Fully funded PhD positions in Environmental Engineering at Penn State University
Apul Research Group in the Civil & Environmental Engineering at Penn State University is seeking to hire highly motivated PhD students (2) with backgrounds in environmental chemistry, physicochemistry, water treatment, environmental science, material science, chemical engineering or other closely related fields to study intermolecular interactions of emerging, aquatic pollutants (e.g., PFAS, nanoplastics) at the interphases within the context water treatment. The graduate research assistantships will be fully funded, including stipend, tuition and benefits starting in Fall 2025.
Project 1: The goal of the first project is to delineate molecular level interactions between PFAS molecules and spent adsorption media (e.g., spent granular activated carbons, graphenes) in an effort to develop a regeneration approach while destroying PFAS molecules. Early stages of the work have been funded by National Science Foundation (NSF). To compliment the ongoing work, the graduate student is expected to conduct loading/adsorption experiments as well as thermal regeneration tests for a suite of traditional and novel adsorbents.
Project 2: The goals of the second project is to study fundamental aspects of nanobubble generation, stability and applications to advance efficiency of water treatment. The early stages of the work have been backed by NASA to advance nanobubble applications for life support systems in space exploration and additional complementary work will be conducted by the graduate student to improve sustainability of nanobubble-based water treatment systems.
The responsibilities for this position:
- Literature survey, experimental design, planning and coordination, lab work, data analysis, reporting to address the objective described in the above projects;
- Collaboration with peers and collaborators, supervising of undergraduate researchers;
- Support the lab in maintaining instruments, purchasing supplies and helping with general aspects of maintaining a safe and operational lab;
- Preparing manuscripts for peer reviewed journals and presenting findings at conferences.
Qualifications:
- BS or MS in Environmental Engineering, Environmental Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, or a closely related discipline.
- Ability to work in diverse and collaborative environments with strong verbal and written communication skills.
- Competitive applicants are encouraged to demonstrate laboratory work experience, or other research experience that yielded highly-impactful peer-reviewed publications as first or second author.
Application instructions:
Review of applications will begin on March 1st, 2025 and will continue until the positions are filled. Applicants should email their application materials as a single PDF addressing Prof. Onur Apul (oga5061@psu.edu) with the subject line “PhD Application 2025” to ensure evaluation of application materials:
- Cover letter (no more than 1 page)
- CV (no page limit)
- Example publications (no more than to 2)
- Names and contact information of two references
Additional Information:
The goal of Apul Research Group is to make relevant and impactful contributions to environmental engineering discipline via fundamental research on carbon adsorption. We are a diverse, inclusive, equitable group of researchers that share the values are integrity, curiosity, respect, compassion, courage, creativity and accountability. For more information you can visit (www.onurapul.com)
Penn State (www.psu.edu) is an elite research university, an AAU member, and a Carnegie R1 school with $1.34 billion annual research expenditures. Penn State has an extremely powerful alumni network enabling $4.50 billion endowment making Penn State Alumni Association is the largest dues-paying alumni association in the world. Also the university is one of the three land-, space-, sun-, and sea-grant schools in the nation and often ranked top 30 in public schools (according to US News). Graduate Engineering Programs at Penn State are Ranked 17 among public institutions nationwide with ambitious and supportive programs.
Our research group is located in one of the newest interdisciplinary engineering buildings (ECoRE built in 2024; https://www.engr.psu.edu/master-plan/ecore-building.aspx) on the flagship campus of Penn State in College Park (aka Happy Valley). The campus and the city are presenting a safe, productive, balanced and rewarding grad school experience. The campus is home to Beaver Stadium, the second-largest stadium in the Western hemisphere. Whether you're living on campus or commuting, you'll be part of a close-knit community that supports your personal growth, encourages collaboration, and provides a network of lifelong friendships.