<div dir="ltr"><div class="gmail_default" style="font-size:large"><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;font-size:12pt;font-family:Aptos,sans-serif"><b>Multiple PhD Positions (Fall 2026) in Sediment Transport
& River Morphodynamics, Environmental Fluid Mechanics, and Hydraulic
Engineering at CEE, UIUC</b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;font-size:12pt;font-family:Aptos,sans-serif"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;font-size:12pt;font-family:Aptos,sans-serif">Professor Hongbo Ma’s research group in the Department of
Civil & Environmental Engineering (CEE) at the University of Illinois
Urbana–Champaign (UIUC) is recruiting:</p>
<ul style="margin-top:0in;margin-bottom:0in" type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;font-size:12pt;font-family:Aptos,sans-serif"><b>1–2 fully funded PhD
students (tuition + stipend), regular Fall 2026 semester start.</b></li>
</ul>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;font-size:12pt;font-family:Aptos,sans-serif">All applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until
filled. UIUC PhD application deadline: December 1, 2025 (University deadline).
Interested applicants are strongly encouraged to contact the advisor in advance
of application submission.</p>
<div class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center;margin:0in;font-size:12pt;font-family:Aptos,sans-serif">
<hr size="2" width="100%" align="center">
</div>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;font-size:12pt;font-family:Aptos,sans-serif"><b>About the PI and Research Group</b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;font-size:12pt;font-family:Aptos,sans-serif">Prof. Hongbo Ma joined UIUC CEE as an Assistant Professor in
June 2025. His research investigates sediment-laden flows and their geomorphic
consequences, integrating:</p>
<ul style="margin-top:0in;margin-bottom:0in" type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;font-size:12pt;font-family:Aptos,sans-serif">sediment transport
physics and fluid mechanics</li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;font-size:12pt;font-family:Aptos,sans-serif">morphodynamics of
river–delta–submarine systems,</li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;font-size:12pt;font-family:Aptos,sans-serif">and river hazards &
management.</li>
</ul>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;font-size:12pt;font-family:Aptos,sans-serif">Prof. Ma has published as first/corresponding author in <i>Science
Advances</i>, <i>PNAS</i>, <i>Nature Communications</i>, and over 40+ papers in
leading journals. His work has been recognized by the AGU Luna B. Leopold Early
Career Award and the AGU Robert P. Sharp Lecture Honor (2023). He currently
serves as Associate Editor of <i>JGR: Earth Surface</i> and on the AGU Earth
& Planetary Surface Processes Honors & Awards Committee.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;font-size:12pt;font-family:Aptos,sans-serif">UIUC is a top-ranked global research institution (U.S. News:
Engineering #7, Civil Engineering #1, Environmental Engineering #3). The
Urbana–Champaign community is welcoming, safe, affordable, and highly
supportive of academic life.</p>
<div class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center;margin:0in;font-size:12pt;font-family:Aptos,sans-serif">
<hr size="2" width="100%" align="center">
</div>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;font-size:12pt;font-family:Aptos,sans-serif"><b>Potential Research Areas for PhD Students</b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;font-size:12pt;font-family:Aptos,sans-serif">(Research directions may be tailored to student interests)</p>
<ul style="margin-top:0in;margin-bottom:0in" type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;font-size:12pt;font-family:Aptos,sans-serif">Hydraulics & River
Morphodynamics</li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;font-size:12pt;font-family:Aptos,sans-serif">Sediment-laden and
Two-phase Environmental Fluid Mechanics</li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;font-size:12pt;font-family:Aptos,sans-serif">Water Resources Systems
& River Management</li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;font-size:12pt;font-family:Aptos,sans-serif">Data-driven and
Scientific Machine Learning in Geophysical Systems</li>
</ul>
<div class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center;margin:0in;font-size:12pt;font-family:Aptos,sans-serif">
<hr size="2" width="100%" align="center">
</div>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;font-size:12pt;font-family:Aptos,sans-serif"><b>Qualifications</b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;font-size:12pt;font-family:Aptos,sans-serif">Minimum Requirements:</p>
<ul style="margin-top:0in;margin-bottom:0in" type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;font-size:12pt;font-family:Aptos,sans-serif">Strong motivation,
curiosity, and commitment to research.</li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;font-size:12pt;font-family:Aptos,sans-serif">B.S. or M.S. in
Civil/Environmental/Water Resources Engineering, Mechanical Engineering,
Earth/Geosciences, Physics (mechanics), or related fields.</li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;font-size:12pt;font-family:Aptos,sans-serif">Experience in
experiments, numerical modeling, and/or scientific programming.</li>
</ul>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;font-size:12pt;font-family:Aptos,sans-serif">Preferred Qualifications (one or more desirable):</p>
<ul style="margin-top:0in;margin-bottom:0in" type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;font-size:12pt;font-family:Aptos,sans-serif">Background in fluid
mechanics, sediment transport, or geomorphology.</li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;font-size:12pt;font-family:Aptos,sans-serif">Experimental research
experience (flume experiments, physical modeling).</li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;font-size:12pt;font-family:Aptos,sans-serif">Programming proficiency
(MATLAB, Python, Fortran/C++, etc.).</li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;font-size:12pt;font-family:Aptos,sans-serif">Data analysis or
ML-based modeling experience.</li>
</ul>
<div class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center;margin:0in;font-size:12pt;font-family:Aptos,sans-serif">
<hr size="2" width="100%" align="center">
</div>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;font-size:12pt;font-family:Aptos,sans-serif"><b>Application Instructions</b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;font-size:12pt;font-family:Aptos,sans-serif">PhD Applicants: Please email the following in one PDF
package to <a href="mailto:hongboma@illinois.edu" style="color:rgb(70,120,134)">hongboma@illinois.edu</a>
with subject line: “2026 PhD Application – Your Full Name”: 1. CV / Resume; 2.
