About this page

Our systems have detected unusual traffic from your computer network. This page checks to see if it's really you sending the requests, and not a robot.

IP address: 185.66.15.189

Receive job alerts that match your preferences.

30 PhD jobs in Chemical Engineering

Find PhD jobs in Chemical Engineering here. To have new jobs sent to you the day they're posted, sign up for job alerts.

  • PhD positions in Engineering (235)

Other subfields

  • PhD positions in Electrical Engineering (73)
  • PhD positions in Mechanical Engineering (46)
  • PhD positions in Engineering Physics (38)
  • PhD positions in Materials Engineering (34)
  • PhD positions in Biomedical Engineering (31)

Search results (30)

...

PhD Position – Automation of a High-Throughput Setup for Electrochemical Systems

Would you like to contribute to the energy transition in Germany through your work? Then the Helmholtz Institute Erlangen-Nürnberg (for Renewable Energy) (HI ERN) is the right place for you! The HI ERN forms the core of the close partnership betwe...

...

Next generation digital twins for smart manufacturing systems

The KU Leuven research group within the Department of Mechanical Engineering has significant experience in digital twins for manufacturing systems. The main industrial applications are discrete man...

Reaction engineering for the design of pharmaceutical reactors

We offer a full-time PhD position in the CREaS group at the Department of Chemical Engineering at KU Leuven. Our core activities are related to (bio)Chemical Reactor Engineering and Safety. We aim ...

...

PhD on Switchable and adaptive sustainable inks and coatings

Within the research group Stimuli-responsive Materials and Devices at Eindhoven University of Technology (TU/e) we have a vacancy for a Ph.D. position.Position PhD-studentIrène Curie Fellowship NoDepartment(s) Chemical Engineering and ChemistryFTE...

PhD Electrospunbound porous membrane adsorbers for water purification & reuse

Position PhD-studentIrène Curie Fellowship NoDepartment(s) Chemical Engineering and ChemistryFTE 1,0Date off 21/04/2024Reference number V37.7320Job descriptionIn these times where circularity and accessibility to safe drinking and irrigation water...

...

The UCAM-SENS unit is recruiting six (6) PhD students

BackgroundThe UCAM-SENS is a scientific unit that strives for the true digital transformation of key domains such as Health, Sport, Food and the Environment by using advanced (bio)chemical sensing based on electrochemistry and imaging principles. ...

...

PhD position on: Understanding and controlling membrane fouling in biorefinery applications

Job descriptionWithin Membrane Surface Science (MSuS) and Membrane Process Technology (MPT), both part of the Department of Membrane Science & Technology (MST) of the University of Twente, the Neth...

PhD Position to Pioneer the Future of Sustainable Heating: Integrating Fuel Cell and Heat Pump

Job descriptionThe challengeThe key challenge we all privately face on our way to a sustainable future is the provision of domestic heating during winter and efficiently using the high solar energy...

...

Research Associate (Postdoctoral fellow)/Research Assistant (PhD candidate) in Environmental Technology

IntroductionGhent University Global Campus (GUGC; http://www.ugent.be/globalcampus/en) is an integrated campus of Ghent University, Belgium, and the first European university to be part of the Incheon Global Campus (IGC) in Incheon, South Korea. G...

...

Junior researcher (doctoral student) for the project ‘Emission Free Pulping’

The Department of Separation Science of LUT University is hiring a junior researcher (doctoral student) for the project ‘Emission Free Pulping’ funded by Business Finland. Description of the positionIn this position, you will work as a part of the...

...

PhD student position in CO2 electrocatalysis

Materials science and technology are our passion. With our cutting-edge research, Empa's around 1,100 employees make essential contributions to the well-being of society for a future worth living. ...

...

2024 New Year Famous Universities and Enterprises PhDs Recruitment and Cooperation Video Matchmaking Meeting

1、 Event Introduction In the Chinese New Year of 2024, Juqi Consulting collaborated with the Famous universities and enterprises club to organize global PhDs visits to well-known Chinese enterprises and universities, coordinating job recruitment a...

...

Doctoral scholarship holder (flow) batteries and electrochemical engineering for research group ELCAT

Let’s shape the future - University of AntwerpThe University of Antwerp is a dynamic, forward-thinking university. We offer an innovative academic education to more than 20000 students, conduct pio...

...

22 fully funded PhD positions in Inorganic materials and technology, 4- years study at FunGlass

What we offer:Unique opportunity to participate in the research center created by European project integrating significant international knowhow and experience with access to internships with FunGlass international partners at their home sites in ...

PhD on Autonomous Formulation Discovery

Do you want to develop an autonomous formulation discovery lab?Position PhD-studentIrène Curie Fellowship NoDepartment(s) Biomedical EngineeringFTE 1,0Date off 24/03/2024Reference number V50.7091Job descriptionEindhoven University of Technology (T...

...

Doctoral student in development of lignin-based carbon materials for metallurgy

Project descriptionThe present PhD project brings together the two largest industrial sectors in Sweden: the metallurgical industry and the pulp and paper industry. The use of carbon is critical to...

PhD Position – Catalyst Development in the Department Chemical Hydrogen Storage

Would you like to contribute to the energy transition in Germany through your work? Then the Helmholtz Institute Erlangen-Nürnberg (for Renewable Energy) (HI ERN) is the right place for you! The HI ERN forms the core of the close partner­ship betw...

PhD position on biomicrofluidics for health: molecular imaging and drug delivery with microbubbles and ultrasound

Job descriptionJoin our research team and embark on a multidisciplinary PhD journey on experimental bio microfluidics with a high-impact application in health: molecular imaging and drug delivery w...

PhD position on alkaline water electrolysis

A vacancy is available for a PhD student in the field of alkaline water electrolysis within the group Sustainable Process Engineering at the Department of Chemical Engineering and Chemistry, Eindhoven University of Technology (TU/e), The Netherlan...

PhD position: Innovative Reactors for Sustainable Chemicals

Jobs by field.

  • Electrical Engineering 183
  • Machine Learning 181
  • Artificial Intelligence 174
  • Programming Languages 148
  • Molecular Biology 139
  • Biochemistry 108
  • Electronics 102
  • Applied Mathematics 101
  • Cell Biology 100
  • Management 97

Jobs by type

  • Postdoc 334
  • Assistant / Associate Professor 230
  • Professor 157
  • Researcher 121
  • Research assistant 102
  • Lecturer / Senior Lecturer 94
  • Tenure Track 87
  • Management / Leadership 67
  • Engineer 64

Jobs by country

  • Belgium 272
  • Netherlands 189
  • Switzerland 133
  • Luxembourg 121
  • Germany 113
  • Finland 104

Jobs by employer

  • University of Luxembourg 119
  • KU Leuven 90
  • Mohammed VI Polytechnic Unive... 81
  • Eindhoven University of Techn... 67
  • ETH Zürich 60
  • Ghent University 59
  • KTH Royal Institute of Techno... 52
  • University of Twente 45
  • Wenzhou-Kean University 35

This website uses cookies

chemical engineering phd jobs usa

Your browser is unsupported

We recommend using the latest version of IE11, Edge, Chrome, Firefox or Safari.

Chemical Engineering

College of engineering, phd program.

The PhD in Chemical Engineering at UIC develops students into researchers in their own right. Doctoral students work alongside faculty mentors to conduct investigations in their labs , and they also may have the opportunity to develop classroom skills as teaching assistants. Our doctoral programs produce top-tier candidates for high-level industry jobs, postdoctoral research positions, and tenure-track faculty roles at universities around the world.

PhD coursework covers core subjects in chemical engineering such as continuum and molecular fluid mechanics, heat and mass transfer, macroscopic and microscopic thermodynamics, chemical kinetics, and process analysis. Dissertation research projects are devised collaboratively between students and their faculty advisors. To get a sense of recent dissertations produced in our department, visit our dissertations page.

Program Overview Heading link Copy link

The PhD requires 108 semester hours, beginning with coursework and culminating in the research, writing, and defense of an original dissertation. We welcome applicants who are completing (or who have already completed) a master’s degree in chemical engineering or a related discipline, as well as applicants with only an undergraduate degree.

Students admitted with a prior master’s degree in their field of study  receive up to 32 semester hours of credit for their prior academic work, while students who are  directly admitted after their bachelor’s degree  will need to complete all 108 semester hours of PhD credit during their time in our program.

Sungjoon

At UIC, I feel that the faculty, as well as the other supporting offices, genuinely want you to succeed. Also, all kinds of academic and financial support are available if you are willing to look for them. Sungjoon Kim  |  PhD anticipated '22

PhD Degree Requirements Heading link Copy link

Requirements.

