Dr. Muhammad Junaid, National University of Sciences and Technology, Pakistan
Dr. Muhammad Junaid is an Assistant Professor at the Department of Sustainable Advanced Geomechanical Engineering, National University of Sciences and Technology (NUST), Pakistan. He holds a Ph.D. and M.Phil. in Geotechnics from Universiti Teknologi Malaysia and a B.Sc. in Mining Engineering from UET Peshawar. Dr. Junaid specializes in near-surface geophysics, slope stability, engineering geology, and geophysical imaging using UAV and electrical resistivity tomography. He has published extensively in high-impact, peer-reviewed journals and actively contributes to consultancy projects in geotechnical investigation and mineral exploration across Pakistan and Malaysia. With teaching experience at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels, he also supervises master’s and Ph.D. research. He has secured national and international research grants and received the Best Postgraduate Student Award. His affiliations include ISRM, EAGE, and ASEG, and he serves as a reviewer for multiple scientific journals. Dr. Junaid is also a skilled trainer and speaker in aerial geophysics and geotechnical applications.
Publication Profile
Google Scholar
Educational Background
Dr. Muhammad Junaid has built a solid academic foundation in the fields of geotechnics and mining engineering. He earned his Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Geotechnics from Universiti Teknologi Malaysia between 2019 and 2022, focusing on advanced research integrating geophysical techniques with engineering applications. Prior to that, he completed his Master of Philosophy (M.Phil.) in Geotechnics at the same institution from 2017 to 2019, further enhancing his expertise in geological and geotechnical investigations. His research during these postgraduate studies centered on innovative and expeditious approaches for slope stability and mineral exploration. Dr. Junaid began his academic journey with a Bachelor of Science in Mining Engineering from the University of Engineering and Technology (UET), Peshawar, Pakistan, graduating in 2014 with a CGPA of 3.19 out of 4.0. His educational qualifications reflect a progressive and specialized trajectory in earth sciences, equipping him with the theoretical and practical knowledge essential for high-impact research and teaching.
Research Interests and Specializations
Dr. Muhammad Junaid’s research interests lie at the intersection of geophysics, geotechnics, and remote sensing, with a strong focus on practical applications in engineering geology. His core areas of specialization include near-surface geophysics, slope stability assessment, and geological characterization using advanced techniques such as electrical resistivity and induced polarization. He is also proficient in magnetic survey methods, aerial photogrammetry, and remote sensing for geotechnical and mineral exploration. His Ph.D. research explored the correlation between Rock Quality Designation (RQD) and resistivity using Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) technology in combination with Two-Dimensional Electrical Resistivity Tomography (2D ERT), highlighting the integration of geospatial and geophysical data for rock mass assessment. During his master’s studies, he focused on developing an effective and expeditious approach for the feasibility assessment of granite deposits. These research efforts underline Dr. Junaid’s commitment to advancing subsurface investigation methods for improved decision-making in mining and geotechnical engineering.
Grants, Awards, and Technical Proficiency
Dr. Muhammad Junaid has been recognized for his academic excellence and research contributions with several prestigious awards and grants. He received the Best Postgraduate Student Award from Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, acknowledging his outstanding performance during his graduate studies. He was also awarded a competitive research grant of MYR 27,000 by the Ministry of Science and Technology, Malaysia (Grant# Q.J130000.2651.16J25), which supported his innovative work in geotechnics. Additionally, he secured a scholarship for his MS leading to Ph.D. studies from the Higher Education Commission of Pakistan. Alongside these accolades, Dr. Junaid has developed strong technical skills in specialized software and tools such as Rocscience, Golden Grapher, ShapeMetrix, Oasis Montaj, Res2DInv, ZondRes2DInv, ArcGIS, Agisoft Metashape, and ScanMaster. He is also proficient in Python for machine learning applications. These achievements and technical capabilities underscore his commitment to research excellence and applied geoscientific innovation.
Research Focus
Dr. Muhammad Junaid’s research primarily centers around applied geotechnics and near-surface geophysics, with a particular emphasis on slope stability, rock mass characterization, mineral exploration, and tunnel stability assessment. His work integrates advanced techniques such as Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) surveys, Two-Dimensional Electrical Resistivity Tomography (2D ERT), and aerial photogrammetry for evaluating geotechnical and geological features. He has made significant contributions to understanding the mechanical behavior of rock masses, quantifying rock quality designation (RQD), and enhancing the feasibility assessment of granite deposits. Dr. Junaid’s studies extend to embankment stability using bottom ash columns and the effect of particle morphology on rock behavior. His collaborative work spans multi-disciplinary areas, applying geophysical, remote sensing, and numerical modeling techniques to practical engineering challenges. The citation metrics reflect the growing impact of his contributions, especially in the context of mining, civil engineering infrastructure, and slope safety evaluations under varying environmental and geological conditions.
Publication Top Notes
📘 Numerical evaluation of new Austrian tunneling method excavation sequences: A case study – Cited by: 50 | Year: 2020
📗 Effect of particle morphology on mechanical behavior of rock mass – Cited by: 25 | Year: 2020
📘 Quantification of Rock Mass Condition Using UAV for Slope Stability Assessment – Cited by: 17 | Year: 2022
📗 Effectiveness of laser diffraction method for residual soil analysis – Cited by: 16 | Year: 2022
📘 Embankment on soft soil improved with bottom ash columns – Cited by: 14 | Year: 2022
📘 2D ERT for challenges in mineral industry – Cited by: 14 | Year: 2021
📘 Seepage analysis of Baz Ali dam using clay blanket – Cited by: 14 | Year: 2019
📗 Slope stability via 2D ERT and UAV survey – Cited by: 12 | Year: 2022
📘 Granite boulder recognition via borehole and 2D ERT – Cited by: 12 | Year: 2019
📗 Water-saturated zone recognition using ERT and UAV – Cited by: 11 | Year: 2022
📘 Assigning resistivity to RQD using UAV & 2D ERT – Cited by: 8 | Year: 2024
📗 Stress ratio effect on tunnel liner cracks – Cited by: 8 | Year: 2023
📘 3D modeling and feasibility of granite deposit – Cited by: 8 | Year: 2022