Take your research further.
Find faculty whose research matches your interests, contribute to funded projects, and turn your work into publications, new technologies, and professional experience.
Find the faculty and questions you want to pursue.
Your advisor and research group shape much of a research-focused graduate degree. Explore current projects, research themes, and faculty expertise before choosing where to apply.
Research opportunities and advisor availability vary by department and degree. Start with the work that genuinely interests you.
The right starting point depends on your goals.
Find a faculty research group
Compare research topics and look for faculty whose current projects align with your interests.
Explore by ProgramDiscover research centers
See how graduate researchers work across labs and disciplines, from transportation to robotics and materials.
Explore Research CentersCompare degree pathways
Review research-oriented Ph.D. and master's options, program requirements, and admissions contacts.
View Graduate ProgramsWhat graduate students are actually researching.
Jacob Waitkus
Jacob co-authored a study of a silicon nanopillar sensor that responds to an antibiotic target. His related doctoral research received a $120,000 USDA predoctoral fellowship.
Rohit Kundu
Rohit led SAGA, a system that identifies which AI video generator produced a synthetic video by analyzing visual and temporal signatures. The research appeared at CVPR 2026.
Ziyan Zhang
Ziyan led work on roadside camera and LiDAR detection to identify and track trucks approaching traffic signals. The team deployed and tested its system in the field.
More expertise. More ways to collaborate.
Research centers bring faculty and graduate students together across departments, with specialized facilities and partnerships supporting work in energy, air quality, robotics, cybersecurity, and more.
Explore BCOE Research CentersUnderstand the support behind the research.
A prospective graduate researcher should know how a program supports their work and what to expect from an advisor, an appointment, and the university.
Research appointments and funding
Graduate Student Researchers (GSRs) are employed on faculty-directed research related to their degree. Appointments are made by programs and depend on funding, eligibility, and availability.
Ph.D. and master's funding can differ. Some BCOE admissions fellowship packages are available only to eligible Ph.D. applicants. Master's students should verify funding and research expectations directly with their program. No appointment or award is guaranteed.
Mentorship and professional growth
Graduate research also involves writing papers, presenting results, developing technical methods, and preparing for careers in academia, industry, or government.
UCR's GradSuccess services offer writing, quantitative methods, mentorship, and career-development support. BCOE graduate advising can help with degree milestones and program-specific questions.
Explore the research shaping what comes next.
Browse BCOE research themes and find faculty working in areas that interest you.