Courses:  6 courses (24 semester hours)

  • If a student has not completed one or more of the following courses in prior master’s study, these must be taken: CHE 520 Transport Phenomena; CHE 531 Numerical Methods in Chemical Engineering or CHE 545 Mathematical Methods in Chemical Engineering; CHE 501 Advanced Thermodynamics or CHE 502 Fluid Phase Equilibria; CHE 510 Separation Processes or CHE 511 Advanced Mass Transfer or CHE 512 Microhydrodynamics, Diffusion, and Membrane Transport; CHE 527 Advanced Chemical Reaction Engineering.
  • At least 24 semester hours must be taken (or awarded credit from the prior degree) at the 500 level.
  • At least 8 semester hours of advanced math must be part of the 24 semester hours at the 500 level, including at least one 500-level course from UIC’s Department of Mathematics, Statistics, and Computer Science.

Departmental seminar:  Students must enroll in CHE 595 Seminar in Chemical Engineering Research for one semester hour each term, to a maximum of 4 hours.

Dissertation research:  52 semester hours of CHE 599 PhD Thesis Research.

Required core courses: 6 courses (24 semester hours)

  • CHE 501 Advanced Thermodynamics or CHE 502 Fluid Phase Equilibria
  • CHE 510 Separation Processes or CHE 511 Advanced Mass Transfer or CHE 512 Microhydrodynamics, Diffusion, and Membrane Transport
  • CHE 520 Transport Phenomena
  • CHE 527 Advanced Chemical Reaction Engineering
  • CHE 531 Numerical Methods in Chemical Engineering
  • CHE 545 Mathematical Methods in Chemical Engineering

Electives: 6 courses (24 semester hours) at the 400-level or above.

Departmental seminar: Students must enroll in CHE 595 Seminar in Chemical Engineering Research for one semester hour each term, to a maximum of 4 hours.

Dissertation research:  60 semester hours of CHE 599 PhD Thesis Research.

Preliminary Examination Heading link Copy link

PhD students must pass a preliminary examination before they begin the final phase of their doctoral study. The preliminary examination includes both a written component and an oral examination.

There is no qualifying examination.

Dissertation Process Heading link Copy link

Upon completion of all degree requirements and the dissertation, students must orally defend their work before their committee.

Additional Resources for PhD Students in ChE Heading link Copy link

  • Course descriptions
  • Degree requirements
  • Graduate courses page
  • Graduate student resources page

Learn about PhD program admissions

PhD Admissions

Main navigation, page contents, phd application timeline & deadline, phd admissions overview, phd admissions requirements, knight-hennessy scholars, phd frequently asked questions.

The Department of Chemical Engineering accepts applications to our graduate programs once per year for Autumn quarter entry only.

The application deadline for Autumn 2024 entry is December 1, 2023, at 11:59pm (PST).   All applications completed and received by this date will receive full consideration.  No late applications will be accepted.

All components of a graduate application must be received by the department no later than the appropriate deadline - including letters of recommendation.  Once submitted, applications are considered final, and no further updates are accepted.  Application review begins immediately so on-time submission of all materials is critical. 

A complete application consists of a completed application form, a statement of purpose (a summary of research experience for PhD applications), the application fee, three letters of recommendation, and TOEFL examination results (scores and percentages) if applicable.

The PhD application season is late-September through mid-December each year. The application is closed. No late applications will be accepted.

Our Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) program is open to all applicants who have completed a bachelor’s degree or will have completed one before matriculating as a graduate student at Stanford. 

What We Look For ChemE PhD students come from a wide variety of personal, educational, and professional backgrounds. We welcome applicants with undergraduate degrees in diverse STEM disciplines including Bioengineering, Biophysics, Chemical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Biochemistry, Physics, and Chemistry. There are no specific course requirements for applicants, but a competitive candidate will have strong quantitative training in mathematics and the physical sciences, along with a background in biology acquired through coursework or prior research. All admitted graduate students should be prepared to take the core courses in the first year.

We welcome students entering directly from undergraduate programs, as well as applicants with MS degrees and/or substantial work experience in areas ranging from biotechnology to robotics. Our admissions committee will look for evidence that an applicant has demonstrated qualities of successful PhD students such as creativity, self-initiative, dedication, and perseverance. We also aim to admit Chemical Engineering students who can thrive at Stanford because their specific interests and aspirations are well-matched with the research of our faculty and the educational environment of our department.

Individual Chemical Engineering faculty members do not admit applicants directly to their research groups. Please do not send individual faculty members or staff informal documents and appeals for informal evaluations and/or admission to a research group. We are unable to provide informal recommendations / evaluations on the basis of partial information such as a CV, test scores or a transcript. Inquiries and materials sent to individual professors may or may not be redirected to administrative staff. We encourage potential applicants to consider discussing their issues with faculty recommenders who know them well and could give better, individualized academic advice.

Applications are reviewed by a committee of faculty that hold appointments in ChemE and represent diverse research expertise. Each application is read in full and evaluated by at least two separate committee members. The applicants who are considered most competitive are then discussed by the entire admissions committee who attempt to balance the research interests, perspectives, and backgrounds & experiences in the final cohort of students who are offered admission.

The Department of Chemical Engineering considers the following in offering admission to our program:  

  • Academic preparation - applicant seeks and excels in coursework relevant to chemical engineering
  • Quality of prior research experience - applicant takes advantage of available research opportunities, has made meaningful contributions in their research, and has engaged in depth in experimental or theoretical work
  • Demonstrated resilience - applicant demonstrates an ability to overcome obstacles that present challenges in educational and training experiences
  • Curiosity, creativity - for example, as demonstrated by applicant’s chosen engagement in research opportunities and coursework
  • Motivation - applicant clearly describes personal motivation for graduate training and engagement in PhD research, demonstrated work ethic, and/or track record of pursuing available research and training opportunities
  • Maturity and preparedness - e.g. as demonstrated by applicant’s past engagement in activities and classes, ability to work in teams, leadership roles, and/or demonstrated commitment to scholarly work
  • Potential contribution to Stanford Chemical Engineering community

IMPORTANT: These departmental instructions and requirements are SUPPLEMENTAL to the  university-wide requirements  for each and every application for admission to any advanced degree program at Stanford University.

Application Materials

A degree in chemical engineering is not required but applicants should be familiar with key concepts and their applications. This typically means applicants have degrees in other science and engineering disciplines such as bioengineering, biology, chemistry, materials science, mathematics, mechanical engineering and physics. We are looking for coursework or other experiences demonstrating use of higher-level mathematics (e.g. linear algebra, partial differential equations) and recommend completion of core chemical engineering courses (e.g. fluid mechanics, heat and mass transport phenomena, chemical reaction kinetics, thermodynamics). An MS degree is not a prerequisite for admission to our PhD program or for PhD degree conferral. 

We invite excellent students from all backgrounds, including those from historically underrepresented groups in engineering, to consider Stanford University for their graduate studies. In making admissions decisions, the Department of Chemical Engineering will comply with the requirements of the law as determined by the Supreme Court of the United States, evaluating each applicant based on their “experiences as an individual—not on the basis of race.” We continue to value a diverse student body that benefits the educational experience of our students and our mission of generating knowledge at Stanford University.

1.Completed Online Application

Access  online application

2. Enriching the Learning Community

Stanford University welcomes graduate applications from individuals with a broad range of experiences, interests, and backgrounds who would contribute to our community of scholars. We invite you to share the lived experiences, demonstrated values, perspectives, and/or activities that shape you as a scholar and would help you to make a distinctive contribution to Stanford University.

3. Transcripts/Education History

Applicants are required to upload copies of their transcripts/academic records (including any legends/keys) directly into the online application. Please ensure that your scans are legible since the Admissions Committee will use them in their review process. Official transcripts will only be required for applicants who are admitted and accept the offer of graduate admission. Please do not arrange for any official transcripts to be sent to the department or Stanford graduate admissions until that time.

When completing the “Educational History 1” section of the application, you will be asked to list every college and university you have attended for a year or more, and any degree program in which you are currently enrolled. Please list the highest undergraduate degree awarded (e.g. Bachelor’s, Diploma, Maitrise, etc.) in the “Post-Secondary Institution 1” section.

4. Statement of Purpose (2 pages maximum)

In your statement of purpose, you should succinctly describe your reasons for applying to the Chemical Engineering PhD program, which may include:

Preparation and motivation for graduate study in Chemical Engineering

  • Aspects of your background and interests outside of research that are directly relevant to thriving in graduate school, such as obstacles overcome and experience in service and leadership
  • Motivation for pursuing a PhD drawing from specific examples of research , relevant work experience, and/or personal interests
  • Possible general areas of research you might pursue
  • Possible general areas of Chemical Engineering that you might pursue in your career
  • Any faculty member’s research that is of specific interest to you
  • Many experience obstacles in your education, especially during this past year. Please also feel free to provide further explanation about any challenges or obstacles you’ve faced in your academic preparation

The maximum length is two pages (single-spaced). Your statement of purpose should be a well-structured essay that effectively communicates the information above while demonstrating your expository writing ability; it is often effective to open with a summary paragraph.

