Are you an aspiring engineer looking for a fully funded PhD in the USA? Cornell University’s prestigious Scalable MetaStructures Laboratory (SCALE Lab) is now accepting applications for Spring 2026 and Fall 2026 PhD admissions in structural, materials, or mechanical engineering.

This is a golden opportunity to join one of the top Ivy League universities in the United States with full funding, cutting-edge research, and world-class facilities.

Why Cornell? It’s Not Just a Fancy Name—It’s Engineering Magic

Let’s be real: Cornell University isn’t just another Ivy League spot; it’s a powerhouse for folks like you who geek out over structural engineering, materials engineering, or mechanical engineering. Tucked in the gorgeous Finger Lakes of New York, Cornell’s College of Engineering ranks in the top 10 nationwide, blending hardcore theory with hands-on innovation. Their push for sustainability? It’s baked in, making it the perfect playground for tackling real-world headaches like climate-proof bridges or quake-resistant skyscrapers.

And the perks? As a fully funded PhD student at Cornell, you’re looking at full tuition remission, a stipend that hovers around $30K–$40K a year (depending on the year and funding), plus health perks. No scraping by on ramen here—you can pour your energy into research. Plus, Ithaca’s vibe? Stunning hikes, vibrant grad community, and easy hops to NYC for industry schmoozing. If you’re eyeing a career at places like Arup or even NASA, this is where legends start.

Program Overview and Focus Areas

The PhD position is part of Cornell University’s graduate program in engineering and offers a rigorous, research-focused education. The lab’s current projects revolve around:

• Design and simulation of mechanical metamaterials with programmable properties
• Experimental characterization of architected materials for infrastructure resilience
• Sustainable design methodologies for next-generation civil and structural systems
• Integration of computational and data-driven tools in materials and structural mechanics

This position is ideal for students with a strong academic background in:

• Structural Engineering
• Mechanical Engineering
• Materials Engineering
• Applied Physics or Engineering Mechanics

Applicants should have demonstrated experience or interest in topics such as computational mechanics, structural design, material modeling, or experimental methods in engineering.

Funding and Benefits

This PhD opportunity is fully funded. Selected students will receive:

• Full tuition coverage for the duration of the program
• A competitive monthly stipend for living expenses
• Comprehensive health insurance
• Access to state-of-the-art laboratory equipment and facilities
• Funding support for conference travel and professional development

Cornell’s graduate engineering programs are globally recognized, and students benefit from a highly collaborative research culture, a diverse international community, and access to numerous interdisciplinary centers and initiatives.

Join the SCALE Lab at Cornell University

PhD Application Process – Follow these two essential steps to be considered for our research team

1

Direct Application to the SCALE Lab

Submit Preliminary Application

Prospective candidates must first submit their application materials directly to the lab via email.

Email: fani.derveni@cornell.edu

Subject Line: PhD Position at SCALE Lab

Required PDF Documents

The PDF should include the following documents:

• A cover letter describing your academic background, research interests, and motivation for applying
• A detailed CV (Curriculum Vitae)
• Contact information for 2–3 academic or professional references

2

Official Cornell Graduate School Application

Complete Official Application

In addition to contacting the SCALE Lab, applicants must also complete the official PhD application through the Cornell University Graduate School website.

Apply Now

Application Deadline: November 1, 2025

Preferred Start Dates

Spring 2026 or Fall 2026

Important: Only candidates who complete both steps—the direct lab submission and the official Cornell application—will be considered.

PhD Application Materials: Sample Templates

Below are ready-to-edit templates for your Cornell SCALE Lab PhD application. Simply replace the bracketed placeholders with your personal information.

1. Cover Letter Template

[Your Full Name]  
[Your Address]  
[City, State, ZIP Code]  
[Your Email] | [Your Phone Number] | [LinkedIn/GitHub (Optional)]  

[Date]  

Dr. Fani Derveni  
Principal Investigator, SCALE Lab  
Cornell University  
Ithaca, NY 14853  

**Subject: Application for Fully Funded PhD Position in Mechanical Engineering – [Your Name]**  

Dear Dr. Derveni,  

I am writing to express my enthusiastic interest in the fully funded PhD position in Structural/Materials/Mechanical Engineering at Cornell University’s SCALE Lab, as advertised. With my strong academic foundation in [Your Field] and research experience in [Specific Area], I am confident in my ability to contribute meaningfully to your work on mechanical metamaterials and infrastructure resilience.  

During my [Bachelor’s/Master’s] studies at [University], I developed expertise in [Relevant Skills: e.g., computational modeling, experimental mechanics, finite element analysis]. My thesis/dissertation, titled *“[Your Thesis Title]”*, investigated [Brief 1-sentence summary]. This work resulted in [Outcomes: e.g., a publication in Journal X, a conference presentation, a novel methodology].  

I am particularly drawn to the SCALE Lab’s pioneering research on [Mention 1–2 specific papers/projects from the lab website]. My experience with [Your Relevant Skill/Project] aligns closely with your focus on [Specific Research Area]. I am eager to apply my skills in [Skill 1] and [Skill 2] to advance your work on [Specific Problem].  

Cornell’s interdisciplinary environment and the SCALE Lab’s emphasis on [Mention Lab Value: e.g., computational-experimental synergy, real-world impact] resonate deeply with my research philosophy. I am especially excited by the opportunity to [Specific Goal: e.g., develop bio-inspired metamaterials for seismic resilience].  

