About the Project
The Department of Civil Engineering at Ariel University invites applications from highly motivated candidates for a fully funded PhD position in Artificial Intelligence for Digital Construction and Infrastructure Management.
The project will investigate how artificial intelligence can be integrated into the planning, monitoring, inspection, and management of construction projects and infrastructure systems. The position is open to applicants worldwide and is suitable for candidates with backgrounds in Civil Engineering, Construction Management, Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence, Data Science, Software Engineering, or related disciplines.
Project Description
The construction and infrastructure sectors are undergoing rapid digital transformation. Advances in computer vision, machine learning, large language models, multimodal artificial intelligence, Building Information Modelling and automated data collection are creating new opportunities to improve project delivery, site safety, quality assurance, inspection and management.
This PhD project aims to develop and evaluate AI-based methods for improving decision making, safety, quality, productivity and information management in construction and infrastructure projects. The selected candidate will investigate how different forms of engineering data can be combined with modern AI technologies to create practical and reliable tools for engineering decision making in practice.
The project places particular emphasis on the reliability and practical implementation of AI in engineering environments. A model that is accurate most of the time is not yet an inspection instrument: the candidate will be expected to examine not only predictive performance, but also uncertainty quantification, explainability, generalisation to unseen sites and conditions, human oversight, and the integration of AI outputs into professional engineering workflows and existing responsibility structures.
Potential research directions
- Computer vision for automated construction-site monitoring and progress tracking
- AI-based detection of safety hazards and construction defects
- Multimodal AI and large language models for engineering inspection, reporting and decision support
- Machine learning for project planning, risk assessment and performance prediction
- AI-assisted BIM workflows and model-based information extraction
- Intelligent infrastructure inspection and maintenance
- Human-AI collaboration and human oversight in engineering decision making
The exact research topic will be developed jointly with the selected candidate, based on their academic background, technical skills and research interests.
Applicants with original ideas within the broader field of AI for construction and infrastructure management are encouraged to propose their own research direction.
Funding and Benefits
This PhD position is fully funded. The successful candidate will receive:
- A monthly scholarship of NIS 5,000 during the first year
- A monthly scholarship of NIS 6,000 to NIS 8,000 from the second year onward, subject to satisfactory academic and research progress
- Full tuition fee coverage throughout the PhD programme
- Financial support for participation in national and international conferences
Duration and Location
- The expected duration of the PhD is approximately three to four years, depending on the study arrangement, academic progress and university requirements.
- The research will be based at the Department of Civil Engineering at Ariel University, Israel.
- The starting date will be agreed upon with the selected candidate. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled.
Candidate requirements
- Applicants should hold a Master’s degree with a research thesis in Civil Engineering, Construction Management, Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence, Data Science, Software Engineering, or a closely related field.
- Experience in Python, computer vision, deep learning, YOLO or similar object-detection models, BIM, data analysis, or software development is advantageous but not required.
- Candidates should demonstrate strong analytical ability, independent thinking, research motivation, and sufficient proficiency in written and spoken English to conduct research and communicate effectively.
How to apply
Applications should be sent by email to alonu@ariel.ac.il and include:
- Curriculum Vitae
- A statement of research interests of no more than one page, indicating which research direction interests you and why, or outlining an original direction of your own
Suitable candidates will be invited to an online interview. Informal enquiries before submitting a formal application are welcome and encouraged.
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