5. Three letters of recommendation

Recommenders should know you well and be able to comment on your strengths and your potential for graduate study. Our faculty strongly prefer letters of recommendation from academic (or professional) references who can speak to your academic and/or research background (e.g. professors who have acted as research supervisors, or instructors who have had extensive individual interactions with you). Letters must be submitted by the stated deadline as application review begins immediately. Late letters will not be reviewed. Additionally, our faculty find it helpful to hear from references who can comment on your personal qualities that would enable you to succeed in our graduate programs (such as your work ethic, commitment to goals, passion for learning and teaching, and capacity to overcome adversity), even if these references are from outside of STEM fields (e.g. coaches, academic advisors, and university leaders). Additional recommenders beyond the 3 required Letters of Recommendation are not requested.  

The Department of Chemical Engineering does not accept letters of recommendation submitted through Interfolio.

6. List of Research Experience (CV/Resume format) - 1 page limit

Your Research Experience provides the admissions committee with additional information to better evaluate your preparation and fit for our program. This is an opportunity to summarize your qualifications, honors, educational accomplishments (including publications and presentations) and interests. It should be a bulleted list, and can be structured similarly to a CV or resume and include relevant experience.  Please note:  The application portal labels this the "Resume/CV" in the Experience section of the application and incorrectly states the page length is 3 pages. Please adhere to 1 page and upload your "List of Research Experience" where the application portal shows the "Resume/CV". 

7. TOEFL scores

Applicants whose first spoken language is not English are required to take the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), unless they qualify for an exemption or waiver. Applicants whose scores fall below Stanford’s minimum TOEFL requirements will still be considered for admission; if admitted, Stanford may require these students to take a placement exam and/or classes to satisfy the University’s English proficiency requirement.

TOEFL scores are retained for 20 months. For questions about the validity of TOEFL scores, please contact ETS. If ETS is able to send your TOEFL scores, we will accept them. Stanford currently does not accept scores from the IELTS exam.

8. Application Fee

Applicants who need assistance with the application fee are encouraged to apply for a fee waiver. Preference is given to low-income, first-generation, and underrepresented minority students who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents.

For applicants who are not receiving a waiver, a nonrefundable application fee of $125 is required for each application submitted to a graduate program at Stanford University. The fee must be paid through the payment section of the online application. The only accepted method of payment is by credit/debit card (Visa or MasterCard only).

Graduate Fee Waiver

Join dozens of  Stanford Engineering students  who gain valuable leadership skills in a multidisciplinary, multicultural community as  Knight-Hennessy Scholars  (KHS). KHS admits up to 100 select applicants each year from across Stanford’s seven graduate schools, and delivers engaging experiences that prepare them to be visionary, courageous, and collaborative leaders ready to address complex global challenges. As a scholar, you join a distinguished cohort, participate in up to three years of leadership programming, and receive full funding for up to three years of your PhD studies at Stanford. Candidates of any country may apply. KHS applicants must have earned their first undergraduate degree within the last seven years, and must apply to both a Stanford graduate program and to KHS. Stanford PhD students may also apply to KHS during their first year of PhD enrollment. If you aspire to be a leader in your field, we invite you to apply. The KHS application deadline is October 11, 2023. Learn more about  KHS admission . 

My official test scores will not arrive by the application deadline! Can I still apply?

Yes, you may still apply. You should take your ETS tests and request that scores be submitted to Stanford as well. Your application will not be considered complete until your official transcripts and test scores arrive. We will contact otherwise competitive applicants with incomplete applications for follow-up. Be sure your e-email address and telephone number are correct.

Are TOEFL scores required for admission?

In general, yes, if your first language is not English. On your application, self-report both your ETS scores and percentages. The Graduate Admissions website has further details about the university-wide test requirements and exceptions. Any request for a TOEFL waiver must to directed to central Graduate Admissions. Individual academic departments may not approve requests for waivers.  In general, there is a high expectation for English language fluency in both formal use and informal interactions, in written and oral situations. One of the key goals of our educational programs is the further development of communication skills in English and ongoing opportunities are built into the curriculum.

Is there a TOEFL exemption process if I received a degree from an institution whose primary instruction was in English?

TOEFL scores are required of all applicants whose first language is not English. Exemptions are granted to applicants who have earned a US bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral degree from a college or university accredited by a regional accrediting association in the United States, or the international equivalent degree from a university of recognized standing in a country in which all instruction is provide in English (Australia, Canada except Quebec, New Zealand, Singapore, and the UK. Stanford does not accept IELTS scores. More information can be found on the  Graduate Admissions website .

Do I need to select an advisor before starting the program?

Each first-year PhD student rotates with two different faculty research groups before choosing an advisor and lab in which to develop his or her own research projects. The rotations enable students to gain a better understanding of a given faculty member’s research program and to determine if that lab is a good fit for their future research. Furthermore, during the first six months, there are multiple opportunities to talk with a wide range of faculty members about their research.

I’m applying to the Knight-Hennessy Program. What’s my deadline? Do I need to do both applications?

You should submit two independent applications if you are applying to the Knight-Hennessy Program - one to the Chemical Engineering department by Dec 1 and one to Knight-Hennessy by their deadline. You should be sure to complete both your Knight-Hennessy application by their deadline of October 11, 2023. These applications are independent and separate. Be sure you complete each set of requirements for each separate application. Please visit the  Knight-Hennessy Website  for more information regarding the Knight Hennessy Scholars program.

Can I visit the department?

Admitted PhD applicants will be invited to visit the department and meet with our students and faculty.

May I apply to start graduate work in other times of the year than Autumn Quarter?

For programmatic and curricular reasons, admitted students should plan to commence studies at the beginning of the academic year, in September.

Are GRE scores required for admission?

GRE scores are no longer required or accepted as part of an applicant’s application materials.

What kinds of financial aid are available?

Fellowship awards, assistantship jobs and loans through the university. The department is the first point of contact for the administration of most external fellowships (NSF, NDSEG, DOD, DOE, NIH, Hughes, Bell/Lucent and various foundations,), university fellowships (Stanford Graduate Fellowship), School of Engineering and departmental fellowships, and research and teaching assistantships. The university's Financial Aid Office helps graduate students obtain loans.

What are my chances of getting financial aid?

We offer financial aid at the time of admission to approximately the top 5-10 percent of the PhD applicants, and virtually all the first-year PhD students in Chemical Engineering receive aid. Faculty hold workshops to help PhD students write research proposals and apply for external fellowships. Once PhD students join a research group, normally they are supported either by fellowship awards or assistantship jobs from their research advisors or a combination of these two sources of funds.

What is the usual size of the incoming chemical engineering PhD Class?

Recently, the incoming PhD classes have numbered in the mid-20s.

When will I find out about the decision on my application?

All applicants must maintain current and correct email addresses so we can communicate with you via email. PhD applicants can expect to hear from us in January/February. The final PhD decisions are made after the December PhD deadline so the entire pool may be considered. PhD decisions will be communicated to all applicants, in writing, via email.

Further questions can be directed to  [email protected]

  • Request Info
  • Check Status

Chemical Engineering PhD Program

Doctoral Program

UTSA’s PhD in Chemical Engineering is designed to prepare graduates to solve current engineering grand challenges and become leaders in chemical engineering industries.

Start Your Bold Future

By submitting this form, I agree that UTSA may contact me by email, voice, pre-recorded message and/or text message using automated technology.

Please enable javascript in your browser

chemical engineering phd jobs usa

Why Pursue a PhD in Chemical Engineering

UTSA offers state-of-the-art facilities and excellent program faculty, giving students the opportunity to pursue high-level multidisciplinary research projects in the broad fields of health, energy, materials, and the environment.

Graduates of this research-intensive program apply their cutting-edge research to solve problems across traditional scientific boundaries and lead careers in industry, academia, or governmental research laboratories.

chemical engineering phd jobs usa

Flexible Degree Plan

This degree offers a flexibility not typically found in similar programs to adapt to individualized student interests. Additional courses in leadership and engineering education are offered to complement a variety of future career goals.

Additionally, students in this program are highly encouraged to pursue a semester-long internship in a non-academic setting such as industry, private research institutes, or national laboratories.

Chemical Engineering Research Areas

Chemical Engineering faculty at UTSA are interested in solving grand challenges of energy production, from traditional such as fossil-fuel sources and natural gas, to alternative fuels and battery development.

