As part of the PhD program in Human Centered Design & Engineering (HCDE), admitted students receive a funding package that includes a combination of rotations (as research fellowships), and additional employment opportunities through teaching assistantships, teaching associate or pre-doctoral instructor or as staff assistant, to be used during the academic year (autumn, winter, and spring quarters).

Structure of rotations

During their first year, PhD students complete two research rotations with different faculty members. Each rotation functions as an research assistantship, providing students with tuition support and a stipend in exchange for contributing to a faculty-led research project.

These rotations offer students valuable opportunities to:

• Work closely with at least two faculty members, experiencing different advising styles.
• Engage with students from multiple research labs.
• Explore diverse research topics and methodologies.

What to expect

Each student’s rotation experience is unique, but common activities may include:

• Conducting literature reviews.
• Developing and refining possible research ideas.
• Leading an independent research project.
• Contributing to an ongoing project led by a faculty member or senior student.

Through rotations, students build foundational research skills, expand their academic network, and gain insights that help them identify long-term research interests and potential PhD advisors.