University of Colorado Boulder

What you'll study

The PhD programme centres on original research supervised by faculty in materials science and related departments. Doctoral candidates develop a customised study plan that typically includes advanced coursework in core topics, pedagogical experiences, and a major independent research project leading to a written dissertation and oral defence.

• Core subject areas: materials thermodynamics and kinetics, structure–property relationships, materials characterisation techniques, computational materials science, and materials processing.
• Typical specialised modules and topics: nanomaterials and nanofabrication, electronic and photonic materials, biomaterials and tissue engineering, polymers and soft matter, corrosion and surface engineering, energy materials and electrochemical systems, additive manufacturing, and advanced microscopy and spectroscopy methods.
• Research training: hands-on experience with X-ray diffraction, electron microscopy (SEM/TEM), scanning probe techniques, spectroscopy, cleanroom micro/nanofabrication, and high-performance computing for materials modelling.
• Structure: early-stage coursework and qualifying examinations or milestone reviews, followed by focused laboratory or computational research under a faculty advisor, participation in seminars and teaching or mentoring assignments, and regular progress reviews leading to dissertation submission and defence.

Entry requirements

Applicants are normally expected to hold a relevant master’s degree in materials science, materials engineering, chemical engineering, physics, chemistry, mechanical engineering or a closely related discipline. Outstanding candidates with a strong bachelor’s degree and substantial research experience may also be considered.

• Academic record: a strong undergraduate and, if applicable, graduate GPA with demonstrated coursework in materials science fundamentals (e.g. solid state physics, thermodynamics, materials characterisation).
• Research experience: evidence of research potential, such as a master’s thesis, publications, or documented laboratory experience; prospective supervisors often expect a clear research interest aligned with faculty expertise.
• Supporting documents: academic transcripts, curriculum vitae, a statement of research interests or proposal, and letters of recommendation from academic or professional referees.
• English language: for international applicants, proof of English proficiency is required when prior education was not conducted in English; acceptable tests and required scores are set by the university.
• Additional considerations: applicants should consult departmental guidance about funding, availability of potential faculty supervisors, and whether submission of standardised test scores is necessary or recommended.

Career prospects

Graduates of the PhD programme are prepared for a wide range of research-intensive careers. Many pursue academic positions as tenure-track faculty or postdoctoral researchers, while others move into research scientist and engineering roles in industry.

• Academia and research: postdoctoral appointments, university faculty roles, and principal investigator positions leading independent research groups.
• National laboratories and government research: positions at national labs and government research organisations, especially given the programme’s proximity and connections to nearby national research facilities.
• Industry R&D: senior scientist and engineering roles in semiconductor, aerospace, energy, biomedical devices, advanced manufacturing and materials supply sectors.
• Start-ups and technology translation: roles in technology development, IP management and commercialisation of novel materials and devices.
• Other careers: patent law (with additional qualifications), consulting, and technical leadership in multidisciplinary teams.

Why study at University of Colorado Boulder

The University of Colorado Boulder offers an interdisciplinary environment with strong links between materials research, engineering disciplines and physical sciences. The programme benefits from modern shared facilities for characterisation and fabrication, collaborative research centres, and a culture that supports translation of materials research into practical applications.

• Interdisciplinary strengths: easy collaboration across engineering, physics, chemistry and applied mathematics, enabling projects that combine experiment, theory and computation.
• Facilities and resources: access to advanced microscopy, spectroscopy, cleanroom facilities and high-performance computing resources used across campus research groups.
• Regional research ecosystem: close proximity to national laboratories and a vibrant regional tech sector, which supports collaborative projects, internships and employment opportunities.
• Mentoring and professional development: a focus on mentoring PhD students, opportunities to teach or mentor undergraduates, and professional development programmes that prepare graduates for academic and non-academic careers.