Click to learn more about UTSA faculty performing Energy research:

  • Gary Jacobs, PhD
  • Additional Profile
  • Esteban Urena-Benavides, PhD

Environmental

Chemical Engineering faculty at UTSA conduct environmental research in the areas of water purification technologies, electrochemistry processes, bioremediation, carbon sequestration, oil recovery and renewable energy.

Click to learn more about UTSA faculty performing Environmental research:

  • Nehal Abu-Lail, PhD
  • Camilah Powell, PhD
  • Gongchen Sun, PhD

Chemical Engineering faculty at UTSA are interested in investigating materials for applications in catalysis, computing and simulation, electrochemistry, batteries, nanotechnology, and microfabrication.

Click to learn more about UTSA faculty performing Materials research:

  • Maria Gonzalez Porras, PhD
  • Teja Guda, PhD
  • Abelardo Ramirez-Hernandez, PhD

Bioengineering

Chemical Engineering faculty at UTSA perform bioengineering research for applications in drug delivery, tissue engineering, neuroengineering, sensing, microfluidics and artificial intelligence.

Click to learn more about UTSA faculty performing Bioengineering research:

  • Eric Brey, PhD
  • Amina Qutub, PhD

Chemical Engineering Education

Chemical Engineering faculty at UTSA are also interested in investigating innovative and inclusive methods for teaching and learning chemical engineering.

Click to learn more about UTSA faculty performing Chemical Engineering Education research:

  • Admission Requirements

Application Deadlines

Funding opportunities, career options, admission & application requirements.

Applications are submitted through the UTSA Graduate Application . Please upload all required documents (listed below) on your UTSA Graduate Application. It is the applicant’s responsibility to ensure completion and submission of the application, a nonrefundable application fee, and all required supporting documents are on file with UTSA by the appropriate application deadline.

Applicants are encouraged to have their admission file completed as early as possible. All applications, required documents and letters of recommendation, if applicable, must be submitted by 5:00 PM U.S. Central Time on the day of the deadline. Deadlines are subject to change.

PhD students may qualify for research or teaching positions, for which the Klesse College offers funding related to tuition, medical insurance, and an annual stipend of $26,000.

UTSA prepares you for future careers that are in demand. The possible careers below is data pulled by a third-party tool called Emsi, which pulls information from sources like the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Census Bureau, online job postings, other government databases and more to give you regional and national career outlook related to this academic program.

Course Offerings & Schedule

This is a research-intensive program. All courses are offered during the day at UTSA main campus. Most courses are offered through face-to-face instruction, but some online course options may be available.

chemical engineering phd jobs usa

Graduate Advisor of Record

Gabriela Romero Uribe, PhD

210-458-7982

Best Chemical Engineering Programs

Ranked in 2023, part of Best Engineering Schools

Chemical engineering involves chemistry, biology,

Chemical engineering involves chemistry, biology, math and physics. Graduates may become designers and inventors, potentially working with everything from nanotechnology to new energy. These are the top graduate chemical engineering programs. Each school's score reflects its average rating on a scale from 1 (marginal) to 5 (outstanding), based on a survey of academics at peer institutions. Read the methodology »

For full rankings, GRE scores and student debt data, sign up for the U.S. News Engineering School Compass .

Here are the Best Chemical Engineering Programs

Massachusetts institute of technology, california institute of technology, stanford university, university of california, berkeley, georgia institute of technology, university of minnesota--twin cities, princeton university, university of delaware, university of texas--austin (cockrell).

SEE THE FULL RANKINGS

  • Clear Filters

chemical engineering phd jobs usa

Cambridge , MA

  • # 1 in Chemical Engineering
  • # 1 in Best Engineering Schools

$57,590 per year (full-time) TUITION AND FEES (MASTER'S)

3,222 ENROLLMENT (FULL-TIME)

The application fee is $75 for U.S. residents and $75 for international students. Its tuition is full-time: $57,590 per... Read More »

Engineering school

Tuition and fees (master's).

$57,590 per year (full-time)

ENROLLMENT (FULL-TIME)

Average quantitative gre.

chemical engineering phd jobs usa

Pasadena , CA

  • # 2 in Chemical Engineering  (tie)
  • # 7 in Best Engineering Schools  (tie)

N/A TUITION AND FEES (MASTER'S)

548 ENROLLMENT (FULL-TIME)

The application fee is $75 for U.S. residents and $100 for international students. The 2022 Ph.D. student-faculty ratio... Read More »

chemical engineering phd jobs usa

Stanford , CA

  • # 2 in Best Engineering Schools

$66,297 per year (full-time) TUITION AND FEES (MASTER'S)

3,469 ENROLLMENT (FULL-TIME)

The application fee is $125 for U.S. residents and $125 for international students. Its tuition is full-time: $66,29... Read More »

$66,297 per year (full-time)

chemical engineering phd jobs usa

Berkeley , CA

  • # 3 in Best Engineering Schools

$11,700 per year (in-state, full-time) TUITION AND FEES (MASTER'S)

$26,802 per year (out-of-state, full-time) TUITION AND FEES (MASTER'S)

2,673 ENROLLMENT (FULL-TIME)

The application fee is $135 for U.S. residents and $155 for international students. Its tuition is full-time: $11,700... Read More »

$11,700 per year (in-state, full-time)

$26,802 per year (out-of-state, full-time)

chemical engineering phd jobs usa

Atlanta , GA

  • # 5 in Chemical Engineering
  • # 5 in Best Engineering Schools  (tie)

$14,064 per year (in-state, full-time) TUITION AND FEES (MASTER'S)

$29,140 per year (out-of-state, full-time) TUITION AND FEES (MASTER'S)

4,784 ENROLLMENT (FULL-TIME)

The application fee is $75 for U.S. residents and $85 for international students. Its tuition is full-time: $14,064 per... Read More »

$14,064 per year (in-state, full-time)

$29,140 per year (out-of-state, full-time)

chemical engineering phd jobs usa

Minneapolis , MN

  • # 6 in Chemical Engineering
  • # 37 in Best Engineering Schools  (tie)

$1,539 per credit (in-state, full-time) TUITION AND FEES (MASTER'S)

$2,382 per credit (out-of-state, full-time) TUITION AND FEES (MASTER'S)

1,619 ENROLLMENT (FULL-TIME)

The application fee is $75 for U.S. residents and $95 for international students. Its tuition is full-time: $1,539 per... Read More »

$1,539 per credit (in-state, full-time)

$2,382 per credit (out-of-state, full-time)

chemical engineering phd jobs usa

Princeton , NJ

  • # 7 in Chemical Engineering  (tie)
  • # 23 in Best Engineering Schools  (tie)

850 ENROLLMENT (FULL-TIME)

The application fee is $75 for U.S. residents and $75 for international students. The 2022 Ph.D. student-faculty ratio... Read More »

chemical engineering phd jobs usa

Newark , DE

  • # 42 in Best Engineering Schools  (tie)

$17,622 per year (in-state, full-time) TUITION AND FEES (MASTER'S)

$17,622 per year (out-of-state, full-time) TUITION AND FEES (MASTER'S)

912 ENROLLMENT (FULL-TIME)

The College of Engineering at University of Delaware has a rolling application deadline. The application fee is $75 for... Read More »

$17,622 per year (in-state, full-time)

$17,622 per year (out-of-state, full-time)

chemical engineering phd jobs usa

Austin , TX

$10,554 per year (in-state, full-time) TUITION AND FEES (MASTER'S)

$19,320 per year (out-of-state, full-time) TUITION AND FEES (MASTER'S)

2,395 ENROLLMENT (FULL-TIME)

The Cockrell School of Engineering at University of Texas--Austin (Cockrell) has a rolling application deadline. The... Read More »

$10,554 per year (in-state, full-time)

$19,320 per year (out-of-state, full-time)

chemical engineering phd jobs usa

University of Michigan--Ann Arbor

Ann Arbor , MI

  • # 10 in Chemical Engineering

$29,466 per year (in-state, full-time) TUITION AND FEES (MASTER'S)

$55,276 per year (out-of-state, full-time) TUITION AND FEES (MASTER'S)

3,800 ENROLLMENT (FULL-TIME)

The College of Engineering at University of Michigan--Ann Arbor has a rolling application deadline. The application fee... Read More »

$29,466 per year (in-state, full-time)

$55,276 per year (out-of-state, full-time)

chemical engineering phd jobs usa

University of California--Santa Barbara

Santa Barbara , CA

  • # 11 in Chemical Engineering
  • # 27 in Best Engineering Schools  (tie)

$12,852 per year (in-state, full-time) TUITION AND FEES (MASTER'S)

$27,954 per year (out-of-state, full-time) TUITION AND FEES (MASTER'S)

