Join our faculty members in a variety of exciting research projects by submitting your application at the bottom of this page. Each position offers a unique opportunity to engage in meaningful research, enhance your skills, and contribute to groundbreaking advancements. Below are the current available positions:
1. Advanced Batteries
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Jonghyun Park
Contact: parkjonghy@mst.edu | 573-341-4699
Project Description: We are engaged in research on advanced battery materials, structures, manufacturing, and management. Specifically, we focus on synthesizing nanoparticles and nanofibers, utilizing 3D printing and laser-based manufacturing techniques, and employing advanced modeling for extreme fast charging and management.
Expected Role: Collaborating with graduate students, providing support for projects, and occasionally taking the lead on projects.
Time Commitment: 10-20 hours per week
Financial Support: Yes (Funded through OURE)
2. Ballistic Armor and Blast Characterization
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Phillip Mulligan
Contact: pmulligan@mst.edu | 573-341-4515
Project Description: The student will work with Dr. Mulligan to characterize transparent and other armors provided by DoD contractors against specified blast and ballistic threats. *Note: Due to the nature of the work the applicants must be able to pass a background check and meet ATF CFR – 27 Chapter II – Subchapters B and C.
Expected Role: All students working for Dr. Mulligan’s research group are responsible for establishing their own research topic, within the overarching focus of ballistic and dynamic failure. Before a student will be considered for a position with the team, an agreed upon topic must be established. The student will be responsible for their research project as well as assisting other team members and field testing when needed.
Time Commitment: 10-15 hours per week
Financial Support: Yes (Faculty-funded)
3. 60 mm Projectile Accelerator Design and Characterization
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Phillip Mulligan
Contact: pmulligan@mst.edu | 573-341-4515
Project Description: The student will assist Dr. Mulligan with the design, fabrication, and characterization of a 60 mm powder projectile accelerator. *Note: Due to the nature of the work the applicants must be able to pass a background check and meet ATF CFR – 27 Chapter II – Subchapters B and C.
Expected Role: All students working for Dr. Mulligan’s research group are responsible for establishing their own research topic, within the overarching focus of ballistic and dynamic failure. Before a student will be considered for a position with the team, an agreed upon topic must be established. The student will be responsible for their research project as well as assisting other team members and field testing when needed.
Time Commitment: 10 hours per week
Financial Support: Yes (Funded through OURE)
4. Undergraduate Research Assistant
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Phillip Mulligan
Contact: pmulligan@mst.edu | 573-341-4515
Project Description: Dr. Mulligan’s team is always accepting volunteers to work in the ballistic and dynamic failure’s lab. *Note: Due to the nature of the work the applicants must be able to pass a background check and meet ATF CFR – 27 Chapter II – Subchapters B and C.
Expected Role: All students working for Dr. Mulligan’s research group are responsible for establishing their own research topic, within the overarching focus of ballistic and dynamic failure. Before a student will be considered for a position with the team, an agreed upon topic must be established. The student will be responsible for their research project as well as assisting other team members and field testing when needed.
Time Commitment: 5-20 hours per week
Financial Support: No
5. Rendezvous, Proximity, Docking, and Capture for Active Satellites and Space Debris
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Smriti Nandan Paul
Contact: smritinandan.paul@mst.edu | 573-341-4097
Project Description: Open to discussion
Expected Role: Weekly meeting for undergraduate research and possible steering to the graduate school!
Time Commitment: Flexible
Financial Support: No
6. AI-based Tools for Wound Assessment
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Fateme Fayyazbakhsh
Contact: f.fba@mst.edu | 573-466-2959
Project Description: Objective: Developing AI algorithms for wound image analysis, healing status, and decision support
Task 1 – Pressure ulcer dataset collection and annotation
Task 2 – Testing algorithms for area measurement and tissue segmentation
Task 3 – Testing algorithms for wound depth scaling
Expected Role: The undergrad student will work with a grad student for training and guidance. By completing this project, the student will develop expertise in data collection, deep learning, and image analysis, providing valuable experience for future academic and professional endeavors.
Time Commitment: 10-20 hours per week
Financial Support: No
7. Stimuli-responsive Transdermal Patches
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Fateme Fayyazbakhsh
Contact: f.fba@mst.edu | 573-466-2959
Project Description: Objective: Fabrication and characterization of stimuli-responsive hydrogel patches for transdermal drug delivery
Task 1 – Fabrication of 3D-printed MXene-based hydrogel patches loaded with polydrug
Task 2 – Characterization of mechanical properties
Task 3 – Testing drug release in response to electric current and pH
Expected Role: By completing this project, the student will develop expertise in 3D printing, mechanical testing, and drug delivery testing, providing valuable experience for future endeavors.
Time Commitment: 10-20 hours per week
Financial Support: No
8. Dynamics and Phase Change of Nanodroplets and Nanobubbles
Faculty Mentor: Dr. Zhi Liang
Contact: zlch5@mst.edu | 573-341-4982
Project Description: Investigate the dynamics of nanobubbles and their applications in wastewater treatment, food processing, detergent-free cleaning, and growth of plants and underwater creatures. Computer modeling of evaporation of water and fuel droplets with applications in fast cooling and clean combustion
Expected Role: Assist graduate students to conduct experiments with nanobubbles. Assist graduate students to process simulation data such as create animations and image processing. Also learn from graduate students how to use supercomputers to run large scale simulations.
Time Commitment: 10 hours per week
Financial Support: Yes (Funded through OURE)