Taught vs Research Master’s: Funding, PhD Entry & an 8-Question Checklist
ApplyKite Editorial 3 Nov 2026
PhD Opportunities in Synthetic Biology in United States
Phd Positions in synthetic biology in united states
5 positions foundnewest posted
Universities with open PhD positions in synthetic biology in the United States include Texas A&M University, University of California, Davis and University of Minnesota.
Texas A&M University
Closing soon
United States
.
1 week ago
Closing soon
Texas A&M University is advertising two PhD positions in Environmental Biotechnology for Spring/Fall 2027 intake in Dr. Kung-Hui (Bella) Chu’s Biotechnology Laboratory. The research themes include PFAS biodegradation, fate, and treatment , persistent organic pollutants , emerging contaminants , environmental microbiology , synthetic biology , molecular biology , bioinformatics , and microbial engineering . Additional opportunities are mentioned in biomining and bioproduct production . Eligibilit...
Molecular Biology
Environmental Science
Biology
+5 more
1 week ago
Texas A&M University
United States
.
1 week ago
Chu Biotechnology Lab at Texas A&M University is advertising Ph.D. student and postdoc positions in environmental biotechnology. The lab, led by Dr. Kung-Hui (Bella) Chu , studies microbial-mediated processes in natural and engineered systems and develops biotechnologies for environmental and sustainability challenges in water, soils, food, and energy. Current research themes include PFAS biodegradation , treatment of emerging contaminants, microbial detection/tracking, bioremediation, phytoreme...
Molecular Biology
Microbiology
Environmental Science
+9 more
1 week ago
Yi Wang
University of California, Davis
United States
.
1 week ago
Yi Wang’s lab at the University of California, Davis is hiring for postdoctoral researcher and PhD student positions. The research focus includes metabolic engineering , synthetic biology , and bioprocess engineering , with projects that also include rare earth element recovery . This opportunity is especially relevant for candidates interested in engineering biological systems, microbial and cellular design, and process development for sustainable biotechnology applications. The post notes a ti...
Biomedical Engineering
Chemical Engineering
Materials Science
+4 more
1 week ago
Kehan Zhang
University of Minnesota
United States
.
2 weeks ago
University of Minnesota | Zhang Lab | Biomedical Engineering The Zhang Lab has launched in the Department of Biomedical Engineering at the University of Minnesota and is recruiting founding PhD students for Fall 2027 . The position is described as fully funded , with an application deadline of December 1, 2026 . The lab’s research sits at the intersection of synthetic biology , AI-guided design , high-throughput functional assays , and engineered human models . The group aims to develop programm...
Computer Science
Biomedical Engineering
Biology
+5 more
2 weeks ago
Daniel Yoo
Texas Tech University
United States
.
1 month ago
Daniel Yoo, Assistant Professor at Texas Tech University, is recruiting fully funded Ph.D. students for his lab for Spring 2027 and Fall 2027 . The research group focuses on bioengineering and synthetic biology , making this a strong fit for students interested in interdisciplinary graduate research at the interface of engineering and biology. Funding is explicitly stated to include stipend support and tuition support for qualified students. Applicants are described as needing to be passionate a...
Biomedical Engineering
Chemical Engineering
Biology
+3 more
1 month ago
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Popular positions
Aaron Wright
Baylor University
United States
.
3 months ago
The Wright Group at Baylor University is recruiting PhD students to begin in Fall 2027 . Research interests include Chemical Biology , Multi-omics , Microbiome Sciences , and projects at the intersection of these areas. The position is associated with Aaron Wright , James R. Schofield Endowed Chair in Biomedical Sciences in the Department of Biology. This is a graduate research opportunity for students interested in interdisciplinary biological and chemical approaches. The post does not mention ...
Chemistry
Biology
Chemical Biology
+1 more
3 months ago
Juhwan Lee
Virginia Commonwealth University
United States
.
3 months ago
Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) is seeking a highly motivated PhD student to join the research group of Assistant Professor Juhwan Lee in the Department of Biomedical Engineering, starting in Fall 2027. The group’s research interests include AI, medical image analysis, cardiovascular imaging, and multimodal data analytics, with the goal of improving the diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment of cardiovascular disease. This opportunity is especially relevant for students interested in biomedi...
