Open Position
NSF-Funded PhD Opportunity in Intelligent Robotic 3D Concrete Printing

Funded by a National Science Foundation (NSF) CAREER Award

University of Michigan, Taubman College of Architecture and Urban Planning
DART Lab (dartlab.umich.edu)
Advisor: Prof. Dr. Mania Aghaei Meibodi
Application deadline: December 15, 2026

About this Opportunity

Taubman College of Architecture and Urban Planning is seeking a highly motivated PhD applicant to join an NSF-funded research program on intelligent robotic 3D concrete printing under the direction of Professor Mania Aghaei Meibodi. The project sits at the intersection of computational design, robotics, data science, artificial intelligence, and advanced manufacturing. Its goal is to make large-scale robotic 3D printing of complex, materially efficient building elements more reliable, less wasteful, and less dependent on manual trial and error.

The college is looking for domestic or international PhD applicants with a master’s degree (or a bachelor’s degree with strong research experience) in Architecture, Civil/Structural Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Robotics, Computer Science, Construction Engineering, or a related field who have the ability to work both independently and collaboratively in an interdisciplinary team.

If you are accepted into the PhD program and selected for this opportunity, you will receive:

  • A funded PhD position, including a graduate student research assistantship stipend, tuition, and health insurance (more than $400,000 in overall support).
  • Access to world-class facilities, including the Taubman College Digital Fabrication Lab and a dedicated robotic 3D concrete printing space with industrial robotic arms and world-class custom-built printing systems.
  • Close mentorship and training in computational design, robotics, and data-driven 3D printing.
  • A vibrant working environment at the DART Laboratory alongside other highly motivated and successful PhD students.
  • Opportunities for conference travel, industry engagement, and full-scale prototyping.
  • A collaborative, interdisciplinary, and inclusive research environment.
Research Context

Robotic 3D concrete printing could transform construction by producing materially optimized building elements, such as topology-optimized beams and slabs, that use far less material than conventional construction. Reliably printing such geometrically complex elements at architectural scale remains an open challenge. It requires new ways to translate complex geometry into printable toolpaths and to intelligently control the robotic printing process as material and process conditions change.

The PhD student will help develop the computational and experimental foundations to address this challenge, combining geometric modeling, robotic control, sensing, data-driven modeling, and full-scale prototyping. We are looking for a candidate who can formulate their own research questions within this area and shape an independent dissertation. Your research statement should outline how you would approach intelligent control for robotic 3D concrete printing of materially optimized building elements, such as beams and slabs.

Beyond research, the student will also contribute to the project’s education and outreach activities, such as developing course materials, mentoring undergraduate researchers, and supporting workshops and courses.

How to Apply
  • Candidates must formally apply to the Ph.D. in Architecture Program at the University of Michigan Taubman College of Architecture and Urban Planning by December 15, 2026:
    https://taubmancollege.umich.edu/admissions/apply/phd-in-architecture/
  • When submitting your application for the PhD program, the first line of your research statement should read: “I am interested in working on the NSF-funded research in intelligent robotic 3D printing.”
  • In the section of the application that asks for relevant faculty members, please list Prof. Mania Aghaei Meibodi.
  • Your research proposal should go beyond the technical aspects of the work and present your own ideas rather than restate this description. Situate your research from the outset in relation to existing work, clearly define your research questions and objectives, and present a fully formulated research proposal.
  • Because intelligent robotic 3D concrete printing is a new area of research, the PhD student will need to learn and develop skills quickly at the intersection of several disciplines. We do not expect applicants to have all of the necessary skills at the time of application. Instead, we ask applicants to address the following in the personal statement:
    • Your vision for this project
    • The relevant skills and knowledge you already have
    • The skills and knowledge you still need, and how you plan to acquire them
    • An example from your own experience where you overcame a similar challenge, and how you did it
  • For any questions, please contact dartlaboratory@umich.edu. Please keep your emails brief and attach your CV.
  • Important dates to remember:
    • December 15, 2026: Application deadline
    • Mid-March 2027: Admission decisions announced
    • April 15, 2027: Intent to enroll deadline