com/sdsmt.edu/subsurface-geomechanics-lab/home