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Chemical Engineering

Doctor of Philosophy

Delivery Options

Campus

Fall 2026 Deadline

Priority: December 15th
Domestic: July 1st
International: March 1st

Apply Now Contact Admissions Team

Department

Chemical and Biological Engineering

Why study this degree at Mines?

The Chemical Engineering doctorate program at Colorado School of Mines blends science with engineering at scale. It is where molecules become materials, reactions become processes and laboratory insight leads to real‑world impact. As industries demand higher performance, efficiency and reliability, they rely on engineers who ask deeper questions, design better systems and produce evidence that stands up to scrutiny.

A PhD in Chemical Engineering from Colorado School of Mines focuses on creating new knowledge and helping you translate it into engineered solutions across critical areas from bioengineering to renewable energy. You will develop the ability to connect fundamentals such as transport, thermodynamics and reaction kinetics to complex systems that operate at research and industrial scales.

Mines is known for applied engineering, and that focus carries into doctoral research. Your work remains grounded in measurable outcomes, rigorous methods and practical problems that matter to industry, government and research institutions. If you are motivated by discovery, driven by rigor and interested in shaping how engineered systems and processes are designed, this PhD provides the depth, credibility and research foundation to excel in this area of work.

Program Overview

The Chemical Engineering PhD is an on‑campus doctoral program housed in the Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering. It is designed for engineers who want to pursue original, research‑driven work that advances chemical and biological engineering through sustained scholarly inquiry.

This program builds on your bachelor’s degree or master’s degree by shifting your role from problem solver to problem framer. You move beyond applying established models to developing new approaches, validating them through experimentation or computation and defending your conclusions through independent research.

What you’ll study and do

Coursework provides advanced grounding in chemical and biological engineering fundamentals while remaining flexible to support your dissertation research. Depending on your focus, you may study topics such as bioengineering, catalysis and separations, conventional and renewable energy, simulation and modeling, soft materials and complex fluids. Coursework is intentionally integrated with research so what you learn directly informs your dissertation.

Independent research is the core of the PhD experience. You define a research question, design an approach to investigate it and generate results that make an original contribution to the field. Research methods may include laboratory experimentation, computational modeling, data analysis or combined approaches, guided by close collaboration with a faculty advisor and committee.

What it takes to complete the PhD at Mines

Completion of the PhD includes advanced coursework, qualifying and candidacy requirements and a defended dissertation. As an on‑campus program, the experience emphasizes active participation in research groups, seminars and collaborative projects.

You and Mines PhD: A right fit?

You are likely to succeed in this program if you:

Enjoy working on open-ended problems with no single right answer
Are motivated to connect theory with experiments or real systems
Have a strong foundation in chemical engineering, biological engineering or a closely related field

Key Program Research Groups:

Research in Chemical and Biological Engineering at Mines spans foundational science through applied process design, with strong connections to materials, biological systems, and systems‑level engineering. Doctoral research emphasizes depth, rigor, and practical relevance.

1. Transport phenomena and reaction engineering

This area examines how momentum, heat, and mass transfer interact with chemical reactions to shape system behavior. Research explores transport limits, reaction kinetics, and their influence on performance across length scales. Coursework builds advanced fundamentals, while research approaches include modeling, experimentation, and data analysis. Graduates pursue careers in process development, research and development, and advanced manufacturing.

2. Process systems engineering and optimization

Research in this area focuses on the design, control, and improvement of complex chemical processes. Topics include process modeling, optimization, and decision‑making under uncertainty. You apply computational tools and mathematical methods to evaluate tradeoffs and improve system performance. Career paths often include system design, operations strategy, and technical leadership roles.

3. Biological and biomolecular engineering

This field applies engineering principles to biological systems ranging from molecular interactions to full‑scale bioprocesses. Research may involve biological reactions, biomaterials, or bio‑based systems. Methods include laboratory experimentation, modeling, and data‑driven analysis. Graduates work in biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, and research‑focused organizations.

4. Materials synthesis and processing

Research in this area investigates how materials are designed, synthesized, and processed to achieve targeted performance. Work often focuses on structure–property relationships and the influence of processing conditions. Experimental characterization and modeling are central tools. This expertise supports careers in materials development, advanced manufacturing, and industrial research and development.

5. Interfacial and multiphase systems

Many engineered processes involve interacting fluids, solids, and gases across multiple phases. Research in this area studies interfacial phenomena and multiphase transport at different scales. Coursework reinforces transport and thermodynamics, while research methods include visualization, experimentation, and simulation. This focus supports work in areas such as reactors, separations, and complex process equipment design.

