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Ph.D. program

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The Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) degree is the highest academic degree awarded by any university. Students pursuing a Ph.D. in chemical engineering become independent researchers equipped to apply chemical engineering principles and advanced analytical and experimental techniques to solve open-ended research problems. The education and training prepare students for careers in academia, industry, and government research.

Ph.D. candidates

The Ph.D. program is for students who want to direct their own comprehensive research project and receive the ultimate license for a career in research in industrial, academic, or government laboratories. The Ph.D. requires four to five years of work to acquire knowledge, form a plan, do the work, persist through the ups and downs of confronting the unknown, and learn to communicate the results.

• Ph.D. program information sessions
• Ph.D. student handbook

Our Ph.D. graduates join an elite global scientific and technological club whose members have both the privilege and responsibility to peer into the future and help shape it. The Ph.D. program in chemical engineering at Carnegie Mellon also is a living space where students meet and form lifelong bonds with like-minded peers within their research group and across the program. Our program features a strong graduate student association that provides an instant welcoming community.

Ph.D. thesis

The cornerstone of a Ph.D. education is a research-based thesis. First, candidates select a research area and choose a faculty mentor called a thesis advisor. The advisor then guides the student as they develop a plan of investigation to advance the state-of-the-art in the selected research area.

By the end of the student’s thesis research, the student must have assembled an expert’s level of knowledge in the topic area and must demonstrate the ability to conduct an independent investigation. At that point, the student summarizes the knowledge generated through their research program in a doctoral thesis and presents the results to the public in an oral thesis defense. The knowledge generated is disseminated to the scientific and technological community by publishing articles in the scientific literature and through presentations at scientific and technological meetings and symposia.

During the program, candidates form a plan, execute the plan, and communicate the findings alongside peers at the highest academic level.

Program cost

All full-time Ph.D. students accepted through the normal application process receive fellowships that pay tuition, fees, and a stipend for living expenses for up to five years, as long as sufficient progress is being made toward degree completion. These awards are enough to cover all costs for the year (including summers). Students are required to pay for books and course supplies. Off-campus housing is available within walking distance of campus.

Admissions requirements

Admission decisions are based on overall academic performance, recommendation letters, and standardized test scores, if applicable. Prospective students must have completed a regular four-year undergraduate course in chemical engineering or a related discipline at a recognized university with better than a “B” average in chemical engineering courses and overall.

Learn more about the Ph.D. program’s admissions process and apply!

Have questions about our admissions process or Ph.D. program? Visit our  FAQ page .

Pursue a Ph.D. degree in chemical engineering from Carnegie Mellon University

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41 PhD jobs in Chemical Engineering

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• PhD positions in Engineering (246)

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Search results (41)

PhD position: Development of catalysts to convert CO2 into alcohols

PhD position: Development of catalysts to convert CO2 into alcoholsThe Laboratory of Energy Science and Engineering (LESE, ETH Zürich) is looking for a candidate to fill a PhD position to develop c...

Assistant department Green Chemistry and Technology (27090)

    →   Apply until 28/05/2024 (DD/MM/YYYY) 23:59 (Brussels time)    →   Faculty of Bioscience Engineering    →   Department BW24 - Green Chemistry and Technology    →   AAP temporary appointment - 100%    →   Number of openings: 1    →   Referenc...

Doctoral student with focus on combustion modelling in battery systems during thermal runaway

Lund University, Faculty of Engineering, LTH, Department of Energy SciencesLund University was founded in 1666 and is repeatedly ranked among the world’s top universities. The University has around 47 000 students and more than 8 800 staff based i...

PhD student in Bioinorganic Electrochemistry

Prof. Ross MILTONAssistant Professor [email protected] 1st 2024Reference number: 040124phdPosition: PhD studentThe above reference number must appear in the subject line or body of your email to be considered for this post. Applications by...

PhD Candidate: Materials Development for New NO2 Sensors

Employment 1.0 FTEGross monthly salary € 2,770 - € 3,539Required background Research University DegreeOrganizational unit Faculty of ScienceApplication deadline 01 May 2024Europe’s nitrogen emissions are sky high, impacting our economy and our liv...

PhD Position: Nanotechnology for Gas Sensing

PhD Position: Nanotechnology for Gas SensingThe research of the Human-​centered Sensing Laboratory centers around physics, chemistry and medicine to gain new fundamental understanding in micro/nano...

PhD Position: Molecular sensor system engineering for food applications

PhD Position: Molecular sensor system engineering for food applicationsBy 2050, the United Nations expects the world population to grow to 9.7 billion people. Considering restricted fresh water and...

