The Sustainable Infrastructure Materials (SIM) Lab at Rice University, led by Dr. Kai Gong, is recruiting 1-2 highly motivated PhD students for Fall 2026 admission. The lab is part of the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering and focuses on interdisciplinary research at the intersection of civil engineering, materials science, artificial intelligence, and environmental sustainability. Research areas include materials informatics and machine learning, waste encapsulation and recycling, low-CO2 cement chemistry, CO2 capture and utilization, atomistic simulations, ionic transport, and related topics. The lab integrates experimental characterization and atomistic simulations with data-driven approaches to address challenges in decarbonization, waste recycling, sustainable infrastructure, and energy materials.

Applicants should have backgrounds in civil engineering, environmental engineering, materials science, geochemistry, chemical engineering, or closely related fields. Experience in cement chemistry, materials informatics, machine learning, atomistic simulations, materials characterization, glass or mineral systems, or life-cycle analysis is desirable but not required. The lab encourages cross-disciplinary collaboration and offers access to state-of-the-art experimental and computational resources.

Funding is available for PhD students who meet the rigorous admission criteria, typically in the form of graduate research assistantships covering tuition and providing a stipend. No separate application for assistantship is required. Applicants must submit official transcripts, three letters of recommendation, and proof of English proficiency (TOEFL, IELTS, or Duolingo) if applicable. The GRE is strongly recommended but not required. The application deadline for Fall 2026 is January 15, 2026.

To apply, candidates should review the SIM Lab website and selected publications, submit a formal application via the Rice University graduate admissions portal, and indicate interest in Dr. Gong's group. Prospective students are also encouraged to complete the interest form on the group website to introduce themselves and outline their research interests. More details about current openings and research directions are available on the SIM Lab website.