Applications are invited for two fully funded PhD positions in Electric Energy Systems through the San Diego State University–University of California, San Diego (SDSU–UC San Diego) Joint Doctoral Program (JDP) for Fall 2027.
The positions are based in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at San Diego State University and will be supervised by Dr. Tong Huang, with successful candidates also co-advised by a faculty member at UC San Diego. The PhD diploma will be jointly issued by SDSU and UC San Diego.
The opportunity is particularly suited to applicants interested in artificial intelligence, cyber-physical security, power systems, power electronics, control, and the resilience of modern electricity infrastructure.
Fully Funded PhD Positions for Fall 2027
Dr. Tong Huang’s research group is recruiting two doctoral students to work on research aimed at improving the resilience, reliability and security of electricity infrastructure.
The group’s research broadly focuses on three interconnected areas:
- Domain-tailored artificial intelligence (AI)
- Cyber-physical security
- Modeling and control of inverter-based resource (IBR)-dominated power grids
Successful candidates will become part of a research environment that combines data-driven and model-based approaches to address emerging challenges in electric energy systems.
Importantly, the positions are fully funded, with the research group providing financial support that includes tuition and salary.
About the SDSU–UC San Diego Joint Doctoral Program
The successful applicants will join the joint doctoral program offered by the Electrical and Computer Engineering departments at San Diego State University (SDSU) and UC San Diego (UCSD).
Students will be mentored by Dr. Huang at SDSU and co-advised by a UC San Diego faculty member. The joint structure provides doctoral researchers with access to expertise and research networks across both institutions.
The program is scheduled to begin in Fall 2027.
The research group also collaborates with major U.S. national laboratories, universities and industry partners. Depending on research project availability and individual research interests, doctoral students may have opportunities to participate in:
- Research internships at U.S. national laboratories
- Internships with electric power companies
- Research visits to partner universities
- Collaborative research projects with academic and industry partners
- Work involving emerging technologies for resilient electricity infrastructure
These opportunities could provide valuable exposure to both academic research and real-world applications of advanced power and energy technologies.
Research Areas
The doctoral positions are designed for students interested in solving emerging problems in modern electric power systems.
One major area is domain-tailored AI, where researchers develop artificial intelligence methods specifically adapted to the technical requirements and characteristics of electricity infrastructure.
Another focus is cyber-physical security. As electricity networks become increasingly digital and interconnected, protecting critical infrastructure against cyber and physical threats has become an important research challenge.
The group also investigates modeling and control of inverter-based resource-dominated power grids. The increasing deployment of renewable energy technologies and power-electronic interfaces is changing how electrical grids operate, creating new challenges for system modeling, stability and control.
Applicants with complementary backgrounds in areas such as control theory or signal processing are also encouraged to consider the opportunity.
About Dr. Tong Huang
The positions are offered within the research group of Dr. Tong Huang, an Assistant Professor in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at San Diego State University.
Before joining SDSU, Dr. Huang worked as a postdoctoral associate at the Laboratory for Information and Decision Systems (LIDS) at MIT. He earned his PhD from Texas A&M University and has also gained industry research and development experience with organizations including ISO-New England and Mitsubishi Electric Research Laboratories.
His research has received recognition from the research community, including the NSF CAREER Award and NSF ASCENT Award. His work has also received an IEEE PES Technical Committee Prize Paper Award and Best Paper Awards at major conferences.
His research group works on strengthening the cyber-physical resilience of power-electronics-dominated electricity infrastructure through both data-driven and model-based approaches.
Eligibility and Application Qualifications
Applicants should have a strong academic and technical foundation relevant to electrical and computer engineering.
The preferred qualifications include:
- A master’s degree, although applicants with a bachelor’s degree may also be considered, in electrical engineering, computer engineering or a related discipline.
- Strong programming skills in MATLAB/Simulink or Python.
- A solid background in one or more relevant areas, including:
- Electric power systems
- Power electronics
- Control
- Signal processing
- Strong research potential and interest in pursuing doctoral-level research.
- Research publications are an advantage, although they are not presented as a mandatory requirement.
Applicants who do not have direct experience in power systems but have a strong background in control theory or signal processing are specifically encouraged to apply.
This makes the positions potentially suitable for candidates coming from several technical backgrounds who can demonstrate strong quantitative, programming and research capabilities.
What the PhD Students Will Receive
The research group will provide full financial support, including:
- Tuition support
- Salary
- Doctoral research supervision
- Joint mentorship through SDSU and UC San Diego
- Potential access to national laboratory collaborations
- Potential industry internship opportunities
- Potential research visits to partner universities
The combination of financial support and access to a broad research network makes this a competitive opportunity for students seeking doctoral training in advanced electric energy systems.
About San Diego State University
San Diego State University is an R1 research university founded in 1897. The university is located in San Diego, California, a region known for its technology, clean-energy and innovation ecosystem.
The location provides opportunities for connections across academia, industry and the startup community. For researchers working in electric energy systems, renewable energy and advanced technologies, San Diego offers an environment closely connected to California’s evolving energy landscape.
How to Apply
Prospective applicants are encouraged to contact Dr. Tong Huang early before the application deadline.
Interested candidates should email the following materials
- Curriculum vitae (CV)
- Unofficial academic transcripts
- A brief statement outlining research interests and relevant experience
- Representative publications, if available
- English-language proficiency scores, if applicable and available
Applicants should use the subject line:
“Ph.D. Applicant: [Your Name]”
Early communication is strongly encouraged, giving prospective applicants an opportunity to introduce their background and research interests before the formal application deadline.
Application Deadline
The application deadline is December 1, 2026.
The successful candidates are expected to begin the joint doctoral program in Fall 2027.
Final Thoughts
These two fully funded PhD positions in Electric Energy Systems offer an opportunity for aspiring researchers to work at the intersection of AI, cybersecurity, power systems, power electronics and control.
With tuition and salary support, joint doctoral training between SDSU and UC San Diego, and potential collaborations with national laboratories, utilities, universities and industry partners, the positions could be particularly valuable for candidates planning careers in advanced energy research, academia, national laboratories or the power and technology sectors.
Candidates with strong backgrounds in electrical engineering, computer engineering, control, signal processing or related fields should consider contacting Dr. Huang as early as possible and preparing their application materials ahead of the December 1, 2026 deadline.
