PhD Positions in UBC Chemical and Biological Engineering

The Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering at The University of British Columbia is currently recruiting 30 to 40 M.A.Sc., M.Sc, and Ph.D. students for Fall 2022.

Funding packages start at $25,000 per year for PhD students.

Faculty and students within the Chemical and Biological Engineering Department conduct field-defining research that is providing solutions to many of the World’s most pressing challenges – advanced fuel cells batteries and photovoltaics that provide clean energy while reducing use of gasoline and other fossil fuels, green technologies and whole processes to convert renewable natural resources into the vast array of products, chemicals and materials used by society now and in the future. Solutions to the above challenges are inextricably linked to our understanding of complex chemical and biological systems.

The department provides graduate students with a collegial and collaborative environment to conduct interdisciplinary research. We value diversity, equity and inclusivity to strengthen our work and impact. More than 50% of our student community are international students and 50% are women. Our faculty, leaders in their research fields, provide mentorship and training to develop the next generation of innovative and creative researchers to address the world’s most pressing challenges. Our graduate alumni become leaders in start-ups, industry, academia, and research.

The M.A.Sc., M.Sc, and Ph.D. in Chemical and Biological Engineering are research degrees that integrate research with fundamental and advanced courses.  Students are provided the opportunity to assume teaching assistantships in undergraduate courses. Students work under the guidance of their Research Supervisor, and other faculty members. Students must satisfactorily complete course work, a comprehensive examination (Ph.D. only), a departmental exam, and write and defend a research-based thesis.

Research topics include, but are not limited to:

• Biorefining, Biofuels, Bio-Based Materials and Nanocellulose
• Biotechnology and Biomedical Engineering
• Catalysis, Transport Phenomena
• Energy Production and Storage
• Environmental Engineering and Sustainability
• Green Process and Product Engineering
• Polymer Science and Engineering
• Nanotechnology and Nanomaterials
• Thermodynamics and Reaction Engineering
• Water, Energy and Food Nexus

Learn more about our programs at chbe.ubc.ca.

CHBE faculty members and their research interests are available at chbe.ubc.ca/our-people/faculty.

Application and scholarships 

All applicants are automatically considered for a range of internal scholarships at the time of application and are encouraged to apply for additional scholarship opportunities.

Review PhD program requirements and apply at https://www.grad.ubc.ca/prospective-students/graduate-degree-programs/phd-chemical-biological-engineering

September 2022 start date

Applicants from Canada & the U.S – Application complete with documents, February 1st.

International applicants – Application complete with documents, February 1st.

This posting is for the UBC Vancouver campus in British Columbia, Canada.

Please refer to reference number NC-55266 during correspondence about this position.

Please note that shortlisted candidates will have to complete an online application to the University of British Columbia and gain admission as a graduate student to the university. Applicants should review the graduate program profile to learn about admission requirements, application deadlines, program duration, tuition, or to read student and alumni stories.

About UBC
The University of British Columbia is a global centre for research and teaching, consistently ranked among the top 20 public universities in the world. Since 1915, UBC’s entrepreneurial spirit has embraced innovation and challenged the status quo. UBC encourages its students, staff and faculty to challenge convention, lead discovery and explore new ways of learning. At UBC, bold thinking is given a place to develop into ideas that can change the world.

Doctoral studies at UBC Vancouver
UBC is a public university with a comprehensive program offering – covering all major academic disciplines and degree levels, with both research- and course-based program options. More than 50,000 students attend UBC Vancouver. As a PhD student at UBC Vancouver you’ll be part of a diverse community of over 3,600 doctoral scholars at an institution that recognises and rewards the significant contributions of doctoral research. UBC is at the forefront of responding to and building on the extraordinary changes happening in our societies and our world, through reimagining approaches to research graduate education and exploring flexible methodologies for learners to develop needed expertise. UBC’s Public Scholars Initiative for example is a pioneering program designed to encourage and support doctoral students to reimagine the PhD, contribute to the public good, and with their doctoral work rise to the challenges that increasingly define our times.

At UBC, you will be supported with a range of professional development workshops and services, and we’ll partner with you to ensure you have a graduate game plan for academic and professional success.

You are encouraged to review the awards and scholarship database to determine funding opportunities for your doctoral degree. UBC Vancouver guarantees a minimum of CAD $22,000 of funding to eligible students for your first four years of PhD study with many programs offering higher funding packages. Funding highly varies by program and will be commensurate with qualifications, experience and awards secured. Most international students benefit from the International Tuition Award and PhD students usually qualify for the President’s Academic Excellence Initiative PhD Award.

About Vancouver
Vancouver is a dynamic, cosmopolitan and progressive city, consistently ranked as one of the top cities to live in the world. Canada’s third largest city has it all: sea, parks, mountains, beaches, and four seasons per year, including beautiful summers and mild, wet winters with snow in the mountains. It’s the perfect backdrop to your academic research.