📌Fully Funded Ph.D. Position: The Department of Civil, Materials, and Environmental Engineering (CME) at the University of Illinois Chicago (UIC) is inviting applications for a fully funded Ph.D. position starting Fall 2026. The position will be under the supervision of Dr. Joshua W. Adkins and focuses on experimental materials science and engineering, particularly ferroelectric complex oxides and their interdisciplinary applications.
Fully Funded Ph.D. Position in Experimental Materials Science & Engineering, University of Illinois Chicago – College of Engineering, USA
📊 Position Overview
| Designation | Ph.D. Student (Fully Funded) |
|---|---|
| Research Area | Experimental Materials Science & Engineering, Ferroelectric Complex Oxides, Thin-Film Deposition, Device Fabrication |
| Location | University of Illinois Chicago, College of Engineering, Department of Civil, Materials, and Environmental Engineering (CME), Chicago, USA |
| Supervisor | Dr. Joshua W. Adkins |
🎯 Eligibility/Qualification
- Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Materials Science & Engineering, Physics, Chemistry, Electrical Engineering, or related fields.
- Strong foundational knowledge in materials science, solid-state physics, and electromagnetism.
- Candidates from historically underrepresented groups in STEM are highly encouraged to apply.
- Applicants should demonstrate motivation to use their academic training to serve their communities.
🔬 Research Focus & Opportunities
The research explores composition- and strain-based engineering strategies to enhance the properties and performance of ferroelectric complex oxides, with emphasis on metastable fluorite- and wurtzite-structured materials.
Applications include:
- Sensors
- Energy conversion and storage
- Non-volatile memory
- Neuromorphic computing
- Biomedical sciences
Students will gain expertise in:
- Advanced laser-based thin-film deposition techniques for nanoscale device fabrication
- Characterization techniques: electronic transport, X-ray diffraction, atomic force microscopy, etc.
- Developing critical scientific thinking, communication skills, and leadership opportunities.
📝 Job Description (Ph.D. Role)
- Conduct cutting-edge research in ferroelectric complex oxides.
- Fabricate and characterize thin-film devices.
- Publish research findings in peer-reviewed journals.
- Present results at national and international conferences.
- Collaborate across disciplines in physics, chemistry, and engineering.
📮 How to Apply
Interested candidates should submit the following documents via email to jadkin3@uic.edu:
- Curriculum Vitae (CV)
- Unofficial academic transcripts
- Brief personal statement (academic background, career aspirations, motivation for pursuing a Ph.D. at UIC)
👉 Additional details on institutional and program-specific requirements can be found at:
UIC Graduate Admissions – CME Department
📞 Department Contact: +1 (312) 996-2436
📅 Last Date to Apply
Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled.
Priority consideration will be given to applications received by December 31, 2025.
