Open Positions

We are looking for motivated students at all levels!

Click on the type of position you are interested in for details on how to apply.

  • If you're an undergraduate or masters student at USC and are interested in conducting research with our group, contact Prof. Villalobos. In your email, please include the following:

    • Your CV

    • A brief overview of your research background and interests

    • Reference to a scholarly paper (not authored by our group) that you have found engaging, along with a brief explanation of 3-6 sentences detailing why

    In order to gain a meaningful research experience, students are expected to commit to at least one full academic year in the lab (including the summer term)

  • Submit your application to the PhD program via our Department website. The deadline for applications is mid-December, and successful applicants will commence their program in the following Fall Semester.

    Please note that accepted students are matched with a professor at the very beginning of their PhD journey, as our program does not operate on a rotation basis. Therefore, if you are specifically interested in joining the Villalobos Research Group, reach out directly at lf.villalobos@usc.edu with your detailed CV and a brief description of your research background and interests.

    In our group, graduate students pursue their degrees in either Materials Science or Chemical Engineering. We look forward to hearing from prospective students who are passionate about engineering materials for advanced separations!

  • At the moment, we do not have specific opportunities open. However, our funding situation is dynamic and changes frequently. We therefore invite prospective scholars, especially those with a background in Chemical Engineering, Materials Science, Chemistry, and related fields, to get in touch with Prof. Villalobos. When reaching out, please include the following details:

    • A one-page cover letter explaining your research interests and articulating your reasons for wanting to join our group

    • Your CV, inclusive of a list of your publications

    • The contact information for a minimum of two references

    Your proactive interest and initiative could potentially align with our evolving opportunities and needs. We look forward to hearing from you.

PhD Student Funding Opportunities

Graduate students are encouraged to apply for external fellowships, such as those available from the National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship Program (permanent residents, citizens, or nationals of the United States), the National Defense Science and Engineering Graduate Fellowship Program (citizens or nationals of the United States), the Roberto Rocca Fellowship (citizens of Argentina, Brazil, Uruguay, Colombia, Indonesia, Saudi Arabia, Mexico and Romania), the Quad Fellowship (citizens or legal permanent residents of Australia, India, Japan, or the United States), the Funai Fellowship (citizens of Japan), the Taiwan-USC scholarship and Taiwan’s GSSA (citizens of Taiwan; announced here in Nov and Jan, respectively), the National Water Research Institute Fellowship Program (anyone enrolled in a United States-based graduate program), etc.

External funding opportunities for existing and prospective group members

Postdoctoral Scholar Funding Opportunities

We encourage and support applicants to join the group through programs like USC’s Postdoctoral Fellowships for Sustainability Solutions (open to anyone who obtained a doctoral degree within the previous five years), USC’s Provost’s Postdoctoral Scholars Program for Faculty Diversity (PhD must come from an institution other than USC), SNSF Postdoc.Mobility (citizens of Switzerland and scientists that have spent 2+ years doing research in Switzerland), Ministry of Science and Technology Overseas Project for Post Graduate Research (citizens of Taiwan, announced around June-July every year here), etc.