Computer Science
Data Science
Biomedical Engineering
+9 more
3 months ago
Kehan Zhang
University of Minnesota
United States
.
2 weeks ago
University of Minnesota | Zhang Lab | Biomedical Engineering The Zhang Lab has launched in the Department of Biomedical Engineering at the University of Minnesota and is recruiting founding PhD students for Fall 2027 . The position is described as fully funded , with an application deadline of December 1, 2026 . The lab’s research sits at the intersection of synthetic biology , AI-guided design , high-throughput functional assays , and engineered human models . The group aims to develop programm...
Computer Science
Biomedical Engineering
Biology
+5 more
2 weeks ago
Living costs in United States
Estimated costs in United States.
MonthlyYearly | United States |
|---|---|
 Groceries Basic food shopping for one student per year | $3.0k $3,000/yr |
 Clothing Basic clothing and seasonal needs per year | $1.5k $1,500/yr |
 Books & Academic Supplies Textbooks, stationery, and academic materials per year | $800 $800/yr |
 Housing Shared flats and off-campus rentals per year | $12.0k $12,000/yr |
Estimates based on university averages and Numbeo
Popular professors
Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science University of Minnesota Minneapolis Minnes
United States
Research Interests
Cell Biology
Tissue Engineering
Assay Development
Cell Reprogramming
Systems Biology
College of Agriculture
United States
Research Interests
Entomology
Cell Biology
Rna Biology
Molecular Biology
Insecticide Resistance
Has grant
Assistant Professor
Baylor College of Medicine
United States
Research Interests
Biochemistry
Cell Biology
Gene Therapy
Cholesterol Metabolism
Genome Editing
Has grant
Professors you could contact
Professor
Stanford University
United States
Research Interests
Biochemistry
Cell Biology
Synthetic Biology
Protein Chemistry
Glycobiology
Northwestern University
United States
Research Interests
Biochemical Engineering
Biochemistry
Synthetic Biology
Genome Engineering
Molecular Biology
University of Southern California
United States
Research Interests
Biochemical Engineering
Tissue Engineering
Metabolic Engineering
Bioprocessing
Synthetic Biology
Scholarships relevant to you
Fulbright-Nehru Doctoral Research Fellowships
Fully Funded
United States-India Educational Foundation (USIEF) under the Fulbright ProgramUnited StatesCloses Usually in July
United StatesCloses Usually in JulyFulbright-Nehru Doctoral Research Fellowships support Indian PhD scholars to conduct doctoral research at U.S. institutions for 6 to 9 months as part of their PhD in India.
PhD
Fulbright-Nehru Fellowships
Varies
United States-India Educational FoundationUnited StatesAnnual
United StatesAnnualFulbright-Nehru Fellowships support Indian students, scholars and professionals to study, research, teach or pursue professional development in the United States through the Fulbright Program.
Master
PhD
PostDoc
Fulbright Degree Program Pakistan
Fully Funded
United States Educational Foundation in Pakistan (USEFP) in partnership with the United States Department of StateUnited StatesAnnual
United StatesAnnualThe Fulbright Degree Program Pakistan supports Pakistani students to pursue graduate study in the United States, with funding typically covering tuition, living costs and related expenses.
Master
PhD
Explore other paths
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Quick
Questions
Do I need to contact a supervisor before applying for a PhD position?
In many European and Asian universities yes; in some US programs applications are centralized but supervisor contact still helps.
Is GRE required for master’s or PhD applications abroad?
It depends on the country and university — many programs have made GRE optional, especially outside the US.
Do funded PhD positions usually cover tuition and living expenses?
Yes. Most funded PhD roles include tuition coverage plus a monthly stipend, but details vary by country and lab.
Are publications required to apply for PhD or postdoc positions?
Not always required for PhD, but strongly recommended. For postdoc roles, publications are usually expected.
Will I need to pay a tuition deposit for master’s admission?
In many countries yes — especially for taught master’s programs — but funded PhD positions typically do not require deposits.