Other Options

World-Class Labs, Centers & Facilities

A man in a blue shirt is working on a machine.

The Center for Hydrate Research

The largest research center in the world dealing with hydrates, The Center for Hydrate Research addresses fundamental science and practical challenges involving clathrate hydrates and other solids in energy production, transportation and storage

A man and a woman in lab coats looking at something.

Krebs Research Group

Associate Professor Melissa Krebs develops biopolymer systems that allow the study of cells’ interactions with their microenvironment and that can be used for both tissue regeneration and therapeutics, with the end goal of improving patient therapies that are available in the clinic.

A microscope sitting on top of a table in a room.

Colorado Institute for Energy, Materials and Computational Science

CIEMACS focuses on problems at the nexus of energy, materials and scientific computing. Its shared facilities include an atomic force microscope and tools to measure and characterize thermal stability and viscoelastic properties of various materials.

Faculty Expertise

Nanette Boyle

Associate Professor-DH

David Marr

Professor

Colin Wolden

Professor-CH

Application Requirements

Bachelor's degree
GRE: Not Required
Letters of Recommendations (3 letters).
Resume or Curriculum Vitae (CV)
Statement of Purpose
Transcripts
International students please review the English proficiency requirements

Program Curriculum

View Academic Catalog

Salary Outlook

Average starting salary for recent program graduates $96,000. Learn more about Mines' comprehensive career development resources and this degree's salary potential.

Explore Mines Career Center

Employers who seek Mines graduates include

Chemical, Materials and Manufacturing Companies

Companies such as Dow, BASF, DuPont, 3M, LyondellBasell, Eastman

Biotechnology and Life Sciences

Companies such as Genentech, Amgen, Merck, Pfizer, Moderna

Engineering and Technology Firms

Companies such as Honeywell, Emerson, Siemens, ABB, Jacobs

Engineering and Consulting

Companies such as Bechtel, Jacobs, Fluor, Worley, KBR

National Laboratories and Government Research

Companies such as National Laboratory of the Rockies, Los Alamos National Laboratory, Sandia National Laboratories, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, National Institute of Standards and Technology

Mines students wearing safety gear on the construction site.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is a PhD in Chemical Engineering valuable?

A Chemical Engineering PhD prepares you to generate new knowledge and leverage it for immediate real-world applications. You develop the ability to frame research questions, design experiments or models, analyze results, and defend conclusions through independent scholarship. This level of training is critical for advanced research roles, technical leadership positions, and academic careers.

How research‑focused is the Chemical Engineering program?

Research is the core of the degree. While coursework builds advanced foundation skills, most of your time is devoted to original dissertation research that contributes new understanding to the field. This structure reflects the expectations of professional research environments.

What career paths are common for Chemical and Biological Engineering graduates?

Graduates pursue roles in industrial research and development, process and systems engineering, biotechnology, national laboratories, and academia. Common industry sectors include pharmaceuticals and biotechnology, chemical process industries such as specialty chemicals, polymers, and agriculture, energy and renewable systems including refining, batteries, and biofuels, food and consumer products, and environmental and water treatment. Many graduates also move into technical leadership and research management roles where deep engineering judgment and independent research experience are essential.

Do you need a master’s degree to apply?

A master’s degree is helpful but not always required. Successful applicants typically have strong preparation in chemical engineering, biological engineering, or a closely related discipline and are ready to pursue independent research.

How does Mines’ applied focus shape the PhD experience?

Mines emphasizes engineering research that works in practice. Doctoral research is often connected to real systems, realistic constraints, and measurable performance. This applied approach helps you build credibility and experience that immediately translates into research, industry, and government settings.

Featured Alumni

Meet Ajay Mehta ’96

Ajay Mehta works in Shell’s technology organization where he serves as the General Manager for New Energies Research & Technology. He leads a global team of over a hundred scientists and engineers dedicated to developing innovative and competitive technologies to meet the demand for more and cleaner energy. Ajay has worked at Shell for his entire career of 23 years. He has assumed a wide range of technical and leadership roles in Deepwater R&D, Production Operations, CO2 Mitigation, Project Engineering and General Management. He is a technical subject matter expert on natural gas hydrates and has served as a Distinguished Lecturer for the Society of Petroleum Engineers.

Ajay holds a BS in Chemical Engineering from the National Institute of Technology, Karnataka, India, a PhD in Chemical Engineering from the Colorado School of Mines, and an MBA from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.