ChE Research Opportunities

If you are interested in doing research in the Davidson School of Chemical Engineering, we encourage you to follow the steps below:

Getting started

  • If you want to participate in research, but are unsure of the projects taking place, or the faculty who research, we encourage to review the different Research Projects in ChE, which provide a listing of the faculty involved in their respective area. You may review the CV and background of each faculty to determine if this fits your research direction and goals.

​Found a few faculty members matching your research area of interest?

Now that you have one or several faculty and project areas in mind, reach out to your choices via e-mail individually.

In your email, be sure to include:

  • Your interest in that area of research
  • Academic progress at time of your search [courses]
  • Why you wish to pursue research [graduate school, R&D within industry, etc.]
  • Indicate you are seeking to perform research for credit
  • Ask to meet to further discuss their research and available projects; this could be in person or virtual
    • Please do not send a mass email to multiple faculty and be patient in waiting for a reply

Meet with the faculty member

It is common for the faculty to want to meet, similar to an informal interview. When you go, to better understand you and your interest.

When meeting:

  • Take your resume [have one on hand even if you sent one in your email]
  • It is an opportunity to further discuss your academic background and reasoning for doing research
  • Have questions prepared; ask about the research, their expectations of you and their group, etc.
  • Faculty have their own requirements for completing research credit such as regular progress meetings, presentation, summary/lab report, etc., so ask and understand what they require

Registering for CHE 41100 ChE Undergraduate Research or other ChE Research/Design course (CHE 41200, 49800 or 49900) 

When agreed upon of joining their research team, students should complete the ChE Research/Design Contract electronically with their Faculty Research Advisor to outline: 

  • Number of hours per week you will work in the lab
  • Number of credits [general criteria is 1-credits = 3-hrs work
  • Outcomes and expectations/requirements
  • Research-related area: Biological Engineering; Energy & Environment; Materials & Polymers; Pharmaceutical Engineering

Completed forms may be uploaded to the following link or to the QR Code on the form to initiate the registration process.

*Requests for registering for CHE 41100 via the Scheduling Assistant without a ChE Research/Design Contract on file will be denied. Please be sure to have your contract submitted and wait for further instructions from the ChE Undergraduate Office regarding adding this to your schedule.

Registering for CHE 41100 ChE Undergraduate Research when researching in another department

Students participating in chemical engineering related research outside of the Davidson School of Chemical Engineering are required to complete the ChE Research/Design Contract: External Research electronically with their Faculty Research Advisor to outline: 

  • Description of the research project you will be participating in
  • Explanation as to how this research relates to chemical engineering 
  • Explanation as to how this research pertains towards a ChE Concentration if applicable
  • Number of hours per week you will work in the lab
  • Number of credits [general criteria is 1-credits = 3-hrs work
  • Outcomes and expectations/requirements
  • Research-related area: Biological Engineering; Energy & Environment; Materials & Polymers; Pharmaceutical Engineering

Completed forms may be uploaded to the following link or to the QR Code no later than 5:00 p.m. on the Friday of the semester’s first week to be eligible for consideration. The School of Chemical Engineering Undergraduate Committee will review submissions and if approved, students will work with the Undergraduate Office to complete the registration process.

Safety Training

Safety is everyone’s responsibility, and conducting research safely is one of the core values for the Davidson School of Chemical Engineering. This is why we put a high emphasis on starting research activities with the right preparation. Before you start your research experience in one of our labs, please review the ChE Safety Committee recommendations, complete the safety training that is relevant to your case and complete the Training Completion Log.
 
  1. Initial training – for researchers new to our School (e.g.: students from other Purdue Departments/Schools, visiting students, etc.)
  2. ChE Specific Safety Refresher Training – for researchers who already completed initial training
  3. Undergraduate Student/Minor Researcher Safety Contract