The Department of Environmental Engineering and Earth Sciences at Clemson University invites applications for a Graduate Research Assistant (GRA) position to pursue Ph.D. studies in Biosystems Engineering starting Fall 2025 or Spring 2026. The selected candidate will work on projects related to bioprocessing, waste valorization, circular bioeconomy, and sustainability assessment. The Ph.D. student will engage in both experimental research and computational modeling/analysis to develop sustainable bio-based products and systems. The GRA is expected to publish research findings in international peer-reviewed journals, present research findings in conferences/meetings, and generate regular project update reports.
Qualifications:
Educational Background:
- M.S. degree in Biosystems, Environmental, Agricultural, Mechanical, or Chemical Engineering, Environmental Sciences, or a related field.
- Exceptional candidates with a B.S. degree in these disciplines and a strong interest in pursuing a Ph.D. will also be considered.
Preferred Skills and Experience:
- Hands-on lab research experience in biomass processing, waste upcycling, bioenergy, or bioproduct development.
- Strong interest in integrating experimental research with analytical modeling for sustainable bio-based systems.
- Familiarity with agricultural or biobased systems is a plus.
- Experience with these tools is highly desirable:
- Process modeling and techno-economic analysis (e.g., SuperPro Designer)
- Life cycle assessment (e.g., openLCA)
- Spatial analysis (e.g., ArcGIS)
- Programming (e.g., Python)
- Strong oral and written communication skills.
- Previous research publication experience is a plus.
Salary and Benefits:
The position includes financial support covering tuition and a competitive stipend.
To apply:
Interested candidates should send an e-mail (Titled: Application for GRA position) to Dr. Ashish Manandhar (apply.amanandhar@gmail.com) with a cover letter indicating your related experiences, technical skills, research background and interests; academic transcripts (unofficial copy at this point); GRE scores (if available); English language proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL, IELTS) scores (if available); and a CV including contact information for 3 references. Application review will begin immediately, and the position will remain open until a suitable candidate is identified.