Graduate students seeking opportunities to take part in innovative research projects may wish to consider applying to the Illinois Materials Research Science and Engineering Center (I-MRSEC) graduate fellowship position.
I-MRSEC officials said they have funding to support one research assistantship for a student, with the chosen applicant obtaining one year of support as a research assistant and the possibility of renewal for an additional year. The person is expected to be fully involved in I-MRSEC activities, along with their faculty mentor.
Opportunities for the fellowship recipient include the chance to explore emerging research questions, work closely with the I-MRSEC community and contribute new ideas that advance the mission of the center.
“The goal of this graduate fellowship is to bring new people, new perspectives and scientific ideas into the center that are aligned with current interdisciplinary research group (IRG) research scopes,” a press release from I-MRSEC stated.
Current I-MRSEC research focuses on directing energy and information using 2D strain-scapes and photoionics — specifically, controlling ion transport and defects with light.
Submission details:
1. Project description should be 1-2 pages in length and highlight the work’s innovation, how the project would contribute to the mission of the I-MRSEC, and include promoting education, outreach, and external collaborations (including in national labs or industry).
2. CV from the student; and
3. A letter of support from the supervising PI(s), which also describes mentoring and support for the student.
Eligibility:
The student must be a current or incoming University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign graduate student in a relevant field.
To apply:
Please submit the application package as a PDF file to I-MRSEC: mrsec-info@illinois.edu by September 15, 2026.