The E-Carbon Lab at Oakland University is recruiting one fully funded Ph.D. student to conduct research on carbon formation in high-temperature systems, methane and hydrocarbon pyrolysis, electrified thermal processes, and hydrogen and solid-carbon production.
The selected student may pursue one of two research tracks, depending on their background and interests.
Track 1: Computational Modeling and Scientific Computing
Potential research topics include:
- Computational modeling of reacting flows and thermochemical reactors
- Particle and population-balance modeling
- Chemical kinetics and transport phenomena
- Modeling carbon formation, morphology, and structural evolution
- Development and integration of reduced-order models into reactor simulations
Applicants to this track should have demonstrated experience writing, implementing, or substantially modifying scientific code. Relevant experience may include Python, Fortran, C++, MATLAB, Julia, or related languages, as well as numerical methods, CFD, reacting flows, chemical kinetics, particle modeling, or scientific computing.
Experience limited to operating commercial simulation software without code or model development is not sufficient by itself.
Track 2: Experimental Thermochemical Processes and Carbon Materials
Potential research topics include:
- Methane and hydrocarbon pyrolysis
- Electrified thermal and thermochemical reactors
- Experimental investigation of carbon formation and deposition
- Carbon and catalyst synthesis
- Reactor design, construction, and operation
- Characterization of carbon morphology, structure, porosity, and properties
- Relationships between processing conditions and carbon-material performance
Applicants to this track should have hands-on research experience in areas such as pyrolysis, combustion, gasification, catalysis, chemical vapor deposition, high-temperature reaction engineering, experimental thermofluids, materials synthesis, or materials characterization.
Previous experience specifically in methane pyrolysis is not required.
Qualifications
Applicants must:
- Hold a completed master’s degree before beginning the Ph.D. program
- Have a degree in mechanical engineering, chemical engineering, materials science and engineering, or a closely related field
- Demonstrate research experience relevant to one of the two tracks
- Meet the admission requirements for Oakland University’s Ph.D. program in Mechanical Engineering
- Be able to enroll full-time and begin the position in person
Funding and Start Date
The position is fully funded and includes:
- Tuition support
- A research and/or teaching assistantship stipend
- Standard benefits associated with the graduate assistantship appointment
Funding is anticipated for up to four years, subject to satisfactory academic and research progress, assistantship performance, continued eligibility, and university policies.
The preferred start date is the earliest feasible academic term. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled.
Research Environment
The E-Carbon Lab studies how carbon forms, evolves, and acquires its structure and properties in high-temperature reacting systems. Research combines experiments, materials characterization, particle and reactor modeling, and transport simulations to connect fundamental carbon-formation mechanisms with reactor design and material performance.
Graduate students receive close interaction with the principal investigator, substantial ownership of their research direction, and opportunities to publish, present at conferences, and collaborate across disciplines.
Oakland University is located in Southeast Michigan and offers a close-knit research environment with strong connections to the automotive, manufacturing, energy, and advanced-materials industries.
How to Apply
Prospective students must contact Dr. Francisco Cepeda (franciscocepeda@oakland.edu) before submitting a formal application to Oakland University.
Please send:
- A curriculum vitae
- Unofficial transcripts
- A brief research-fit statement describing:
- Which track you are applying to
- Your relevant research experience
- Your personal contribution to your most relevant project
- Why you are interested in the E-Carbon Lab
- Evidence of relevant work, when available, such as a publication, thesis chapter, technical report, code sample, or GitHub repository when available
- Your earliest feasible start term
Please use the email subject line:
Prospective Ph.D. Student – [Computational or Experimental] – [Your Name]
Shortlisted applicants will be invited to a technical interview. Please do not submit a formal Oakland University application until invited to do so following the initial review.
Additional information:
https://sites.google.com/oakland.edu/e-carbon-lab/opportunities
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