We are looking for founding adventurers at all levels, especially Ph.D. candidates. Success not guaranteed; scientific excitement inevitable. Sounds like you? Contact us here.

Candidates that seek admission for the August 2027 start date should submit an inquiry here and also apply directly to NTU MAE Admissions.

Openings

Ph.D. student (Precision ultrasound detection for deep, high-resolution imaging)

A fully funded Ph.D. position is available for the design and development of an ultra-compact ultrasound detection platform.

Why is this important? Ultrasound faces a fundamental depth–resolution trade-off: deeper regions can only be imaged at low resolution. By guiding ultra-compact detectors to target sites, one can achieve high-resolution imaging at depth for early lesion detection with minimal invasiveness.

What does this involve? Design and prototyping of a miniaturized ultrasound detection platform, development of signal acquisition and beamforming/reconstruction pipelines, validation on phantoms and ex-vivo tissues with collaborators.

Required background: Classical wave theory, Fourier analysis, fluency in computer language of choice (Python, MATLAB, C++ preferred).

Good to have: Micro/nanofabrication, CAD, numerical simulation (e.g., COMSOL/Ansys/Tidy3D), electron microscopy, optical alignment and laser experience, electronics.

Apply here

Ph.D. student (Photoacoustic metamaterials for compact, broadband ultrasound sources)

A fully funded Ph.D. position is available for the design and development of a photoacoustic metamaterial platform for ultrasound generation in diagnostic radiology.

Why is this important? Conventional ultrasound devices typically rely on bulky piezoelectric crystals driven by high voltages. A new class of compact ultrasound sources relies on artificial structured materials known as metamaterials and metasurfaces. These comprise tiny structures engineered to have bespoke mechanical, optical, or acoustic properties that may not be achievable in bulk materials, and are ideal for manipulating photoacoustic and acoustic emissions within a tiny form factor. A compact broadband ultrasound source is transformative for both in vivo diagnostics and high speed ex vivo tissue analysis.

What does this involve? Design and fabrication of photoacoustic metamaterial elements, building of pulsed laser excitation and characterization setups; quantification of bandwidth, directivity, and efficiency, integration of sources with detection pipelines.

Required background: Classical wave theory, fluency in computer language of choice (Python, MATLAB, C++ preferred).

Good to have: Micro/nanofabrication, numerical simulation (e.g., COMSOL/Ansys/Tidy3D), optical alignment and laser experience, electronics.

Apply here

Ph.D. student (Acoustic mechanobiology)

A fully funded Ph.D. position is available for the design and development of an acoustic stimulation platform for cell culture.

Why is this important? Tumors are mechanically heterogenous, complex systems. Their behavior influences and is influenced by the mechanical forces in their immediate vicinity. For instance, exerting mechanical stress in some systems can make it more likely for tumors to become more invasive and spread. It is critical that we understand the underlying mechanisms and identify potential therapeutic targets.

What does this involve? Design and prototyping of a high resolution acoustic stimulation platform for cell culture, development of live cell imaging equipment and analysis pipelines.

Required background: Electronics, signal analysis, fluency in computer language of choice (Python, MATLAB, C++ preferred).

Good to have: Cell biology at the undergraduate level, mammalian cell culture, sterile technique.

Apply here

All projects

• All Ph.D. positions are fully funded with both tuition and stipend coverage. Students are supported for applications to competitive scholarships and fellowships.
• Start dates: The Ph.D. and M.Eng. intake is in August and January each year. Other positions can start at mutually agreed times.
• Lab culture: The Lim Lab values curiosity, experimentation, and a healthy work-life balance. Group members have regular one-to-one meetings for guidance and mentorship, support for conference travel, and a compassionate, collaborative environment.
• Shortlisted candidates will be invited for a video call and guided through the official NTU application and scholarship process.
• Ph.D. candidates must have or be completing a STEM undergraduate degree and have professional/native English fluency.
• All Ph.D. candidates are expected to develop both computational and experimental research skills, hence all projects will include both computational and experimental components.

Funding and scholarships

For graduate students

• Nanyang President’s Graduate Scholarship: coverage up to 4 years for Ph.D.
• NTU Research Scholarship: coverage up to 4 years for Ph.D.
• Hermes-Epitek Innovation Scholarship: for full-time Masters (by research), for Singapore citizens only.
• Lee Kuan Yew Scholarship: for Masters (up to 2 years) or Ph.D. (up to 5 years), for Singapore citizens only. Apply through PSC portal.
• PSC Master’s Scholarships for Masters (up to 2 years), for Singapore citizens only.

For postdoctoral fellows

• Schmidt Science Fellowship: coverage for up to 2 years, must make significant disciplinary pivot from Ph.D. to postdoctoral work.
• Presidential Postdoctoral Fellowship: within 5 years of Ph.D. award, coverage for 2 years.
• NTU AI-for-X Postdoctoral Fellowship: within 3 years of Ph.D. award, coverage for 4 years.
• Lee Kuan Yew Postdoctoral Fellowship: coverage for 3 years.
• The Eric and Wendy Schmidt AI in Science Postdoctoral Fellowship: within 3 years of Ph.D. award, coverage for 2 years.
• EMBO Postdoctoral fellowships: coverage for 2 years, must have received/be receiving Ph.D. outside Singapore.