Thank you for considering my application. I have attached my CV and look forward to discussing how my background and vision align with the SCALE Lab’s mission.  

Sincerely,  
[Your Full Name]  
[Your Degree, e.g., M.S. in Mechanical Engineering, XYZ University]

2. CV Template (Curriculum Vitae)

**[Your Full Name]**  
[Email] | [Phone] | [LinkedIn/GitHub/Portfolio URL] | [City, Country]  

---

### **EDUCATION**  
**M.S. in [Your Field]**  
[University Name], [City, Country]  
[Month, Year] – [Month, Year]  
- GPA: [X.X/4.0] | Relevant Coursework: [Course 1], [Course 2], [Course 3]  
- Thesis: *“[Thesis Title]”*  
  - [1–2 bullet points on methodology/results]  

**B.S. in [Your Field]**  
[University Name], [City, Country]  
[Month, Year] – [Month, Year]  
- GPA: [X.X/4.0] | Honors: [e.g., *Magna Cum Laude*, Dean’s List]  

---

### **RESEARCH EXPERIENCE**  
**Research Assistant**, [Lab/University]  
[City, Country] | [Month, Year] – Present  
- Developed [Method/Tool] to study [Problem], improving [Metric] by X%  
- Authored [Number] conference/journal papers (e.g., *“[Paper Title]”*, [Conference/Journal])  
- Collaborated with [Group] on [Project] using [Software/Technique]  

**Undergraduate Researcher**, [Professor’s Lab]  
[University] | [Month, Year] – [Month, Year]  
- Investigated [Topic] via [Method], resulting in [Outcome]  
- Presented findings at [Conference/Event]  

---

### **TECHNICAL SKILLS**  
- **Software**: ANSYS, COMSOL, MATLAB, Python (NumPy, SciPy), Abaqus, SolidWorks  
- **Methods**: Finite Element Analysis (FEA), Digital Image Correlation (DIC), 3D Printing, SEM/TEM  
- **Languages**: English (fluent), [Other Language]  

---

### **PUBLICATIONS & PRESENTATIONS**  
**Journal Papers**  
1. [Your Name], et al. “[Paper Title].” *Journal Name*, vol. X, no. Y, [Year].  
2. ...  

**Conferences**  
- “[Presentation Title],” [Conference Name], [Location], [Year].  

---

### **AWARDS & HONORS**  
- [Award Name], [Granting Organization], [Year]  
- [Scholarship Name], [University], [Year]  

---

### **PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE** (Optional)  
**[Job Title]**, [Company]  
[City] | [Dates]  
- [Achievement with metric, e.g., “Optimized design process, reducing costs by 15%”]  

3. References Template

**References**  

1. **Dr. [Full Name]**  
   [Title, e.g., Associate Professor of Mechanical Engineering]  
   [Department], [University/Company]  
   Email: [professional@email.edu]  
   Phone: [+1 (XXX) XXX-XXXX]  
   *Relationship: [e.g., Master’s Thesis Advisor, 2022–2024]*  

2. **Dr. [Full Name]**  
   [Title, e.g., Senior Research Scientist]  
   [Lab/Company Name]  
   Email: [professional@email.com]  
   Phone: [+1 (XXX) XXX-XXXX]  
   *Relationship: [e.g., Research Supervisor, Summer 2023 Internship]*  

3. **[Mr./Ms. Full Name]**  
   [Title, e.g., Principal Engineer]  
   [Company]  
   Email: [professional@email.com]  
   Phone: [+1 (XXX) XXX-XXXX]  
   *Relationship: [e.g., Project Manager, Capstone Design Team, 2023]*  

Key Tips for Applicants:

1. Cover Letter:

• Customize for SCALE Lab (mention specific papers/projects)
• Keep to 1 page
• Highlight problem-solving skills and research vision

1. CV:

• Use reverse chronological order
• Quantify achievements (“Improved efficiency by 30%” > “Worked on efficiency”)
• Include keywords from the lab’s research focus (metamaterials, resilience, computational mechanics)

1. References:

• Ask permission before listing anyone
• Choose referees who can speak to your research potential
• Provide institutional email addresses (not Gmail/Yahoo)

Deadline: Submit all materials via the Cornell Graduate Admissions Portal by November 1, 2025.
Questions? Contact: fani.derveni@cornell.edu

Templates designed for the SCALE Lab PhD position at Cornell University. Replace all [bracketed placeholders] with your details. Good luck!

Why Pursue a PhD at Cornell University?

Cornell University is an Ivy League research institution consistently ranked among the top engineering schools in the United States and globally. The university offers an exceptional academic environment with:

• A vibrant, interdisciplinary research culture
• World-class faculty and mentorship
• Advanced laboratory and computing facilities
• A beautiful and intellectually stimulating campus in Ithaca, New York
• Strong support services for international students and scholars

A PhD from Cornell opens doors to academic, research, and industry careers across the globe. The SCALE Lab’s focus on sustainable and scalable infrastructure solutions positions students at the forefront of innovation in engineering science.

Conclusion

If you’re looking to build a career in cutting-edge research while contributing to sustainable infrastructure systems, this PhD opportunity at Cornell’s SCALE Lab is an excellent pathway. With full funding, expert mentorship, and access to world-class resources, this program offers everything you need to succeed in academia or industry.

Begin preparing your application early, and be sure to meet both submission requirements by November 1, 2025.

For more fully funded graduate opportunities, visit VisaGuidePro.com.