PhD in Seaweed-to-Sustainable Aviation Fuel, Biofuels, and Chemical Engineering University of Connecticut in United States

PhD opportunity at the University of Connecticut with Professor Mingyu Qiao for a U.S. Department of Energy-funded project on converting farmed seaweed into sustainable fuels, with a strong focus on sustainable aviation fuel (SAF).

The research is highly interdisciplinary and may involve seaweed preservation, biological conversion, membrane separation, catalytic upgrading, techno-economic analysis, and commercialization. Depending on background and interests, the student may be placed in Chemical Engineering, the Institute of Materials Science, or Nutritional Sciences.

The selected PhD student will help lead a multidisciplinary team of graduate students and postdocs and will be expected to contribute to building a seaweed-to-SAF startup based on technologies developed through the project. The supervisor emphasizes mentorship in both research and technology commercialization, and UConn’s entrepreneurship training and incubator resources are highlighted as strengths.

Ideal applicants have strong leadership and project management skills, experience in biofuels, biotechnology, or related areas, and an entrepreneurial mindset. Applicants currently residing in the United States are preferred.

How to apply: email a CV and brief statement of interest to [email protected] with the subject line PhD SW-SAF [Your Name]. Qualified applicants will be contacted for a virtual interview. The post indicates a Fall 2026 start.