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About The Program

What Is the PhD Program?

The PhD in chemical, process control or materials Engineering is a rigorous, research-driven doctoral degree built on substantial coursework, seminars, ethics training and a defended thesis. Our program culminates in a capstone of leadership and independent research, preparing you to become a top-tier expert in the field.

Why Choose This Program

Choose this program for its exceptional research breadth—spanning reaction kinetics, molecular modeling, process control and advanced metallurgy—supported by leading facilities and industry partnerships. You’ll benefit from one-on-one mentorship, interdisciplinary collaboration and a proven track record of innovation in solving complex engineering challenges.

Application Deadlines

Fall (September) Admission

  • International students: April 1
  • Canadian & Permanent Resident Students: August 15

Winter (January) Admission

  • International students: October 1
  • Canadian & Permanent Resident Students: December 1

Program Information

Degree

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Specializations

  • Chemical Engineering
  • Material Engineering
  • Process Control
Admission Requirements
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4 - 6

years

Complete the program in 4 - 6 years.

4

years of Guaranteed Funding

Canadian Citizens / Permanent Residents $25K and international students $27K

13+

research areas

Students choose from diverse interdisciplinary areas of research

Program Objectives

  • Master advanced research methods: Gain deep expertise in specialized engineering domains through advanced coursework, seminars and original research.
  • Solve real-world problems: Develop critical thinking and technical skills to tackle complex challenges in energy, materials, process optimization and sustainability.
  • Innovate for industry and academia: Advance new techniques, materials or control strategies with tangible impact.
  • Conduct independent investigations: Engage in meaningful research under expert faculty supervision, culminating in a defended thesis.
  • Collaborate across disciplines: Work within multidisciplinary teams to foster innovation and practical breakthroughs.
  • Uphold ethical research standards: Embrace ethics, professionalism and societal responsibility in all research activities.These should be bullet-point sentences:

Learning Outcomes

  1. Master specialized expertise: Master a substantial body of knowledge at the forefront of a discipline.
  2. Develop disciplinary awareness: Acknowledge the limitations of your work and the value of other disciplines.
  3. Lead advanced original research: Design and implement advanced research to generate new knowledge.
  4. Model ethical and responsible research: Uphold the highest standards of research integrity, ethics and societal responsibility, ensuring biomedical advancements benefit patients and communities globally
  5. Effective Communication: Communicate complex ideas clearly to diverse audiences.

Careers

Graduates of the thesis-based PhD are well-positioned to lead groundbreaking research in academia, government labs, or industry R&D centers. Many continue into postdoctoral roles, faculty positions, or strategic technical leadership in sectors such as energy, materials, automation, or sustainability.

  • University professor or academic researcher
  • Research and development scientist in energy, materials or process control industries
  • Senior process control engineer
  • Innovation and technology consultant
  • Government or national lab research director
  • Postdoctoral researcher in advanced engineering topics

Course Highlights

Get in Contact with the Graduate Department

For inquiries regarding admissions/applications for all graduate students

Contact Engineering Graduate Admissions: cnasgrad2@ualberta.ca

Current graduate students in all programs

Contact Harper Paranich (Graduate Programs Advisor): cmegps@ualberta.ca

Associate Dean of Graduate Students

Contact Dr. Hao Zhang: hao.zhang@ualberta.ca