Scholarships, USA

🎓 Fully Funded MSU PhD in Power Electronics 2026 — Stipend + Tuition Waiver

Gradualin

May 13, 2026
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The future of energy is being built right now — and Mississippi State University (MSU) wants you to be part of it. The Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at MSU is actively recruiting PhD students for Fall 2026 and Spring 2027 to join Dr. Saadatizadeh’s cutting-edge Power Electronics Lab. This is a fully funded research assistantship — meaning your tuition is covered, you receive a competitive stipend, and you get to work on some of the most in-demand research in the world: electric vehicles, next-generation energy infrastructure, and AI-enabled power converter design.

At Gradualin, we hand-pick opportunities that offer real funding and real research impact. This one checks every box. If electrical engineering, power electronics, or energy systems is your field — keep reading. This guide covers everything you need to apply with confidence.

📋 Quick Summary

Detail	Information
University	Mississippi State University (MSU)
Department	Electrical & Computer Engineering
Country	United States 🇺🇸
Degree Level	Ph.D.
Field	Power Electronics / Electrical Engineering
Funding Type	Research Assistantship (Fully Funded)
Stipend	Competitive (verify on official website)
Tuition	Waiver Included
Start Date	Fall 2026 / Spring 2027
Minimum GPA	3.5/4.0
Open To	Domestic & International Students
Contact	zahra@ece.msstate.edu
Official Site	msstate.edu

🎓 University & Opportunity Overview

Mississippi State University is one of the United States’ leading public research universities and a proud member of the prestigious R1 research institution category — the highest Carnegie research classification available. Located in Starkville, Mississippi, MSU is known for its engineering programs, industry partnerships, and commitment to practical, impactful research that solves real-world problems.

This particular PhD opportunity sits within Dr. Saadatizadeh’s Power Electronics Lab in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering. The lab is focused on advancing high-efficiency, high-power-density power electronics systems — technology that powers everything from electric vehicles to industrial energy grids.

What makes this opportunity stand out at Gradualin is the combination of three elements rarely found together: a fully funded position, research in one of the fastest-growing engineering fields globally (power electronics and EV systems), and direct mentorship from a faculty member actively pushing the boundaries of AI-enabled design and wide-bandgap semiconductor technology.

Only a small number of PhD slots are available. With just a few positions open, your odds are genuinely competitive if your background matches — and that’s exactly why you need to apply quickly.

🎓 Benefits & Funding Details

As a selected PhD research assistant at MSU, you can expect the following:

✅ Full Tuition Waiver — your graduate coursework costs are fully covered
✅ Monthly Research Stipend — competitive graduate assistantship pay (verify exact amount at grad.msstate.edu/apply)
✅ Research Lab Access — state-of-the-art power electronics and prototyping equipment
✅ Direct Faculty Mentorship — one-on-one research guidance from Dr. Saadatizadeh
✅ Publication & Conference Opportunities — work that gets published in top engineering journals
✅ Industry-Relevant Skills — training in PCB design, PLECS, LTspice, and AI-enabled design tools
✅ Career Advantage — a U.S. PhD in Power Electronics opens doors globally in energy, EVs, aerospace, and tech

Here’s the best part: Power electronics engineers with a funded U.S. PhD are among the most hireable professionals in the engineering world right now. The global shift to electric vehicles, renewable energy, and smart grids has created explosive demand for exactly the skills this PhD program builds. You’re not just getting a degree — you’re positioning yourself at the center of a global industry transformation.

