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Biomedical Engineering

Doctorate
What is the Ph.D. in Biomedical Engineering?
Who is this Program For?
How Do You Apply?
What Will You Study?
Why Study Biomedical Engineering at Tufts?
What Can You Do With a Ph.D. in Biomedical Engineering?
Frequently Asked Questions
Apply Request Info
Application Deadlines
Fall: Dec 1
Spring: n/a
Summer: n/a
School/Department
Biomedical Engineering
Contact
gradadmissions@tufts.edu
Location
Medford/Somerville
Format
On-campus
Commitment Options
Full-time
Part-time (Daytime)
Average Duration
3 - 5 years
Credits
Varies

Overview

What is the Ph.D. in Biomedical Engineering?

The Ph.D. in Biomedical Engineering at Tufts University is a research-focused doctoral program for students who want to advance engineering approaches to human health. Students pursue independent research leading to a dissertation while building depth in areas such as biomaterials, biotechnology, biomedical data analysis, medical instrumentation, tissue engineering, regenerative medicine, and sensing systems.

Offered through the Department of Biomedical Engineering, the program is available on campus in Medford/Somerville. Full-time and part-time study options are available, and the average duration is 3–5 years.

 Who is this Program For?

This program is designed for students with a bachelor’s or master’s degree in engineering or in basic, applied, or health sciences who want to conduct advanced research in biomedical engineering.

Applicants should have preparation in biology, mathematics through ordinary differential equations, and foundational engineering topics such as fluid mechanics, materials, thermodynamics, or circuit theory. Students who need additional preparation may be admitted with the expectation that they complete courses to build the required background.
 

Application Requirements

  • Application Fee
  • Resume/CV
  • Personal Statement
  • Short Answer Prompts
    • In no more than 2,500 words single spaced, answer the following prompts:
      • Why do you want to be a scientist or engineer and how will you use your training to impact society?
      • Tell us about a project you may have done for a class or in a research lab or other setting discuss the problem you were trying to solve, how you approached it, and what you learned.
      • Share an experience where you challenged of failed at something. How did you deal with it or stay motivated and work to overcome it?
      • What are you passionate about outside of school or the lab?
      • Why have you chosen to apply to Tufts BME? Are they are any research groups you are especially interested in?
      • Is there any other relevant information not specified in your CV or questions above that you think will strengthen your candidacy to the program?
  • Transcripts
  • Two letters of recommendation
  • GRE General Test scores are not required
  • Official TOEFL, IELTS, or Duolingo test scores (if applicable)
  • Portfolio (optional)

Apply   Request Info 

 What Will You Study?

Doctoral study in biomedical engineering combines graduate coursework, independent research, teaching experience, and dissertation preparation. Students build technical depth while developing the ability to frame research questions, design experiments, analyze data, communicate findings, and contribute original knowledge to the field.

Ph.D. requirements include core coursework, graduate electives, an original research presentation course, a qualifying exam, dissertation committee meetings, a dissertation defense, two semesters of teaching assistant experience, and participation in graduate seminars.

Coursework and research areas may include:

  • Principles of biomedical engineering
  • Analytical tools and statistical methods for biomedical applications
  • Molecular biotechnology
  • Biomaterials
  • Biotechnology
  • Biomedical data analysis
  • Medical instrumentation and artificial joints
  • Tissue engineering
  • Regenerative medicine
  • Sensing systems

About the Department of Biomedical Engineering

The Department of Biomedical Engineering at Tufts University offers research and educational opportunities focused on improving human health through engineering.

Students work within a collaborative School of Engineering environment and may engage with faculty whose research connects engineering, biology, medicine, data analysis, materials science, and translational health applications.
 

Apply   Request Info 

 Why Study Biomedical Engineering at Tufts?

 

Research-Driven Doctoral Training

The Ph.D. is centered on independent research that leads to a dissertation. Students work closely with faculty mentors to develop research questions, conduct original investigations, and prepare for advanced roles in academia, industry, research institutions, or related sectors.
 

Interdisciplinary Learning

Biomedical engineering draws from engineering, biology, medicine, data science, and materials science. Tufts’ interdisciplinary environment helps doctoral students approach complex health challenges from multiple perspectives.

Faculty Mentorship

Doctoral students benefit from close faculty interaction and research advising. Faculty expertise spans areas such as biomaterials, tissue engineering, regenerative medicine, biomedical optics, cancer biology, sensing systems, drug delivery, medical device design, and biotechnology.
 

Boston-Area Location

Tufts’ Medford/Somerville campus places students near the Greater Boston life sciences, healthcare, biotechnology, and research ecosystem. This location can support professional connections, research exposure, and access to a broader biomedical innovation community.

 What Can You Do With a Ph.D. in Biomedical Engineering?

A Ph.D. in Biomedical Engineering can support advanced research, technical leadership, teaching, and innovation-focused career paths. Graduates may pursue roles in academic research, biotechnology, medical device development, pharmaceutical research, biomedical data analysis, biomaterials, tissue engineering, regenerative medicine, or research and development.

