Explore top MS & PhD fully funded research opportunities for Fall 2026 across USA, Switzerland, Sweden, and Europe. Includes GRA positions at University of Virginia, PhD at CSEM Switzerland, TSU Graduate Research Assistantships, Valencia Biofoundry PhD/Postdoc openings, Geotechnics PhD at Northeastern University, and PFAS isotope tracing PhD at University of Gothenburg. Application details, eligibility, deadlines, research themes, and submission emails included.
Global MS & PhD Opportunities for Fall 2026: Fully Funded International Research Positions in Environmental Science, Sustainable Electronics, SynBio, Geotechnics, PFAS Tracing & More
Global higher education, particularly in the sciences and engineering, is undergoing a period of unprecedented expansion. Research institutions in the United States, Canada, Sweden, Switzerland, and the European Union are investing heavily in graduate research to advance innovation in environmental sciences, materials engineering, geohazards, geoenvironmental engineering, synthetic biology, contaminant tracing, and sustainable electronics. As a result, Fall 2026 offers an exceptional array of fully funded MS, PhD, GRA, DR3, and postdoctoral openings across continents.
1) Graduate Research Assistantship (GRA) Opportunities — Fall 2026 | University of Virginia (UVA), Environmental Science Department
Dr. Todd Scanlon, PhD — Associate Chair & Professor at the Department of Environmental Science, University of Virginia — is recruiting MS and PhD students for Fall 2026. UVA is one of the top environmental science hubs in the United States, with pioneering work in ecological modeling, hydrology, climate systems, biogeochemistry, and environmental data analytics.
This GRA opportunity is particularly suited for students who wish to conduct interdisciplinary scientific research while receiving funding, mentorship, and access to world-class facilities.
Research Areas
While the announcement does not limit topics, typical research areas in Dr. Scanlon’s group include:
- Watershed hydrology and ecohydrology
- Climate change and land–atmosphere interactions
- Biogeochemical cycles and environmental flux analysis
- Remote sensing and environmental data-driven modeling
- Carbon and nitrogen cycle research
- Environmental monitoring techniques
Eligibility and Ideal Profile
Applicants generally require:
- A bachelor’s (for MS) or master’s degree (for PhD) in environmental science, ecology, hydrology, atmospheric science, earth sciences, civil engineering, geography, or related fields
- Strong academic record demonstrated through transcripts
- An interest in research, modeling, analytical measurements, or fieldwork
- Strong writing and communication skills
- Experience with GIS, Python, R, or environmental instrumentation is a plus
How to Apply (Deadline: December 1, 2025)
Email the following to tms2v@virginia.edu:
- CV
- Academic transcript
- Cover letter
- Writing sample
Applicants should highlight research interests, prior experience, and long-term career goals.
This opportunity offers full funding, tuition coverage, and a stipend through GRA positions, making it a highly competitive and attractive route into top-tier U.S. graduate programs.
2) PhD Student in Material Science for Sustainable Electronics | CSEM Switzerland — FERNS Doctoral Network
CSEM (Centre Suisse d’Électronique et de Microtechnique), located in Neuchâtel, Switzerland, is recruiting a PhD Student (F/M/D) specializing in Material Science for Sustainable Electronics. This role is part of the prestigious European FERNS Doctoral Network, which integrates materials engineering, sustainability, farming technologies, electronics, and hybrid manufacturing.
This is a three-year fully funded PhD designed for researchers passionate about environmentally friendly materials and next-generation flexible electronics.
