M. Saiful Islam

George Mason University is inviting applications for multiple PhD-level graduate student positions in the research group of Assistant Professor M. Saiful Islam for Fall 2026. The group focuses on the synthetic inorganic chemistry of crystalline and amorphous materials, including nano- to microporous solids, hetero-anionic composites, high surface area gels, nanoparticles, and thin film deposition. Research interests span the discovery and development of materials with exotic physical and chemical properties for applications in sustainable energy, environmental remediation, and sensing. Key research areas include electrochemical energy storage (batteries and supercapacitors), electrode materials for Li- and Na-ion batteries, high energy density supercapacitors, environmental remediation of radioactive ions and toxic metals from wastewater and nuclear waste, and the development of high-quality semiconductors for X-ray and gamma-ray detection. The group employs advanced analytic tools such as Synchrotron X-ray Pair Distribution Functions and X-ray Absorption Spectroscopy to understand synthesis, morphology, and structure-function relationships. The group is well-funded by the National Science Foundation, US Department of Energy, US Department of Defense, US Department of Education, and the HBCU Clean Energy Prize. Applicants must have a recent MS in Chemistry or a closely related field, or a bachelor's degree with substantial chemistry coursework. A minimum GPA of 3.5 and strong English proficiency (IELTS ≥ 7.0 or TOEFL iBT ≥ 88) are required. Application materials include transcripts, a goals statement, recommendation letters, and a resume. All applicants must follow GMU's official admission procedures and deadlines. For more information, visit the research group website or the GMU application portal. Only qualified applicants should contact Dr. Islam by email if their questions are not addressed on the admissions portal. The priority deadline for Fall 2026 is February 1, 2026.