MSCA-DN-FAIROmics: Multiscale Modelling for Risk-averse Optimisation and Control of Plant-based Fermented Food Production

The vision of BioTeC+ (Chemical & Biochemical Process Technology & Control) (PI Prof. Jan F.M. Van Impe) is to consolidate and strengthen both its international research position and its societal i...

Doctoral Researcher in Process Metallurgy, Faculty of Technology

The University of Oulu is one of the biggest and most multidisciplinary universities in Finland. We create new knowledge and innovations that help to solve global challenges. We offer you an intern...

PhD in Engineering of biological activated carbon (BAC) filters

Engineering of biological activated carbon (BAC) filters for micropollutants removal in tertiary wastewater treatmentMicropollutants have been identified as contaminants of concern present in municipal wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) effluent. T...

PhD in Integrated nanofiltration for greywater treatment

Integrated greywater treatment using nanofiltration for the production of reusable waterTo meet the ever-increasing anthropogenic water demand while simultaneously tackling water scarcity, new alternative sources of water need to be explored. One ...

PhD in Foam fractionation for PFAS removal

Foam Fractionation of Concentrates for the Removal of PFASConcerns about the occurrence of highly persistent organic substances, such as per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances  (PFAS), in all major water bodies used for drinking water production have...

PhD in Electro-regeneration of PFAS-laden activated carbon

Development of an on-site electrochemical regeneration method of activated carbon filters for PFAS removalPerfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a class of halogenated hydrocarbons that are widely used because of their special pr...

PhD in Brine valorization by using bipolar membranes

Brine valorization by using bipolar membranes for acid and base production and scaling preventionThis project addresses the pressing need for sustainable brine management in desalination processes. Within the Wetsus program, we aim to increase the...

PhD in Novel bipolar membranes by electrospinning

Electrospinning for production of 3D-structured bipolar membranes for water dissociation applicationsIn water technology, the demand for bipolar membranes is steadily rising. Bipolar membranes split water into protons and hydroxyl ions allowing th...

PhD in Polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA)-based colloids from wastewater

Fabrication of polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA)-based colloidal release systems for agrochemicals Leading developments and innovations with methods for biopolymer (polyhydroxyalkanoate or PHA) production and recovery, using wastewater and organic residu...

The UCAM-SENS unit and Multifunctional Molecular Materials Group at UMU are recruiting a PhD student

BackgroundIn a collaborative project between the UCAM-SENS unit and the Multifunctional Molecular Material’s Group at University of Murcia (MMM), we aim to transform HealthCare, Sports, Environmental and Food Science by the development of analytic...

PhD Position in experimental investigation of a thermochemical heat transformer for the Data Centre waste heat upgrade

Job descriptionThis position is part of a large project recently funded by the European Union’s IPCEI program. Here, the University of Twente together with academic/research organizations and indus...

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...

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...

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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]

Chemical Engineering

Engineering matter to change the world.

Chemical Engineering Graduate Program in the U.S. News & World Report Ranking (2023-2024)

Chemical Engineering Undergraduate Program in the U.S. News & World Report Ranking (2023-2024)

Michigan Engineering ranked 7th Best Engineering School by U.S. News & World Report (2023-2024)

OUR PROGRAMS

Transform matter into solutions to society’s greatest challenges from the future of medicine to powering a sustainable society. Chemical engineers are developing and implementing creative solutions that help to improve the human condition.

UNDERGRADUATE

HUMAN HEALTH

Michigan chemical engineers are developing lab-on-a-chip devices to do genetic analysis and biomolecule synthesis. We are improving drug delivery and medical imaging by studying how molecules move and distribute throughout the body.

We are driven by the challenge: how to power the modern world without polluting it. We are leaders in taking a molecular-level approach to designing distributed, sustainable systems that solve energy and environmental problems on a global scale.

MATTER BY DESIGN

We are leading a revolution in transformative material design, from atomically precise manufacturing to predictive, bio-mimicking, programmable nanomaterials. These materials, precisely designed and manufactured on demand, will impact life across the world and make the impossible, possible.

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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.

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PhD in Chemical Sciences and Chemical Engineering. Ref.: 2024-CDT-12499

Job Information

Offer description.

A position is offered within the research project "Amoniaco como vector energético: doble alternativa de descomposición a hidrógeno Proyecto," with reference TED2021-131532A-I00, with exclusive dedication (generical tasks).

Requirements

Knowledge and research experience in catalysis, electrocatalysis, synthesis, and characterization of carbon-based materials will be valued. Proficiency in advanced and accredited English will be positively considered.

Additional Information

Work location(s), where to apply.