Applications are invited from prospective domestic and international doctoral students for a fully funded NSF-Funded Ph.D. Opportunity in Intelligent Robotic 3D Concrete Printing at the Taubman College of Architecture and Urban Planning, University of Michigan. Supervised by Professor Mania Aghaei Meibodi at the DART Laboratory, this doctoral research program operates at the convergence of robotics, computational design, data science, artificial intelligence, and advanced automated construction.
Quick Overview
| Position / Designation | Ph.D. Student / Graduate Student Research Assistant (GSRA) |
|---|---|
| Funding Agency | National Science Foundation (NSF) |
| Host Institution | Taubman College of Architecture and Urban Planning, University of Michigan |
| Research Laboratory | DART Laboratory (Directed by Prof. Mania Aghaei Meibodi) |
| Primary Research Area | Intelligent Robotic 3D Concrete Printing, Computational Design, Robotics, AI in Construction |
| Funding Value | Over $400,000 in total financial support (stipend, full tuition, and comprehensive healthcare) |
| Location | Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States |
| Application Deadline | December 15, 2026 |
Designation
The successful applicant will be appointed as a full-time Ph.D. Student / Graduate Student Research Assistant (GSRA) in the Ph.D. in Architecture program at the University of Michigan.
Research Area
The research is positioned at the intersection of computational design, robotics, data science, machine learning/AI, and advanced manufacturing. Specifically, the doctoral researcher will address the technical challenges involved in large-scale robotic 3D concrete printing of materially optimized building components (such as topology-optimized beams and slabs).
Key research themes include:
- Translating complex geometries into printable robotic toolpaths.
- Intelligent, adaptive control and closed-loop feedback systems for robotic printing under fluctuating material and ambient conditions.
- Integrating geometric modeling, sensing, computer vision, and data-driven methodologies.
- Full-scale architectural prototyping and reduction of manual trial-and-error waste.
Location
Taubman College of Architecture and Urban Planning, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States.
Eligibility and Qualifications
This doctoral scholarship is open to both domestic and international candidates meeting the following criteria:
- Educational Background: A master’s degree (or a bachelor’s degree accompanied by exceptional research experience) in Architecture, Civil/Structural Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Robotics, Computer Science, Construction Engineering, or a closely related discipline.
- Skill Set: While candidates are not expected to master every single field on day one, candidates must exhibit strong foundational abilities and demonstrate an aptitude for cross-disciplinary learning across robotics, design, and computation.
- Collaboration: Proven capability to conduct independent scientific inquiry while working effectively inside an interdisciplinary, team-oriented research setting.
- Academic Standing: Satisfying all core admissions criteria for the Ph.D. in Architecture program at the University of Michigan.
Scholarship Description & Benefits
The selected candidate will receive comprehensive financial and academic support valued at over $400,000 over the duration of the doctoral program, which includes:
- A competitive Graduate Student Research Assistantship (GSRA) living stipend.
- Full tuition fee waiver.
- Comprehensive individual and family health insurance coverage.
- Direct access to the Taubman College Digital Fabrication Lab and dedicated robotic concrete 3D printing laboratories outfitted with industrial robotic arms and specialized custom printing platforms.
- Dedicated mentorship and guidance under Prof. Mania Aghaei Meibodi.
- Funding support for domestic and international conference travel, publication, and industrial collaboration.
How to Apply
Applicants must submit a formal application directly to the Ph.D. in Architecture program at Taubman College. Follow these specific instructions when preparing your application package:
- Application Portal: Submit your materials through the official University of Michigan Graduate Application portal.
- Research Statement Prompt: The very first sentence of your research statement must explicitly state: “I am interested in working on the NSF-funded research in intelligent robotic 3D printing.”
- Faculty Selection: In the application form where prompted for potential faculty advisors, designate Prof. Mania Aghaei Meibodi.
- Proposal Guidelines: Situate your research proposal in relation to current state-of-the-art literature. Formulate independent research questions that explore intelligent control, robotic toolpath generation, or material optimization in 3D concrete printing.
- Personal Statement Focus: Address the following areas explicitly:
- Your personal vision for this project.
- Existing technical competencies you hold.
- Knowledge gaps you have identified and your specific plan to acquire these skills.
- A concrete past experience illustrating your resilience in overcoming a complex technical or academic hurdle.
- Inquiries: Prospective applicants may contact
dartlaboratory@umich.eduwith questions. Please keep email correspondence concise and attach your latest CV.
Last Date for Apply
- Application Deadline: December 15, 2026
- Admission Notifications: Mid-March 2027
- Intent to Enroll Deadline: April 15, 2027
Apply Link
To view official guidelines and initiate your application, visit the university admissions page:
Apply for Ph.D. in Architecture at Taubman College
