PhD Positions in Civil and Environmental Engineering: Climate Risk, Machine Learning, Infrastructure Resilience, Quantum Computing at Rice University

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].