789 ENROLLMENT (FULL-TIME)

The application fee is $135 for U.S. residents and $155 for international students. Its tuition is full-time: $12,85... Read More »

$12,852 per year (in-state, full-time)

$27,954 per year (out-of-state, full-time)

chemical engineering phd jobs usa

University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (Grainger)

Urbana , IL

  • # 12 in Chemical Engineering  (tie)
  • # 11 in Best Engineering Schools

$19,320 per year (in-state, full-time) TUITION AND FEES (MASTER'S)

$36,798 per year (out-of-state, full-time) TUITION AND FEES (MASTER'S)

3,812 ENROLLMENT (FULL-TIME)

The application fee is $70 for U.S. residents and $90 for international students. Its tuition is full-time: $19,320 per... Read More »

$19,320 per year (in-state, full-time)

$36,798 per year (out-of-state, full-time)

chemical engineering phd jobs usa

University of Wisconsin--Madison

Madison , WI

$10,728 per year (in-state, full-time) TUITION AND FEES (MASTER'S)

$24,054 per year (out-of-state, full-time) TUITION AND FEES (MASTER'S)

1,574 ENROLLMENT (FULL-TIME)

The application fee is $75 for U.S. residents and $81 for international students. Its tuition is full-time: $10,728 per... Read More »

$10,728 per year (in-state, full-time)

$24,054 per year (out-of-state, full-time)

See all 144 Ranked Schools

Get the U.S. News Grad Schools School Compass and start finding the grad schools school that's right for you. You'll have access to expanded data including GMAT scores, financial aid information, graduate salary and employment statistics and more!

More Schools in this List (Alphabetical)

chemical engineering phd jobs usa

Arizona State University (Fulton)

  • in Chemical Engineering
  • # 41 in Best Engineering Schools

$12,014 per year (in-state, full-time) TUITION AND FEES (MASTER'S)

$32,656 per year (out-of-state, full-time) TUITION AND FEES (MASTER'S)

4,464 ENROLLMENT (FULL-TIME)

The application fee is $70 for U.S. residents and $115 for international students. Its tuition is full-time: $12,01... Read More »

$12,014 per year (in-state, full-time)

$32,656 per year (out-of-state, full-time)

chemical engineering phd jobs usa

Auburn University (Ginn)

Auburn , AL

  • # 55 in Best Engineering Schools  (tie)

$10,386 per year (in-state, full-time) TUITION AND FEES (MASTER'S)

$31,158 per year (out-of-state, full-time) TUITION AND FEES (MASTER'S)

636 ENROLLMENT (FULL-TIME)

The Samuel Ginn College of Engineering at Auburn University (Ginn) has a rolling application deadline. The application... Read More »

$10,386 per year (in-state, full-time)

$31,158 per year (out-of-state, full-time)

chemical engineering phd jobs usa

Brigham Young University (Fulton)

  • # 127 in Best Engineering Schools  (tie)

$7,932 per year (LDS member, full-time) TUITION AND FEES (MASTER'S)

$15,864 per year (Non-LDS member, full-time) TUITION AND FEES (MASTER'S)

424 ENROLLMENT (FULL-TIME)

The application fee is $50 for U.S. residents and $50 for international students. Its tuition is full-time: $7,932 per... Read More »

$7,932 per year (LDS member, full-time)

$15,864 per year (Non-LDS member, full-time)

chemical engineering phd jobs usa

Brown University

Providence , RI

  • # 63 in Best Engineering Schools  (tie)

$9,132 per credit (full-time) TUITION AND FEES (MASTER'S)

$9,132 per credit (part-time) TUITION AND FEES (MASTER'S)

The School of Engineering at Brown University has a rolling application deadline. The application fee is $75 for U.S... Read More »

$9,132 per credit (full-time)

$9,132 per credit (part-time)

chemical engineering phd jobs usa

Carnegie Mellon University (Carnegie)

Pittsburgh , PA

$52,100 per year (full-time) TUITION AND FEES (MASTER'S)

$2,172 per credit (part-time) TUITION AND FEES (MASTER'S)

4,843 ENROLLMENT (FULL-TIME)

The Carnegie Institute of Technology at Carnegie Mellon University (Carnegie) has a rolling application deadline. The... Read More »

$52,100 per year (full-time)

$2,172 per credit (part-time)

chemical engineering phd jobs usa

Case Western Reserve University (Case)

Cleveland , OH

  • # 53 in Best Engineering Schools  (tie)

$50,838 per year (full-time) TUITION AND FEES (MASTER'S)

$2,119 per credit (part-time) TUITION AND FEES (MASTER'S)

659 ENROLLMENT (FULL-TIME)

The Case School of Engineering at Case Western Reserve University (Case) has a rolling application deadline. The... Read More »

$50,838 per year (full-time)

$2,119 per credit (part-time)

chemical engineering phd jobs usa

Clarkson University (Coulter)

Potsdam , NY

  • # 168 in Best Engineering Schools  (tie)

198 ENROLLMENT (FULL-TIME)

The Wallace H. Coulter School of Engineering at Clarkson University (Coulter) has a rolling application deadline. The... Read More »

chemical engineering phd jobs usa

Clemson University

Clemson , SC

  • # 77 in Best Engineering Schools  (tie)

$10,858 per year (in-state, full-time) TUITION AND FEES (MASTER'S)

$22,566 per year (out-of-state, full-time) TUITION AND FEES (MASTER'S)

1,339 ENROLLMENT (FULL-TIME)

The College of Engineering, Computing and Applied Sciences at Clemson University has a rolling application deadline... Read More »

$10,858 per year (in-state, full-time)

$22,566 per year (out-of-state, full-time)

chemical engineering phd jobs usa

Cleveland State University (Washkewicz)

  • # 183-202 in Best Engineering Schools

$590 per credit (in-state, full-time) TUITION AND FEES (MASTER'S)

$1,011 per credit (out-of-state, full-time) TUITION AND FEES (MASTER'S)

960 ENROLLMENT (FULL-TIME)

The Washkewicz College of Engineering at Cleveland State University (Washkewicz) has a rolling application deadline... Read More »

$590 per credit (in-state, full-time)

$1,011 per credit (out-of-state, full-time)

  • Career Advice
  • Study Advice
  • Study Abroad
  • Work Abroad
  • Recruiter Advice
  • Assistant Professor / Lecturer
  • PhD Candidate
  • Senior Researcher / Group Leader
  • Researcher / Analyst
  • Research Assistant / Technician
  • Administration
  • Executive / Senior Industry Position
  • Mid-Level Industry Position
  • Junior Industry Position
  • Graduate / Traineeship
  • Practitioner / Consultant
  • Summer Schools
  • Online Courses
  • Professional Training
  • Supplementary Courses
  • All Courses
  • PhD Programs
  • Master's Programs
  • MBA Programs
  • Bachelor's Programs
  • All Programs
  • Fellowships
  • Postgraduate Scholarships
  • Undergraduate Scholarships
  • Prizes & Contests
  • Financial Aid
  • Research/Project Funding
  • Other Funding
  • All Scholarships
  • Conferences
  • Exhibitions / Fairs
  • University / College
  • Graduate / Business School
  • Research Institute
  • Bank / Central Bank
  • Private Company / Industry
  • Consulting / Legal Firm
  • Association / NGO
  • All Institutions

All Categories

  • Biomedical Engineering
  • Aerospace Engineering
  • Automotive Engineering
  • Architectual Engineering
  • Chemical Engineering
  • Civil Engineering
  • Construction Engineering
  • Electrical & Electronics Engineering
  • Engineering Design
  • Environmental & Energy Engineering
  • Geo & Agricultural Engineering
  • Industrial Engineering
  • Manufacturing Engineering
  • Materials & Metallurgical Engineering
  • Mechanical Engineering
  • Mechatronics & Robotics
  • Mining & Minerals Engineering
  • Process & Logistics Engineering
  • Project Engineering
  • Quality Engineering
  • Safety & Systems Engineering
  • Structural Engineering
  • Engineering & Business
  • General Engineering

All Disciplines

Home

  • Scholarships
  • Institutions
  • All 📖 Handbook

chemical engineering phd jobs usa

Best Jobs for Chemical Engineering Graduates

Read a summary or generate practice questions using the INOMICS AI tool

If you have a chemical engineering degree, count yourself lucky: you have many career options available to you. So many, in fact, it can be hard to know which to pick! Chemical engineering graduates are needed in a wide variety of industries, from oil and gas to food processing to pharmaceuticals. This list goes through some of your options, including what you can do and how much you can earn. Salaries are accurate as of February 2021.

