The joint Materials Research Center program at Columbia University and City College of NY (CCNY) supports outstanding undergraduates as Summer Research Fellows each year. In addition, a joint REU program between Columbia and the City University of New York’s Advanced Science Research Center (ASRC) may have additional openings. Those selected will have an opportunity to participate fully in an interdisciplinary research program that draws faculty from the Departments of Physics, Chemistry, Applied Physics, Chemical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Materials Engineering, and Electrical Engineering, nearby government laboratories (Brookhaven National Laboratory, etc.), and industry (IBM, etc.).

Our materials research program encompasses two research thrusts around the theme of building higher dimensional materials from lower dimensional structures with unprecedented levels of control. The first thrust combines two-dimensional layered materials such as graphene into layered heterostructures; the second combines molecular ‘superatoms’ into three-dimensional solids.  Both thrusts are built around techniques pioneered by the team, and bring together researchers with diverse capabilities, strong accomplishments, and a record of collaboration.

During the program, all REU students will also be involved in workshops, visits to local industry, recreational activities, a symposium of presentations by students, and other activities. It will include training in: laboratory practices and safety; shared materials characterization tools; and scientific writing/presentations. Students attend a weekly research seminar series by Columbia, CCNY and ASRC faculty, and present results at a daylong symposium at the end of the program.

• Must be U.S. citizens and permanent residents.
• Prospective REU participants must complete the online application and personal statement
• upload all college transcripts (unofficial is fine), a CV/resume, as well as two letters of recommendation
• No prior research experience is required.
• Students must be entering their sophomore, junior, or senior years of college – no graduating seniors will be admitted!