Brief research statement (experience, skills, interests, and goals); 3
Transcripts (unofficial is acceptable initially); 4 Contact information for 3
references. Then submit the official UIUC Graduate College application by
December 1, 2025. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;font-size:12pt;font-family:Aptos,sans-serif"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;font-size:12pt;font-family:Aptos,sans-serif"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial;margin:0in;font-size:12pt;font-family:Aptos,sans-serif"><span style="color:black">Best!</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial;margin:0in;font-size:12pt;font-family:Aptos,sans-serif"><span style="color:black">Hongbo</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial;margin:0in;font-size:12pt;font-family:Aptos,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif;color:rgb(19,41,75)"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial;margin:0in;font-size:12pt;font-family:Aptos,sans-serif"><b><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif;color:rgb(19,41,75)">Hongbo Ma</span></b><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif;color:black"><br>
</span><i><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif;color:rgb(19,41,75)">Assistant Professor</span></i><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif;color:black"><br>
</span><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif;color:rgb(19,41,75)">The Grainger College of Engineering</span><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif;color:black"><br>
</span><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif;color:rgb(19,41,75)">Department of Civil and Environmental
Engineering</span><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif;color:black"><br>
<br>
</span><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif;color:rgb(19,41,75)">2018 Civil Eng Hydrosystems Lab</span><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif;color:black"><br>
</span><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif;color:rgb(19,41,75)">301 N Mathews Ave</span><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif;color:black"><br>
</span><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif;color:rgb(19,41,75)">Urbana, IL 61801</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial;margin:0in;font-size:12pt;font-family:Aptos,sans-serif"><u><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif;color:blue"><a href="mailto:hongboma@illinois.edu" style="color:rgb(70,120,134)"><span style="color:blue">hongboma@illinois.edu</span></a></span></u></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial;margin:0in;font-size:12pt;font-family:Aptos,sans-serif"><u><span style="font-size:11pt;color:blue"><a href="mailto:bigmatton@gmail.com" target="_blank" style="color:rgb(70,120,134)"><span style="color:blue">bigmatton@gmail.com</span></a></span></u><span style="font-size:11pt;color:black">
</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial;margin:0in;font-size:12pt;font-family:Aptos,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif;color:black"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial;margin:0in;font-size:12pt;font-family:Aptos,sans-serif"><u><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif;color:blue"><a href="https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=ptoijOwAAAAJ&hl=en" style="color:rgb(70,120,134)"><span style="color:blue">Google Scholar Citations</span></a></span></u></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 12pt;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial;font-size:12pt;font-family:Aptos,sans-serif"><u><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif;color:blue"><a href="https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Hongbo-Ma-2?ev=hdr_xprf" style="color:rgb(70,120,134)"><span style="color:blue">Researchgate</span></a></span></u></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial;margin:0in;font-size:12pt;font-family:Aptos,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:11pt;color:black">Associate Editor, </span><u><span style="font-size:11pt;color:blue"><a href="https://agupubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/journal/21699011" target="_blank" style="color:rgb(70,120,134)"><span style="color:blue">Journal of Geophysical Research-Earth Surface</span></a></span></u></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial;margin:0in;font-size:12pt;font-family:Aptos,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:11pt;color:black">Associate Editor, </span><u><span style="font-size:11pt;color:blue"><a href="https://janeway.uncpress.org/ARC-GR/" target="_blank" style="color:rgb(70,120,134)"><span style="color:blue">ARC Geophysical Research</span></a></span></u><span style="font-size:11pt;color:black">-a Diamond Open-Access
Journal</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial;margin:0in;font-size:12pt;font-family:Aptos,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:11pt;color:black"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial;margin:0in;font-size:12pt;font-family:Aptos,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif;color:black"><br>
</span><span style="color:black"><a href="http://illinois.edu/" style="color:rgb(70,120,134)"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif;color:black;text-decoration-line:none"><img src="cid:ii_mh9jvold0" alt="University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign home" width="180" height="34"></span></a></span><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif;color:black"><br>
<br>
</span><i><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif;color:rgb(102,102,102)">Under the Illinois Freedom of Information Act
any written communication to or from university employees regarding university
business is a public record and may be subject to public disclosure.</span></i></p></div></div>