PhD in Department of Materials Science and Engineering

Tuition comes to 7,495 USD per year.

The Department of Materials Science and Engineering at Pohang University of Science and Technology (POSTECH), located in Nam-gu, South Korea, offers a doctoral program taught in English that focuses on the structure, properties, and processing of the materials used in modern technology. Doctoral research in this field typically covers metals, ceramics, polymers, and semiconductor materials, examining how a material's atomic and microscopic structure determines properties such as strength, conductivity, and durability, and how processing methods can be used to engineer those properties for specific applications. Candidates work in laboratories equipped for materials synthesis and characterization, where dissertation projects might involve developing new alloys, studying thin-film semiconductor materials, or improving the performance of materials used in batteries or electronic devices. Coursework at the doctoral level builds a strong foundation in materials theory, while laboratory research develops the synthesis, processing, and characterization skills the field requires. The coursework phase spans two years, with admission offered in the middle of February or the beginning of September, giving international applicants with an engineering or materials science background flexibility in planning their entry. Graduates typically pursue research and development careers in the electronics, semiconductor, automotive, or energy industries, as well as academic and government research positions. POSTECH's campus in Nam-gu sits close to major domestic steel and materials manufacturers, and the department maintains research ties to these industries, giving doctoral candidates exposure to materials problems with direct industrial relevance alongside their academic coursework.