Openings

We have openings for postdocs, graduate students, and undergraduate students.

  • Postdocs: We have an opening for postdoctoral scholar. See details here.
  • Graduate students: Perspective students can apply through the department website here. If you are an admitted student, you are welcome to contact me at ziyan.zhu@bc.edu to discuss potential research projects.
  • Undergraduate students: If you are an undergraduate student interested in computational physics (at BC or outside of BC), you are welcome to contact me at ziyan.zhu@bc.edu to discuss potential projects. In the email, please include your most recent transcript and briefly explain your research interests.

Mentoring philosophy

As a mentor, my number one priority is to make sure that you are happy and achieving your goals. To do so, I will:

  • Craft research projects that fit your goals: I have broad research interests and I am always open to new ideas. If you are interested in computational work and willing to learn, we can work together to design a project that excites you. For new students, we will do a short trial project with a concrete end goal, allowing us to determine if we are a good fit.
  • Encourage independent work: While I will offer initial direction, you are ultimately the captain and owner of your project. Becoming a creative thinker requires time and space to explore, experiment, and even make mistakes. I will support you by fostering an environment that encourages independent thinking. In the meantime, we will have weekly check-in meetings to ensure steady progress.
  • Help your work gain visibility: You will have opportunities present your work at conferences and publish papers regularly. Communication skills — both written and oral — are essential for every scientist. I will help you create visually compelling figures, write clearly, and develop strong public speaking skills.
  • Your mental health matters! The academic journey is long and hard. It is important to work at a sustainable pace because happy people tend to be the most productive.