Wonjun Cha

Wonjun Cha is an Assistant Professor in Civil Engineering at the University of Birmingham, UK. He specializes in geotechnical engineering, with a focus on long-term soil behavior, infrastructure monitoring using advanced technologies (DFOS, NMR, EM), and renewable energy-related geophysical tools. His work integrates experimental and computational methods to address challenges in geo-infrastructure resilience under climate change and environmental stresses.

Education:

• PhD in Energy Resource and Petroleum Engineering (King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, 2021)
• MSc in Geotechnical Engineering (Kookmin University, 2016)
• BSc in Civil and Environmental Engineering (Kookmin University, 2013)

Research Interests:

Cha’s research spans long-term soil response to mechanical and environmental stresses (e.g., heating/cooling, freezing/thawing), geophysical monitoring tools for buried infrastructure, and bio-inspired geotechnical materials. He develops data-driven models for predicting soil behavior under repetitive loading and climate change impacts.

Advising & Grants:

Currently supervising 4 postgraduate students in Geotechnical Engineering and Advanced Engineering Management. Actively recruiting PhD candidates and postdoctoral researchers for projects in geophysical sensing, soil behavior modeling, and renewable energy integration.

Labs & Collaborations:

Collaborates internationally on foam cement development and bio-inspired damping materials. Engages in fieldwork for onshore/offshore infrastructure monitoring and laboratory tool development for soil characterization.