Physics (Ph.D.)

The Ph.D. in Physics candidate at Illinois Tech is expected to conduct meaningful, original research that makes a significant contribution to the field, while expanding their own knowledge.

Research in this program is organized into small groups of faculty members, postdoctoral associates, graduate students, and undergraduate students working closely on related projects. The principal active areas include experimental and theoretical elementary particle physics, synchrotron radiation physics, accelerator physics, structural and computational biophysics, magnetism and electrodynamics. Classes are generally small and informal, and thesis research is carried out in close collaboration with a faculty adviser.

Illinois Tech is a major research institution with connections to Argonne National Laboratory, Fermilab, and global physics experiments like Daya Bay. Major areas of research include particle and accelerator physics, condensed matter physics, superconductivity, biophysics, and computational biophysics. Faculty have special expertise in areas such as X-ray synchrotron radiation research.

Program Overview

Research is organized into groups of faculty members, postdoctoral associates, graduate students, and undergraduate students working on related projects. Principal areas include experimental and theoretical elementary particle physics, synchrotron radiation physics, accelerator physics, structural and computational biophysics, magnetism, and electrodynamics.

Career Opportunities

Physics professional options in the areas of industry, research, and the military increase with an advanced degree.

  • Physicist
  • Medical physicist
  • Computational physicist
  • Theoretical physicist
  • Clinical modeling physicist
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All documents submitted in support of an application must be original documents, or copies of original documents provided by the issuing university. Documents provided as part of the online application may not be duplicated, transferred, forwarded, or returned once they have been submitted. A non-refundable application fee is also required.

Robert Chirco

Student Wins Graduate Student Research Award from Department of Energy

Physics Ph.D. third-year student Robert Victor Chirco is advancing his study of the neutrinos flux at Fermilab thanks to a DOE funding award.

Learn More

Problem solving is not a unique skill to Illinois Tech students. However, I believe that potential candidates with this skillset become students at Illinois Tech. Moreover, the faculty here allow students to develop and, in many cases, master their problem-solving skills through their coursework. My overall knowledge and skillset increased several orders of magnitude since arriving on Illinois Tech’s campus. 

William Limestall (HP '18, current Ph.D. student in Physics)

Will Limestall