(Exact stipend amount not listed in the recruitment flyer — verify current rates at https://www.grad.msstate.edu/apply)

🎓 Eligibility Criteria

To qualify for this PhD position, you must meet the following requirements:

🎓 Education: Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Power Electronics, or a closely related field (priority given to applicants holding a Master’s degree)
📊 GPA: Minimum 3.5 out of 4.0 in all coursework attempted
🌐 English Proficiency: Official English language proficiency results are required for international applicants whose native language is not English — this likely means IELTS or TOEFL (verify exact score requirements at grad.msstate.edu)
🔬 Research Background: A background in power electronics, experimental prototyping of converters/inverters, PCB design tools, and simulation tools such as PLECS or LTspice is strongly preferred
💡 Lab Willingness: Must be willing to work hands-on in the lab, conduct experimental prototyping, and engage deeply in research
📅 Availability: Must be able to start Fall 2026 or Spring 2027
🌍 Nationality: Open to both domestic and international applicants
🔓 Other Fields: Applicants from closely related fields are also welcome to apply

🎓 Who Should Apply — And Who Should Not

✅ Apply if you:

Have a degree in Electrical Engineering, Power Electronics, or a related engineering discipline
Have a GPA of 3.5 or above on a 4.0 scale
Have hands-on experience with circuit simulation tools like PLECS, LTspice, or similar
Are passionate about energy systems, EV technology, or high-frequency converter design
Want a fully funded PhD in the United States with real research output
Can start by Fall 2026 or Spring 2027

❌ Don’t apply if you:

Have a GPA below 3.5/4.0 (this is a firm minimum requirement)
Have no background in electrical engineering or related technical fields
Are not available until 2028 or later
Are not willing to commit to hands-on experimental lab work

🎓 Research Directions & Available Programs

Dr. Saadatizadeh’s lab focuses on three primary research directions. Your PhD work will fall within one or more of these:

⚡ Research Direction 1 — High-Power Converter Development

Work on advanced converter systems for electric vehicle (EV) energy systems, Solid-State Transformers (SSTs), and related applications. This is one of the most commercially critical research areas in engineering today.

⚡ Research Direction 2 — High-Switching-Frequency Converter Development

Research into high-switching-frequency DC-DC converters using wide-bandgap semiconductor devices such as GaN and SiC to achieve superior performance, miniaturization, and thermal efficiency — key to the next generation of compact power hardware.

⚡ Research Direction 3 — Analysis, Optimization & Design of High-Power-Density Systems

Work on magnetic components (planar transformers, inductors, coupled inductors), AI-enabled design optimization, and high-power-density compact converters. This direction combines electrical engineering with machine learning — a rare and powerful skill combination.

The lab also develops AI-enabled design optimization methodologies to accelerate converter development, enhance reliability, and create intelligent design workflows — a research area that is growing rapidly across the engineering industry.

🎓 Required Documents

Prepare the following before applying:

📄 Updated CV / Resume — highlight all relevant engineering and research experience
📊 Official Academic Transcripts — showing GPA of 3.5+ across all degrees
📝 Cover Letter — explaining your research interest and why Dr. Saadatizadeh’s lab is the right fit
🌐 English Proficiency Scores — IELTS or TOEFL (for international applicants whose native language is not English)
🔬 Research Materials / Publications — if available, include any prior research work
✉️ Send all materials to: zahra@ece.msstate.edu
🖥️ Also apply through the MSU official admissions website: https://www.grad.msstate.edu/apply

🎓 Step-by-Step Application Process

Follow these exact steps to maximize your chances:

Step 1: Review the three research directions carefully. Identify which one matches your background and passion most closely.

Step 2: Prepare your CV, transcripts, and cover letter. Make sure your cover letter specifically mentions which research direction interests you and why — generic applications rarely succeed in competitive PhD labs.

Step 3: If you are an international student, gather your IELTS or TOEFL scores and ensure they meet MSU’s graduate school minimums.

Step 4: Send your complete application package (CV + transcript + cover letter) in a single email to Dr. Zahra Saadatizadeh at: zahra@ece.msstate.edu

Step 5: Simultaneously, apply through MSU’s official Graduate School admissions portal at: https://www.grad.msstate.edu/apply — this is a required parallel step.

Step 6: Review Dr. Saadatizadeh’s research profile to further personalize your application: https://www.ece.msstate.edu/people/faculty/zahra-saadatizadeh/

Step 7: Follow up politely 1–2 weeks after emailing if you receive no response.

