University of Connecticut | School of Civil & Environmental Engineering Professor Baikun Li in the School of Civil and Environmental Engineering at the University of Connecticut invites applications for Ph.D. positions to conduct frontier research in bioelectrochemistry, wastewater resource recovery, electrochemical systems for elemental recovery, water and soil monitoring, AI-aided advanced material discovery, data-driven modeling, and DFT/MD simulations. These positions are available beginning Fall 2026.
Research Focus: Electrochemical and Biochemical Wastewater Resource Recovery Positioned at the interface of wastewater system development, electrochemistry, physics, biology, and computational modeling, the research program emphasizes:
- Electrochemical and biochemical sensing technologies for wastewater monitoring
- Biological wastewater treatment and resource recovery
- Bioenergy generation from waste streams
- DFT/MD-based simulation of electrochemical systems
- AI-aided design and synthesis of environmentally friendly advanced functional materials
Minimum Qualifications
Applicants are expected to demonstrate strong academic and research potential, including:
- A Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Environmental Engineering, Chemical Engineering, or a closely related discipline, with a minimum GPA of 3.6
- Demonstrated motivation to engage in interdisciplinary research at the interface of multiple scientific domains
- Strong hands-on experimental skills, solid understanding of electrochemical principles, and proficiency in modeling and computational methods, along with a collaborative mindset and problem-solving orientation
- For international applicants, a TOEFL score ≥ 90 (internet-based) or an IELTS score ≥ 6.5
Preferred Backgrounds
Candidates with training in the following areas are particularly encouraged to apply:
- Environmental Science and Engineering
- Bioengineering or Chemical Engineering
- Materials Science
- Environmental Chemistry
Funding and Research Environment
Graduate Research Assistants will be supported through projects funded by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE). Students will have extensive opportunities for interdisciplinary collaboration across departments and research centers.
Application Process
Review of applications is ongoing and will continue until all positions are filled. Interested candidates should contact Prof. Baikun Li at baikun.li@uconn.edu with the subject line: “Ph.D. student application for Fall 2026.” And the following materials:
- Statement of research interests & motivation (1 page)
- Curriculum Vitae
- Unofficial Transcripts
- Publications (if available)
Additional information about the department is available at: https://cee.engr.uconn.edu/people/li-baikun
About the University of Connecticut
The University of Connecticut (UConn) is a leading public research institution located in Storrs, Connecticut. Founded in 1881, its 4,400-acre main campus is approximately 30 minutes from Hartford and 90 minutes from Boston. UConn is classified as an R1 doctoral university (very high research activity) and is recognized as a “Public Ivy” in the New England region. It consistently ranks among the top public universities in the United States.
UConn is an affirmative action and equal opportunity employer. Applicants from underrepresented groups are strongly encouraged to apply.
About Principal Investigator
Professor Baikun Li is the Centennial Professor of Environmental Engineering at UConn. She has supervised approximately 20 Ph.D. students and secured over $20 million in research funding from federal, state, and industrial sources. Her group has published more than 160 peer-reviewed articles in leading journals, including Energy & Environmental Science, Environmental Science & Technology, and Water Research.
Dr. Li was inducted into the Connecticut Academy of Science and Engineering in 2017 and currently serves as an associate editor for the Journal of Environmental Engineering.