Available Graduate Opportunities
SBIO offers both Masters and PhDs!
Currently Available Assistantships
Ph.D. Assistantship
Bio-Inspired Design of Biodegradable Polyethylene-Like Plastics
Start Date: August, 2026
Faculty Member: Dr. Jonathan Coote, jcoote@vt.edu
Responsibilities Include: Conduct scientific research independently and present research at scientific conferences.
Funding: This Graduate Student Assistantship will provide a $33,588 annual stipend in addition to fully covering Virginia Tech tuition.
Research Project Description: Polyethylene (PE) makes up 40% of all plastic film, most of which is unrecyclable, highlighting the need for biodegradable alternatives. A surprising natural model of biodegradable PE-like plastic film exists in Colletes bees, which build nests from a polyester chemically similar to PE but which disintegrates rapidly in the soil. This project will investigate the nest’s degradation mechanism and apply it to the design of biodegradable polyethylene-like plastics. Specific project scope will be determined based on candidate expereince and interest.
Required Qualifications:
- B.S. in Chemistry, Polymer Science, Materials Science, Chemical Engineering, or a related discipline.
- Must have been accepted into the Ph.D. program within the Department of SBIO.
- Must have completed the TOEFL and the GRE with acceptable scores, and must have a GPA of at least 3.4
Preferred Qualifications:
- Experience with scientific research and data analysis.
- Good writing, communication, and interpersonal skills.
- Experience with polymer synthesis or other wet lab chemistry.
Ph.D. Assistantship
Design of Block Polymer Additives for Improved Mixed Plastic Recycling
Start Date: August, 2026
Faculty Member: Dr. Jonathan Coote, jcoote@vt.edu
Responsibilities Include: Conduct scientific research independently and present research at scientific conferences.
Funding: This Graduate Student Assistantship will provide a $33,588 annual stipend in addition to fully covering Virginia Tech tuition.
Research Project Description: Mechanical recycling of mixed plastics is limited by the immiscibility of different polymers, which leads to brittle, phase-separated blends. Block polymers additives can compatibilize these blends by lowering interfacial tension and improving toughness, but how block polymer architecture — which can dramatically impact how the additive interacts with the blend components — governs compatibilization remains poorly understood. This project will investigate this relationship to guide the design of highly efficient compatibilizers for mixed plastic recycling.
Required Qualifications:
- B.S. in Chemistry, Polymer Science, Materials Science, Chemical Engineering, or a related discipline.
- Must have been accepted into the Ph.D. program within the Department of SBIO.
- Must have completed the TOEFL and the GRE with acceptable scores, and must have a GPA of at least 3.4
Preferred Qualifications:
- Experience with scientific research and data analysis.
- Good writing, communication, and interpersonal skills.
- Experience with polymer synthesis or other wet lab chemistry.