Browse our Chemical Engineering Job listings

" "

1. Mining Engineer

Although many people think that mining engineering is only for geological engineers, there are actually plenty of opportunities for chemical engineers in the industry too. The expertise that chemical engineering graduates have is needed to manage and optimize processes, equipment, and product quality, such as when raw ore is broken into smaller pieces during the milling process. Mining engineers usually go into mines a lot instead of staying in the office, so as a mining engineer, you might even go underground! Certainly not for those with claustrophobia.

Mining engineers in the United States earn an average of $91,160 per year, with a projected job growth rate of 4%. 

2. Food Engineer

Soda, canned tuna, potato chips, and frozen pizza - what do they all have in common? Food engineers had some role in producing them! Because of their training in chemistry and  processing, chemical engineering graduates fit right into this exciting field.

Food engineers work to process, produce, store, and distribute foods that you eat every day. They may work to design a food production line so that more food can be produced at a lower cost. They may help to refine the production process so that a food’s taste or texture changes. And sometimes they are tasked with making sure that food is properly packaged and that food quality is up to par. So, yes, there is a lot that a food engineer may be responsible for! Many food engineers use knowledge taken directly from chemical engineering curriculum to do their work, making chemical engineering graduates ideal candidates for this role. 

In the United States, food engineers earn an average of $98,824 per year. 

3. Petroleum Engineer

There are many roles where a chemical engineering graduate could fit in as a petroleum engineer at an oil and gas company, including production engineer, reservoir engineer, or project engineer. Many chemical engineering students receive training that would prepare them specifically for many aspects of these roles. Production engineers are responsible for optimizing oil and gas production so that the most profit can be earned while cutting operations and maintenance costs. Reservoir engineers evaluate oil and gas reservoirs to determine their financial viability. Setting up and designing projects that help produce or refine oil and gas, including pipelines, tanks, and other pressure vessels, is taken care of by project engineers.

In the United States, petroleum engineers make a whopping $137,720 per year on average. Job growth is expected to be 3% from 2019 to 2029.

4. Pharmaceutical Engineer

With a growing, aging population and new ailments always popping up, the pharmaceutical industry is never short of work. As a pharmaceutical engineer, you might be tasked with conceiving pharmaceuticals, designing or scaling up production processes, or manufacturing, labelling, and packing pharmaceuticals. This career path is best suited to those who are especially interested in biochemistry, manufacturing, and research and development. There is a lot of opportunity for a chemical engineering graduate to become a pharmaceutical engineer! 

In the United States, the average pharmaceutical engineer earns $81,734 per year, and job growth is projected to be 8% from 2018 to 2028, with 23,800 job opportunities being created in that time.

5. Consulting Engineer

Many organizations have engineering problems, and often they don’t have the knowledge in-house to take care of them. That’s where consulting engineers come in. Consulting engineers work in all kinds of industries, but as a chemical engineering graduate you are more likely to work with a consulting engineering company that specializes in projects related to - surprise, surprise - chemical engineering, such as oil and gas or mining.

As a consulting engineer, you will be responsible for providing solutions for technical problems and, in some cases, to meet regulatory requirements. You might be designing, supervising, or inspecting engineering work, providing technical assistance, or completing environmental impact studies. Consulting engineering will appeal to those who want to solve technical problems while having some variety in their work. Consulting engineers in the United States earn an average of $93,532 per year.

This career is expected to grow 4% between 2018 and 2028 and produce 12,800 job opportunities across the United States.

6. Process Engineer

Process engineers are responsible for maximizing output and minimizing waste in a process. Since chemical engineering graduates are trained to do this, process engineering roles are perfect for them.

A process engineer looks at a process to see where there are inefficiencies that can be fixed. Doubling back in a process or waste that is not recycled back into a process are examples of inefficiencies. A process engineer would redesign the process or change its parameters to make the process as efficient and cost-effective as possible. This could mean changing equipment, switching up the order of the process, or even completely redesigning the process.

Process engineers in the United States earn an average of $108,770 per year, and have an expected job growth of 4% between 2019 and 2029.

7. Water Treatment Engineer

Water is one of the planet’s most important resources. Besides being used for drinking, water is used in agriculture, manufacturing, and thousands of other industries. As such, it needs to be protected and managed now so that it can be enjoyed by future generations. Water that people use for drinking can come from a contaminated reservoir, requiring treatment before it can be consumed. Contaminated water produced by the resource extraction industries needs to be dealt with before it can be disposed of. The list goes on. 

Chemical engineering graduates fit perfectly in the water treatment industry. While studying chemical engineering, they may receive training in process engineering, biochemistry, and waste treatment, all of which are in demand in the water treatment industry. They work with communities, governments, and private organizations to design and maintain systems that will meet their specific water treatment needs.

American water treatment engineers earn an average of $88,771 per year.

8. Production Engineer

Many production processes have a lot of moving parts, and when something goes wrong, the process can grind to a halt. Production engineers are responsible for monitoring equipment and production processes, and troubleshooting any problems that may come up. . Much like process engineers, they may also work to find ways to improve and optimize processes.

Chemical engineering graduates are well suited to production engineering because, as part of any chemical engineering degree, students must intimately know the ins and outs of a process, how to design equipment, how to improve a process, and how to solve problems. Production engineers often work under pressure, because the longer a process is shut down, the more money is lost. It can be a stressful job when things go wrong, but it’s very rewarding when you keep your processes running smoothly!

In the United States, production engineers earn an average of $88,020 per year. Their job outlook is good, as there is an expected job growth of 10% in their field between 2019 and 2029.

There are so many different opportunities for chemical engineering graduates in such a wide range of industries that you can make your career (almost) anything you want! While each role will present unique challenges and requirements to overcome, no matter what role you choose, as a chemical engineering graduate you will have an extremely rewarding career.

  • production engineer
  • pharmaceutical engineer
  • food engineer
  • consulting engineer
  • Matthew Taylor
  • petroleum engineer
  • process engineer
  • chemical engineering

Related Items

Engineer for beam-impacted devices (sy-sti-tcd-2024-1-grap), services technical engineer for the atlas detector (ep-ado-po-2024-19-ld), operations engineer for cooling and ventilation systems (en-cv-lhc-2024-29-ld), featured announcements, master of science in marine engineering, bachelor of science and associate of science in construction…, phd in aerospace engineering, phd in mechanical engineering and industrial organization, audio engineering & production/dj arts program, inomics ai tools.

The INOMICS AI can generate an article summary or practice questions related to the content of this article. Try it now!

An error occured

Please try again later.

3 Practical questions, generated by our AI model

For more questions on economics study topics, with practice quizzes and detailed answer explanations, check out the INOMICS Study Guides.

Login to your account

Email Address

Forgot your password? Click here.

  • Skip to main menu
  • Skip to user menu

What Does A Chemical Engineer Do?

  • Finding a job
  • Career guides

‘Is chemical engineering a good career path?’ you may wonder after hearing all about how the field  is gaining significant traction. It is one of the few degree programmes seeing more and more applicants, while other courses are becoming less popular. 

If you are enamoured with the wonders of science and hope to work in a high-tech environment ,  chemical engineering may well be worth putting on your radar. This article will outline a career in chemical engineering , how to become a chemical engineer, what it takes and what it pays.

What is chemical engineering?

Chemical engineering involves designing innovative industrial processes to transform raw materials into useful everyday products in a safe, environmentally-friendly and cost-effective manner. 

By applying principles from maths , physics , chemistry and biology , chemical engineering allows us to alter the biochemical and physical state of, for instance, oil to manufacture petrol, plastic and synthetic fibres. As such, their expertise makes chemical engineers highly employable in virtually any imaginable sector, including:

  • Pharmaceuticals
  • Fashion and cosmetics
  • Electronics
  • Food processing
  • Petrochemicals
  • Construction
  • Plastics and polymer manufacturers
  • Water treatment industry
  • Environmental health and safety industry

As the field of chemical engineering continues to evolve, efforts are being directed towards creating and developing novel techniques to build a more sustainable world, ultimately achieving net zero and meeting the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals.

What does a chemical engineer do?

Different sectors will equip chemical engineers with unique skills for specific tasks. In the water industry, you will be developing ways to decontaminate water and wastewater while managing and operating treatment plants and distribution networks. 

Food processing will require application of heat transfer, fluid mechanics as well as microbiology to manufacture foods safe for consumption.

Nonetheless, chemical engineers’ core duties are largely the same and can include: 

  • Evaluating a new chemical process to develop products in the lab 
  • Finding the safest and most cost-effective production methods
  • Translating lab results to pilot production and then large-scale manufacturing
  • Designing systems to deal with by-products and waste materials
  • Liaising with plant designers to create production equipment and instruments
  • Monitoring production and troubleshooting
  • Working closely with quality control and health and safety managers

Furthermore, you may wish to become a specific type of chemical engineer. Process engineering is one career path many people take after graduating. This involves the application of chemical engineering principles to optimise the design, operation and control of chemical processes. 

