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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.

Follow the deadlines and instructions on the UBC Website below, and recommendations from the CHBE Grad Office for application procedure. Students who apply to the PhD program, also apply for the PhD GRA Position. Applications will be reviewed and evaluated (shortlisted) after the document/reference deadlines.


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 HS-55266 during correspondence about this position.

Please note that applicants 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.