Research Focus
The doctoral project (DR3) centers on the development and integration of sustainable materials into hybrid-manufactured systems, specifically targeting smart ear-tags for livestock monitoring. Key scientific domains include:
- Biodegradable and biopolymer-based substrates
- Sustainable ink formulations
- Eco-designed flexible electronic devices
- Additive manufacturing and laser structuring
- Printed sensors, antennas, and energy storage layers
- Integration of electronics for real-world agricultural monitoring
Key Responsibilities
The PhD student will:
- Conduct research on biodegradable substrates, inks, and encapsulants
- Develop additive & laser-based fabrication processes
- Characterize materials (electrical, mechanical, environmental)
- Produce prototypes of smart ear-tags
- Participate in secondments:
- Teagasc (Ireland, Month 12): livestock management practices
- Tyndall National Institute (Ireland, Month 13–22): bioplastics & sensor integration
- Disseminate research via conferences, publications, and reports
- Collaborate across Europe with engineers, scientists, and agricultural specialists
Profile Requirements
Applicants must have:
- Master’s degree in Materials Science, Chemistry, Polymer Science, Chemical Engineering, or related fields
- Strong motivation to work in sustainable electronics
- Experience in thin films, formulation, or hybrid manufacturing preferred
- Basic knowledge of characterization techniques (microscopy, spectroscopy, testing)
- Excellent English communication skills
- Ability to work interdisciplinarily
Additionally, the MSCA mobility rule applies — applicants must not have lived in Switzerland for more than 12 months in the past 3 years.
Why this PhD is Exceptional
- Cutting-edge materials research
- International collaboration across EU research labs
- Hands-on work with flexible electronics
- Integration of sustainability with engineering
- Highly competitive salary under MSCA Doctoral Network guidelines
Apply
Details and application link:
https://www.csem.ch/fr/emplois/175330/
3) Graduate Research Assistantships & Undergraduate Work-Aid Positions | Tennessee State University (TSU), USA
TSU’s Center of Excellence for Land, Water, and Resource Management is offering an impressive 15 Graduate Research Assistantships and 15 Undergraduate Work-Aid Positions. TSU’s College of Agriculture is highly active in interdisciplinary research bridging natural sciences, agriculture, ecology, AI, and environmental engineering.
Research Themes
Assistantships will support multiple high-impact research domains:
1. Natural Resources & Forest Health
- Monitoring forest disease and invasive species
- Remote sensing of vegetation health
- Soil nutrient studies
- Forest carbon sequestration
2. Precision Agriculture & Artificial Intelligence
- AI-driven crop monitoring
- Smart irrigation technologies
- Drone imagery analysis
- Data analytics for agricultural optimization
3. Ecosystem Health & Water Quality
- Water pollution tracking
- Wetland restoration studies
- Hydrological modeling
- Contaminant transport analysis
Benefits
Graduate Research Assistantships typically include:
- Full or partial tuition waiver
- Monthly stipend
- Hands-on training under leading scientists
- Publication opportunities
- Access to advanced laboratory and field equipment
How to Apply
Send:
- CV
- Research statement
Students can also apply via the QR code or TSU portal:
https://www.tnstate.edu/agriculture/centerofexcellence.aspx
This is an excellent opportunity for candidates planning careers in environmental management, precision agriculture, ecological research, or AI-integrated natural resource science.
4) PhD & Postdoc Positions in Synthetic Biology (Wet-Lab & Computational) | Valencia Biofoundry
The Valencia Biofoundry — part of one of Europe’s rapidly expanding biotechnology hubs — invites applicants for PhD and Postdoctoral roles in programmable biology aimed at shaping the sustainable bioeconomy.
These positions are ideal for researchers excited about:
- Genetic circuit design
- Metabolic engineering
- Automation and high-throughput synthesis
- Data-driven synthetic biology
- Biofoundry workflows and biomanufacturing
Available Streams
- Wet-Lab Synthetic Biology
- Computational / AI-driven SynBio
Who Should Apply
Candidates with backgrounds in:
- Systems biology
- Molecular biology
- Bioengineering
- Synthetic biology
- Computer science (for computational roles)
- Machine learning applied to biological systems
How to Apply
Send CV and motivation letter to:
pablo.carbonell@csic.es
This is one of the most promising PhD/postdoctoral opportunities for students aiming to work on frontier synthetic biology problems with real-world applications in sustainability and bioproduction.
