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PhD Programs
At Duke Engineering, we have created a thriving, rigorous, supportive and interdisciplinary environment in which we cultivate engineering leaders
Members of our faculty are recognized leaders in areas of engineering research within the disciplines of:
- Biomedical Engineering
- Civil Engineering
- Electrical & Computer Engineering
- Environmental Engineering
- Mechanical Engineering
- Materials Science
Members of our faculty also participate in the PhD program of Duke's University Program in Materials Science and Engineering.
Our record of accomplishment includes more than 30 Duke alumni and faculty elected into the National Academy of Engineering »
Earn your engineering PhD at Duke.
Duke Cultivates Engineering Leaders
Mentorship From Day One
Our PhD students receive exceptional technical training and mentorship from our world-class faculty.
In our laboratories, PhD students become true collaborators, where they co-invent new solutions and develop entrepreneurial skills.
Visit Duke Engineering Entrepreneurship (EngEn) »
Authentic Opportunities to Learn Mentorship Through Mentoring
In preparation for your role as a research mentor, Duke Engineering actively encourages and supports efforts by its PhD students to mentor undergraduates in research work.
Our PhD students can register to serve as a mentor and post a research project to a university-wide directory of research opportunities for undergraduates: Muser.
As mentors, our PhD students build professional mentoring relationships with undergraduates, while increasing undergraduate involvement in research—one of the hallmarks of a Duke Engineering education.
Outstanding Student Support
At Duke, you'll have the advantage of programs that build your communication and other professional skills.
- Learn about our Graduate Communications and Intercultural Programs »
- Visit our professional development program, PhD Plus »
Preparation for a Great Career
About half our PhD graduates join industry—often with leading global companies. Nearly 40 percent start academic careers, many at the world's leading research institutions.
Browse Our Doctoral Programs
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Department of Biomedical Engineering
Research Areas
- Bioelectric Engineering
- Biomaterials
- Biomechanics and Mechanobiology
- Biomedical Imaging and Biophotonics
- Biomedical and Health Data Sciences
- Biomedicial Imaging and Biophotonics
- Biosensors and Bioinstrumentation
- Computational Modeling of Biological Systems
- Drug and Gene Delivery
- Immune Engineering
- Neural Engineering
- Synthetic and Systems Biology
- Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine
Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering
Research Areas
- Computational Mechanics & Scientific Computing
- Environmental Health Engineering
- Geomechanics & Geophysics for Energy and the Environment
- Hydrology & Fluid Dynamics
- Risk & Resilient Systems
Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering
Research Areas
- AI / Machine Learning
- Metamaterials
- Quantum Computing
- Nanoelectronic Materials & Devices
- Sensing & Imaging
- Trustworthy Computing
Thomas Lord Department of Mechanical Engineering and Materials Science
Research Areas
- Aerodynamics & Aeroelasticity
- Autonomous Systems
- Biomechanics & Biomaterials
- Computation & Artificial Intelligence
- Energy Systems & Materials
- Soft Matter & Nanoscale Materials
Duke University Program in Materials Science and Engineering
Research Areas
- Soft Matter and Biomaterials
- Computational Materials Science
- Metamaterials
- Energy Materials
- Electronic, Photonic and Quantum Materials
- Sustainable Materials
This university-wide degree program is uniquely multidisciplinary—and built upon Duke's strengths in materials science and engineering.
PhD students are admitted through selected Duke academic departments in engineering and the natural sciences.