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.

The Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at Rice University is now recruiting PhD students for Fall 2026. This top-ranked program offers premier research opportunities in areas such as climate risk, machine learning, infrastructure resilience, sustainable materials, environmental engineering, and quantum computing. Students will join a vibrant scholarly community and benefit from dedicated mentorship by world-renowned faculty, including James Doss-Gollin (physics-informed ML, climate risk analysis), Leonardo Dueñas-Osorio (quantum algorithms, engineering reliability, cybersecurity), Kai Gong (material informatics, sustainable cement, decarbonization), Qilin Li (nanocomposite membranes), Jamie Padgett (multi-hazard structural reliability, smart resilience), Lauren Stadler (environmental synthetic biology, microbiome engineering), and Sang-ri Yi (uncertainty quantification for urban resilience). Research at Rice CEE is highly interdisciplinary, spanning urban infrastructure, hydrology, water resources, structural engineering, water quality, environmental infrastructure, disasters and risk, air, energy, climate, and sustainability. The department is recognized among the top 10 environmental engineering and top 25 civil engineering graduate programs in the US (US News & World Report, 2025). Faculty are highly productive, with significant funding from NSF, DOE, and other major agencies. Applicants must have a bachelor's or master's degree in civil engineering, environmental engineering, or a closely related field. Application materials include official transcripts, at least three letters of recommendation, and proof of English proficiency (TOEFL, IELTS, or Duolingo) for non-native speakers. The GRE is strongly recommended but not required. Minimum English test scores are 90 (TOEFL iBT), 7 (IELTS), or 115 (Duolingo). The application deadline for Fall 2026 is January 15, 2026. PhD students who meet the rigorous admission criteria are generally awarded financial support in the form of graduate research assistantships, which typically include a stipend and tuition coverage. No separate application for assistantship is required. MS and MCEE applicants are usually offered admission only, without funding. To apply, review the program and research groups online, contact faculty whose research aligns with your interests, and submit your application through the Rice University online portal. For questions about the application process, contact Olga Trejo at [email protected].