Potential paths may include:

  • University faculty member or postdoctoral researcher
  • Biomedical engineering, biotechnology, biomaterials, tissue engineering, or regenerative medicine researcher
  • Medical device R&D engineer
  • Biomedical data or imaging researcher
  • Translational research scientist
     

What is the Career Outlook?

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that employment for bioengineers and biomedical engineers is projected to grow 5% from 2024 to 2034. The median annual wage for bioengineers and biomedical engineers was $106,950 in May 2024. Doctoral graduates may pursue opportunities in academia, industry, hospitals, research organizations, government, or entrepreneurial settings.

 Frequently Asked Questions

 

What academic background do I need?

Applicants are expected to have a bachelor’s or master’s degree in engineering or basic, applied, or health sciences. Preparation should include biology, mathematics through ordinary differential equations, and foundational engineering coursework.
 

Is the GRE required?

No. GRE General Test scores are not required.

Are scholarships or financial aid available?

Full-time PhD students within the School of Engineering often receive a tuition scholarship. Applicants should review current tuition and aid information and contact gradadmissions@tufts.edu with questions.
 

How do I apply?

Applicants can apply online through Tufts Graduate Admissions Portal. Required materials typically include transcripts, a resume or CV, letters of recommendation, and a statement of purpose. International applicants may also need to submit English proficiency documentation. Visit the admissions page for current deadlines and application requirements. 

Faculty

faculty photo

Shelly Peyton

Professor and Chair of Biomedical Engineering
Biomedical Engineering
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Alessandra Balduini

Research Associate Professor
Biomedical Engineering
regulation, environment and pathology of megakarocytes to platelets
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Lauren Black III

Associate Professor
Biomedical Engineering
cardiovascular tissue engineering, dynamic tissue mechanics and visualization, computational modeling, myocardial infarction, tissue engineering, regenerative medicine, cardiogenesis
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Barbara Brodsky

Research Professor
Biomedical Engineering
biophysics, collagen, protein structure
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Sergio Fantini

Professor
Biomedical Engineering
Biomedical optics, diffuse optical imaging, functional near-infrared spectroscopy, quantitative tissue oximetry.
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Juan Gnecco

Assistant Professor
Biomedical Engineering
Research at the intersection of reproductive biology and tissue engineering to understand the immune-endocrine mechanisms driving uterine reproductive health and disease. We are particularly interested in understanding how inflammation negatively, and positively, impacts reproductive function across the lifespan. Our lab builds miniature uterine tissues using tissue engineering approaches and human tissues to study tissue regeneration, endometriosis, infertility, reproductive aging (i.e., menopause) and tissue-tissue crosstalk.
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Nisha Iyer

Tiampo Family Assistant Professor
Biomedical Engineering
stem cells, neural tissue engineering, organoids, disease modeling, spinal cord injury, biomanufacturing
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David Kaplan

Distinguished Professor, Stern Family Professor of Engineering
Biomedical Engineering
biopolymer engineering, biomaterials, material science, tissue engineering, bioengineering, cellular agriculture
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Janet Krevolin

Professor of the Practice
Biomedical Engineering
medical device design and development
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Chunmei Li

Research Assistant Professor
Biomedical Engineering
biomaterials for hard tissue regeneration, biophysical control of macrophage polarization
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Srivalleesha Mallidi

Associate Professor
Biomedical Engineering
Ultrasound imaging, photoacoustic imaging, multi-modality imaging, image-guided surgery and therapeutics, nano drug delivery systems
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Fiorenzo Omenetto

Frank C. Doble Professor
Biomedical Engineering
ultrafast nonlinear optics, nanophotonics, biopolymer multifunctional materials, material science, photonic crystals, photonic crystal fibers
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Madeleine Oudin

Associate Professor and Tiampo Family Fellow
Biomedical Engineering
cancer biology, tumor microenvironment, mechanisms of metastasis and drug resistance
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Angelo Sassaroli

Research Assistant Professor
Biomedical Engineering
near-infrared spectroscopy, diffuse optical tomography
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Igor Sokolov

Professor
Mechanical Engineering
Present: Engineering for Health -> Physics of cancer and aging -> Mechanics of biomaterials at the nanoscale, Synthesis and study of functional nanomaterials for biomedical imaging and drug delivery, Advanced imaging for medical diagnostics, Novel processes and materials for dentistry: nano-polishing and self-healing materials. Favorite experimental techniques: atomic force microscopy/scanning probe microscopy, confocal microscopy and spectroscopy, nanoindenters. Favorite theoretical methods: contact models, machine learning methods. Past: quantum field theory, theory of gravity, cosmology, Casimir effect.
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Brian Timko

Associate Professor
Biomedical Engineering
nanoelectronics, biosensing, biomaterials, tissue engineering, drug delivery
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Qiaobing Xu

Professor
Biomedical Engineering
biomaterials, drug delivery, micro/nanofabrication, tissue engineering

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