💡 Gradualin Pro Tip: In your cover letter, briefly mention a specific aspect of the lab’s research — such as wide-bandgap semiconductors or AI-enabled design optimization — and connect it to something you’ve already worked on. This one detail can be the difference between a reply and silence.

🎓 Important Dates & Deadlines

Event	Date
Primary Start Date	Fall 2026
Secondary Start Date	Spring 2027
Application Review	Rolling — Begins Immediately
Position Closes	When filled (no fixed deadline listed)

⚠️ Important: No hard deadline is listed — this means the position fills on a first-qualified, first-considered basis. Every week you delay is a direct risk to your application. Apply now.

📌 Bookmark this page and check back for any updates.

🎓 Why MSU — Why Power Electronics?

Mississippi State University has built a reputation as one of America’s most impactful engineering research universities. Its College of Engineering consistently ranks among the top in the U.S. for research output, industry collaboration, and graduate employment outcomes.

But the real story here is the field itself. Power electronics is the backbone of the clean energy revolution. Every electric vehicle, every solar inverter, every wind turbine controller, every fast-charging station — all of it runs on power electronics. The global market for power electronics is projected to exceed $50 billion by 2030, and the demand for PhD-qualified engineers in this space is growing faster than universities can produce them.

Fargo — wait, Starkville, Mississippi — is a welcoming university town with a relatively low cost of living compared to major U.S. cities. Your stipend stretches further here, and the campus community is tight-knit and internationally diverse.

From a career outcome perspective: a U.S. PhD in Power Electronics from an R1 university like MSU positions you for roles at companies like Tesla, General Electric, Wolfspeed, Texas Instruments, Siemens Energy, and top universities worldwide. The career ceiling after this degree is genuinely high.

🎓 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: Is this PhD position open to international students? A: Yes. The recruitment call explicitly mentions international applicants and notes the English proficiency requirement — which confirms that international students are welcome and expected to apply.

Q: Is IELTS or TOEFL required? A: Yes — for international applicants whose native language is not English, official English language proficiency results are required. This typically means IELTS or TOEFL. Verify the minimum score at https://www.grad.msstate.edu/apply.

Q: What GPA do I need to apply? A: The minimum is 3.5 out of 4.0 across all coursework attempted. This is a firm requirement stated in the official recruitment flyer.

Q: Can I apply if my degree is not in Electrical Engineering? A: The flyer states that “applicants from other fields are also welcome” — but a background in power electronics, circuit simulation, or closely related engineering is strongly preferred. Clearly explain your relevant experience in your cover letter.

Q: Do I need to apply both by email and through the MSU portal? A: Yes — both are required. Email your CV, transcript, and cover letter to zahra@ece.msstate.edu, and also complete the official graduate school application at grad.msstate.edu/apply.

Q: Is a Master’s degree required? A: Not strictly — a Bachelor’s degree is accepted. However, the flyer notes that priority is given to applicants holding a Master’s degree. If you have an MS, lead with it.

🎓 Official Contact & Source

📧 Dr. Zahra Saadatizadeh (Lab Contact): zahra@ece.msstate.edu
🌐 Faculty Research Profile: https://www.ece.msstate.edu/people/faculty/zahra-saadatizadeh/
🖥️ MSU Graduate Admissions Portal: https://www.grad.msstate.edu/apply
🏛️ University Website: https://www.msstate.edu
📍 Location: Mississippi State University, Starkville, Mississippi, USA

📋 Complete Summary Table

Detail	Information
University	Mississippi State University (MSU)
Department	Electrical & Computer Engineering
Lab	Dr. Saadatizadeh’s Power Electronics Lab
Country	United States 🇺🇸
Degree	Ph.D. in Power Electronics
Funding	Fully Funded Research Assistantship
Tuition	Full Waiver
Minimum GPA	3.5/4.0
English Requirement	Yes — IELTS/TOEFL for international students
Start Date	Fall 2026 / Spring 2027
Application Method	Email + MSU Admissions Portal
Contact Email	zahra@ece.msstate.edu
Deadline	Rolling — Until Filled