In the energy industry, for example, you will design, procure or operate energy infrastructure. You may consult various companies on supplying their energy products and predict future requirements. Others may opt for biochemical engineering ,  which translates new scientific breakthroughs into cost-effective and environmentally-friendly ways to create products ranging from new medicines to renewable energy. 

Biochemical engineers tackle many global challenges such as the development of flu vaccines, stem cell therapies to restore vision  and algae-based biofuels to provide more sustainable energy sources.

Regardless of your field, you will always be part of a multidisciplinary team consisting of mechanical, electrical and various other types of engineers working towards the same goal. Knowledge of project management and economic principles often land chemical engineers in managerial and leadership roles; often they also end up working in the finance sector.

What are their required skills?

A deep understanding of concepts in maths, physics and chemistry, and how they can be applied to real-world problems is paramount. Chemical engineers are at the forefront of innovation, constantly facing new, unique challenges; this necessitates excellent problem-solving, analytical and design skills. 

Transferable skills such as project management, commercial awareness, leadership and communication skills will play a critical part once you start taking on larger-scale tasks and deal with clients for your services. You may find yourself working in hazardous environments, such as a lab with dangerous chemicals or a production plant, which will require immense attention to detail. 

Often you will be under pressure to hit certain deadlines, but you will need to stay focused and work well under stress. Lastly, you will be working with a number of advanced software packages and technologies, so you must possess good IT skills.

Educational routes

The typical route to becoming a chemical engineer is completing a degree in chemical engineering, process engineering or biochemical engineering; a less common path is to complete an apprenticeship. Usual entry requirements for university courses are four or five GCSEs at grades 9 to 4, including English, maths and science, as well as two or three A levels, including chemistry. 

A bachelor’s degree (BEng/BE/BSc) is usually completed in three to four years and provides you with a solid foundation in the core concepts in chemical engineering. Degree programmes vary across universities, with some offering modules such as biotechnology, project management and even a foreign language. 

Alternatively, you can do an undergraduate master’s degree (MEng/ME) which is a year longer and provides you with advanced knowledge and skills; you may also complete a shorter postgraduate master’s programme after a bachelor’s degree instead, depending on preference. Many universities additionally offer a year in industry to provide you with work experience which will help build your CV. 

Several universities – such as Cambridge, Edinburgh and University College London – are accredited by the Institute of Chemical Engineers (IChemE). Accreditation guarantees the programme is up to internationally recognised standards and allows professional registration with the Engineering Council. 

Once registered, you will achieve chartered membership status. Note, a chartered chemical engineer will always have completed a degree at master’s level. 

Although there is a high demand  for chemical engineers worldwide, you will need to stand out as a competitive candidate to land the best jobs. If you want to ensure the best career prospects, aim to undertake as much research or industrial experience as possible; becoming a chartered chemical engineer will further enhance your chances of working at the most renowned companies.

In the United States, the career pathway is largely the same, however, your qualifications must be accredited by the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET) for most posts. State licensure requires ABET-accreditation, passing the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) exam, several years of work experience and passing the Professional Engineer (PE) exam.

Salary information

Although your pay depends on your location, sector, company, job role and seniority, the average salary for a chemical engineer is estimated to be £30,000 to £65,000 a year in the UK. Chartered status can further enhance your income by up to £20,000. According to the UK Salary Survey 2018 by the IChemE, oil refining offers the highest starting salary at £40,900.

The highest paying sectors overall are finance (£90,000), contracting (£81,000) and fuel cells technology (£80,000). In the US, the average salary according to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics is $117,820, ranging from $72,490 to $171,400. Again, professional certification generally increases your salary.

Chemical engineering is an incredibly vast and ever-growing field in the modern world. With increasing reliance on manufactured products and efforts to develop more sustainable ways to utilise finite resources, chemical engineers are in great demand. 

If you are someone who wants to work at the interface of science, technology and business, all while helping to build a better world, chemical engineering may be just the career  for you.

  • Institute of Chemical Engineers. What is chemical engineering? - whynotchemeng  - IChemE [Internet]. IChemE. Available from: https://www.icheme.org/education-career/whynotchemeng/ 
  • UCAS. Chemical engineering [Internet]. UCAS. 2023. Available from: https://www.ucas.com/explore/subjects/chemical-engineering
  • Career profiles [Internet]. Bright Network. Available from: https://www.brightnetwork.co.uk/career-profiles/chemical-engineer/
  • Blenkinsop L. Using your degree: Chemical Engineering [Internet]. Careers Service. Available from: https://www.careers.cam.ac.uk/using-your-degree/using-your-degree-chemical-engineering
  • Institute of Chemical Engineers. Career - Salary survey report  - IChemE [Internet]. IChemE. Available from: https://www.icheme.org/education-career/salary-survey/salary-survey-report/
  • Chemical Engineers: Occupational Outlook Handbook:   US Bureau of Labor Statistics [Internet]. 2023. Available from: https://www.bls.gov/ooh/architecture-and-engineering/chemical-engineers.htm#tab-1

Share this article

Related articles

chemical engineering phd jobs usa

Scientists vs engineers - Differences, Similarities & Career Routes

chemical engineering phd jobs usa

Best universities for forensic science in the UK: A New Scientist Careers Guide

chemical engineering phd jobs usa

Best Universities For Science in the UK: A New Scientist Careers Guide

Latest articles.

GATE Cut Off 2024, Check Brach Wise and Category wise Cut Off_00.1

Engineering Jobs

GATE Cut Off 2024, Check Brach Wise and Category wise Cut Off

Gate Cut Off 2024 will be release by the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) Bengaluru on its official website @gate2024.iisc.ac.in. Download Category-wise Gate Cutoff 2024 through this article.

GATE Cut Off 2024, Check Brach Wise and Category wise Cut Off_20.1

Table of Contents

GATE Cut Off Marks 2024

The GATE Authority will release the category-wise GATE 2024 qualifying marks for the various branches of engineering. The aspirants clearing the qualifying marks can download the gate scorecard from 23 March 2024. The qualifying marks released by IISc Bangalore are the minimum qualifying marks that the aspirant should necessarily obtain. The Category-wise GATE 2024 qualifying marks are given in the table below.

GATE Cut Off 2024-Overview

The Indian Institute of Science (IISc) Bengaluru will announce the GATE 2024 Qualifying Marks on its official website along with the GATE Exam Result. The aspirants should know the following key information related to GATE Cutoff 2024.

GATE Cut Off 2024 Category Wise

Indian Institute of Science (IISc) Bengaluru will release the GATE Cutoff 2024 on its official website @gate2024.iisc.ac.in. The GATE Exam concluded on 3, 4,10, & 11 February 2024 for the 30 branches of Engineering. Aspirants can check the GATE Cutoff 2024 Category-wise through the table given below for the various branches of Engineering.

How to download GATE Cut Off 2024?

The aspirants can download the GATE Cut Off 2024 by following the steps given below:

  • Visit the official site of GATE 2024 at gate2024.iisc.ac.in
  • Click on the GATE Cut Off 2024 from the home page.
  • Download the branch-wise GATE 2024 Cut-Off Marks.
  • Save the document in PDF format for future reference.

Previous Year GATE Cut-Off Trends

Gate cut off 2023.

The category-wise GATE Cut Off 2023 has been tabulated below for all the branches:

GATE Cut Off 2022

The category-wise GATE Cut Off 2022 has been tabulated below for all the branches:

GATE Cut Off 2021

The category-wise GATE Cut Off 2021 has been tabulated below for all the branches:

Sharing is caring!

How to Check GATE Result 2024?

The candidates can check their GATE Cut Off 2024 by following the link given in the article.

The candidates can download the Branch Wise and Category Wise GATE Cut Off 2024 through this article.

How GATE Score is converted to 1000?

GATE Score is converted to 1000 by following a certain formula.

RRB JE Cut Off 2024

Leave a comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

Imp. Engineering job Exams

  • UPSC ESE 2024
  • SSC JE 2024
  • RRB JE 2024
  • ISRO Recruitment 2024

SSC JE Civil 2024

Recent Posts

Important exams.

  • Notification
  • Mechanical Syllabus
  • Civil Syllabus
  • Electrical Syllabus
  • Eligibility Criteria
  • Previous Year Papers

PSU THROUGH GATE

  • All PSU'S through GATE

Our Other Websites

  • Teachers Adda
  • Bankers Adda
  • Adda Malayalam
  • Adda Punjab
  • Current Affairs
  • Defence Adda
  • Adda Bengali
  • Engineers Adda
  • Adda Marathi
  • Adda School

GATE Cut Off 2024, Check Brach Wise and Category wise Cut Off_30.1

Engineering Jobs: Adda247 Engineering Jobs is India’s most authentic and trusted website for free job alerts, resources for engineering government job preparation, and the latest information about important government jobs for engineers.