5) Fully Funded PhD Positions in Geotechnics & Geomechanics | Northeastern University (USA)
A new tenure-track Assistant Professor joining Northeastern University’s Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering (starting July 2026) is recruiting two fully funded PhD students for Fall 2026.
Northeastern is a leader in geotechnical engineering, computational modeling, and sustainable infrastructure development.
Research Topics
Students will engage in cutting-edge geomechanics research, focusing on:
- Modeling granular flows
- Large deformation geohazards
- Localization in geomaterials
- Fracture mechanics
- Data-driven and mechanistic simulation
- Advanced laboratory testing
- Experimental geotechnics
Additionally, PhD students will utilize Northeastern’s upcoming Geotechnical and Sustainable Materials Laboratory equipped with modern testing and instrumentation systems.
Ideal Candidate Profile
- Strong background in civil engineering, geotechnical engineering, mechanical engineering, or related fields
- Experience in computational mechanics, FEM/DEM modeling, or material characterization
- Strong math and numerical modeling skills
- Publications or research experience is a plus
- Excellent communication skills
Application Procedure
Email the following to emdc@princeton.edu with subject line:
“PhD Application: [Your Last Name]”
Include:
- Research statement
- CV with GPAs, GRE, TOEFL (if applicable)
- Contact info for three academic references
- Academic transcripts
This is a rare opportunity to join a brand-new research group developing innovative tools for geohazard prediction and granular flow modeling.
6) PhD Position — PFAS Isotope Tracing in Groundwater | Earth Sciences, University of Gothenburg (Sweden)
Project Summary
The University of Gothenburg is hiring a fully funded 4-year PhD student to study PFAS contamination using stable isotope tracing, combining hydrogeochemistry, fieldwork, and analytical chemistry. Supported by the Swedish Research Council (Vetenskapsrådet), this project aims to understand PFAS sources, transport, and behavior in drinking water systems.
Research Components
Students will work on:
- Novel isotope methods to trace PFAS in groundwater
- Analytical chemistry techniques (HPLC, MS, isotope ratio analysis)
- Hydrogeological modeling
- Field sampling campaigns
- Collaboration with SLU (Sweden) and University of Waterloo (Canada)
Eligibility
- Master’s degree in analytical chemistry, environmental chemistry, hydrogeology, or related field
- Experience in laboratory & fieldwork
- Numerical modeling skills are an advantage
- Strong English proficiency
- Ability to meet both general & subject-specific doctoral eligibility criteria
Employment Details
- Full-time, 4-year PhD position
- Start date: March 1, 2026 (or by agreement)
- Physical presence required
- Employment follows Swedish doctoral student regulations
- International applicants receive relocation support
How to Apply
Applications must include:
- Cover letter
- CV
- Degree certificates & transcripts
- Master’s thesis
- References
- Any additional relevant documents
Apply via University of Gothenburg recruitment portal:
https://web103.reachmee.com/…/job_id=38833
For questions: philipp.wanner@gu.se
A Global Landscape of Fully Funded Graduate Opportunities for 2026
Fall 2026 is shaping up to be one of the most opportunity-rich admission cycles for research-oriented students. From environmental sciences to cutting-edge materials research, geotechnics, synthetic biology, PFAS tracing, and precision agriculture, global institutions are investing heavily in scientific advancement through funded graduate programs.
This guide has outlined opportunities across:
- USA (UVA, TSU, Northeastern University)
- Switzerland (CSEM)
- Sweden (University of Gothenburg)
- Europe-wide networks (FERNS, Valencia Biofoundry)
Each program offers:
- Fully funded tuition
- Monthly stipends
- Access to advanced research labs
- International collaborations
- Exceptional training for academic and industry careers
Students should prepare early, tailor their research statements, and submit high-quality applications to maximize their chances.