Download Adda247 App

GATE Cut Off 2024, Check Brach Wise and Category wise Cut Off_40.1

Follow us on

youtube

  • Responsible Disclosure Program
  • Cancellation & Refunds
  • Terms & Conditions
  • Privacy Policy

IMAGES

  1. Chemical Engineering (PhD)

    chemical engineering phd jobs usa

  2. The Top 15 jobs highest-paying jobs in chemical engineering

    chemical engineering phd jobs usa

  3. Chemical Engineering

    chemical engineering phd jobs usa

  4. Chemical Engineering PhD

    chemical engineering phd jobs usa

  5. Chemical Engineer Job Profile and Career Information

    chemical engineering phd jobs usa

  6. Chemical engineering jobs

    chemical engineering phd jobs usa

COMMENTS

  1. PhD Chemical Engineering Jobs, Employment

    Postdoctoral Associate, Chemical and Biological Engineering. University at Buffalo. Buffalo, NY 14260. $42,000 - $45,000 a year. Monday to Friday. The candidate is expected to have received a Ph.D. in either chemical engineering, chemistry, materials science, or other related fields. Posted 2 days ago ·.

  2. 7,000+ Phd Chemical Engineering Jobs in United States (331 new)

    Today's top 7,000+ Phd Chemical Engineering jobs in United States. Leverage your professional network, and get hired. New Phd Chemical Engineering jobs added daily.

  3. 1,190 Phd in chemical engineering jobs in United States

    Degree in polymer/composite processing, material science/engineering, chemical engineering, or mechanical engineering or very closely related: MS minimum with at least 10 years experience. PhD with 5 years experience. Preferred Qualifications: Experience in polymer/composite development

  4. 3,000+ Chemical Engineering Phd Jobs in United States (130 new)

    Today's top 3,000+ Chemical Engineering Phd jobs in United States. Leverage your professional network, and get hired. New Chemical Engineering Phd jobs added daily.

  5. 865 Chemical engineering phd jobs in United States

    The top companies hiring now for chemical engineering phd jobs in United States are Hanwha Azdel Inc, Poly-Med, Inc., Resodyn Corporation, BYK USA Inc., Acuity Environmental Solutions, Mayo Clinic, American Lithium Energy Corporation, MetroLaser, Inc., KeyLogic Systems, Phoenix Tailings

  6. 4,806 Chemical engineer phd jobs in United States

    The top companies hiring now for chemical engineer phd jobs in United States are Idaho Asphalt Supply, Louis Dreyfus Company, The Stebbins Engineering & Manufacturing Company, Dynotec, Inc., Titan America, King Industries, Inc., eMagin Corporation, Amalgamated Sugar Company, Essential Industries, Global Tungsten & Powders

  7. Chemical Engineer PhD jobs

    Chemical Engineer PhD jobs. Sort by: relevance - date. 6,086 jobs. Reliability Sales Engineer. Flexaseal Engineered Seals and Systems, LLC 3.9. Hybrid remote in Rochester, NY 14623. ... FillTech USA 1.8. Rockwell, NC 28138. Pay information not provided. Full-time. Monday to Friday +1. Easily apply:

  8. chemical engineering & phd jobs

    PhD Degree program options include Mechanical Engineering or Materials Science and Engineering. There are 3 positions, each with a different focus: 1) Hydrogen interactions with multi-principal element alloys; 2) strength, friction, and wear of materials in the hydrogen environment and 3) multi-scale modeling of hydrogen-material interactions.

  9. Chemical Engineering PhD jobs in the USA

    Chemical Engineering PhD jobs in the USA All New Filter 707 jobs Create alert All New Engineering Manager, New Product Development Save. G&W Electric. Woodridge, IL P Innovating since 1905, G&W Electric has grown into a global leader in engineered electrical power grid solutions. ...

  10. PhD programmes in Chemical Engineering in United States

    The Chemical Engineering PhD program from Mississippi State University school cooperates in an interdisciplinary program leading to the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Engineering with a concentration in Chemical Engineering. Ph.D. / Full-time / On Campus. Mississippi State UniversityStarkville, Mississippi, United States.

  11. 35 PhD jobs in Chemical Engineering

    A vacancy is available for a PhD student in the field of alkaline water electrolysis within the group Sustainable Process Engineering at the Department of Chemical Engineering and Chemistry, Eindhoven University of Technology (TU/e), The Netherlan... Published 2 days ago. Closing in: 2024-03-24.

  12. PhD Program

    PhD Program. The PhD in Chemical Engineering at UIC develops students into researchers in their own right. Doctoral students work alongside faculty mentors to conduct investigations in their labs, and they also may have the opportunity to develop classroom skills as teaching assistants. Our doctoral programs produce top-tier candidates for high-level industry jobs, postdoctoral research ...

  13. PhD Admissions

    PhD Application Timeline & Deadline. The Department of Chemical Engineering accepts applications to our graduate programs once per year for Autumn quarter entry only. The application deadline for Autumn 2024 entry is December 1, 2023, at 11:59pm (PST). All applications completed and received by this date will receive full consideration.

  14. PhD Chemical Engineering Jobs, Employment

    485 PhD Chemical Engineering jobs available on Indeed.com. Apply to R&D Engineer, Research Scientist, Associate Professor and more!

  15. 4,081 Phd chemical engineer jobs in United States

    Search Phd chemical engineer jobs. Get the right Phd chemical engineer job with company ratings & salaries. 4,081 open jobs for Phd chemical engineer.

  16. PhD in Chemical Engineering

    The chemical engineering PhD program from Drexel Engineering will engage you in learning and research at the forefront of chemical engineering, biochemical engineering, energy, environment, and sustainability, processing and polymer science. As a graduate you will be prepared for a career in academia, industry or at national or federal research ...

  17. PhD in Chemical Engineering

    Chemical Engineering (PhD) Required Degree: Bachelor's Degree from an accredited college or university in the United States or have proof of equivalent training at a foreign institution.: Minimum GPA: 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale) Departments may consider GPA of last 60 semester credit hours Coursework: 18 credit hours in an area related to this graduate degree and at least 12 hours must be at the ...

  18. 78,000+ Phd jobs in United States (2,381 new)

    Work From Home Phd jobs. Science Department Chair jobs. Engineer Phd jobs. More searches. Today's top 73,000+ Phd jobs in United States. Leverage your professional network, and get hired. New ...

  19. Best Chemical Engineering Programs

    Here are the Best Chemical Engineering Programs. Massachusetts Institute of Technology. California Institute of Technology. Stanford University. University of California, Berkeley. Georgia ...

  20. 910 Chemical engineering phd candidate jobs in United States

    910 Chemical engineering phd candidate jobs in United States. Most relevant. Blue Nalu, Inc. Senior Process Development Engineer, Pilot Operations. San Diego, CA. $140K - $155K (Employer est.) Easy Apply. Hands-on experience and mechanical aptitude for troubleshooting and maintaining bioreactor hardware and SCADA systems including defining and ...

  21. chemical engineer phd jobs

    Interfacing with other unit process engineers, operations, and integration engineers during the design and execution of process/equipment improvement projects. 738 Chemical Engineer PhD jobs available on Indeed.com. Apply to Bioprocess Engineer, Chemical Engineer, R&D Engineer and more!

  22. Best Jobs for Chemical Engineering Graduates

    There is a lot of opportunity for a chemical engineering graduate to become a pharmaceutical engineer! In the United States, the average pharmaceutical engineer earns $81,734 per year, and job growth is projected to be 8% from 2018 to 2028, with 23,800 job opportunities being created in that time. 5. Consulting Engineer.

  23. What Does A Chemical Engineer Do?

    Although your pay depends on your location, sector, company, job role and seniority, the average salary for a chemical engineer is estimated to be £30,000 to £65,000 a year in the UK.

  24. GATE Cut Off 2024, Check Brach Wise and Category wise Cut Off

    Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering: Category: Engineering Jobs: GATE 2024 Exam Date: 3, 4,10, & 11 February 2024: ... Chemical Engineering: CH ... Adda247 Engineering Jobs is India's most authentic and trusted website for free job alerts, ...

  25. New Graduate Chemical Engineer jobs

    Manufacturing Engineer- Line Leader. New. Procter & Gamble 4.1. Green Bay, WI 54311. $85,000 - $115,000 a year. Full-time. Responsible for ensuring and sustaining the operational safety, product quality and records accuracy for the line. Have a BS/MS degree in engineering. Active 4 days ago.