Are you an incoming UT Austin junior, senior, or graduate student looking to gain real-world experience in consulting and sustainability? Apply to be part of the Global Sustainability Leadership Institute's selective Fall 2026 LIFT cohort and gain career-ready skills!

The Energy Materials Physics Department is a multidisciplinary research organization specializing in the synthesis and characterization of novel materials for energy and national security applications. We seek to understand and engineer materials that enable advanced energy technologies by linking atomic scale structure, defects, and interfaces to macroscopic hydrogen isotope retention, transport properties, and material performance in extreme environments. Our work encompasses discovery and optimization of materials for hydrogen storage and separations, as well as development of plasma-facing and containment materials for next generation fusion and fission reactors. We also study plasma-materials interactions using state-of-the-art research facilities and employ surface sensitive diagnostic techniques to probe composition and structure in the outermost atomic layers, and use ion implantation to tailor near surface chemistry and defect populations. We also conduct material exposure tests and study the near-surface plasma physics at the US National Tokamak Research facility in San Diego.

The BEST Symposium will be held virtually from July 27–29, 2026. This industrial research career conference, sponsored by Dow, is designed to introduce underrepresented U.S. doctoral and postdoctoral scientists to the wide range of rewarding careers in industrial research, including the many opportunities available at Dow – one of the world’s leading materials science companies. The conference, developed jointly by Dow’s minority scientists and PhD recruiting team, reflects Dow’s strong commitment to building and sustaining a diverse scientific workforce.

Join industry leaders, policymakers, and top academic voices at the Kay Bailey Hutchison Energy Center’s flagship annual symposium, where the most pressing energy challenges are debated and the path forward takes shape.

EnergizeUT is the Energy Institute’s signature annual event that brings together students, industry professionals, and campus partners to explore careers and innovations in the energy sector. Through engaging keynote speakers, panel discussions, and interactive breakout sessions, attendees gain insight into the evolving energy landscape while building valuable professional connections. EnergizeUT places a strong emphasis on career development, offering students opportunities to learn about different pathways in energy and develop the skills needed to succeed in the field.

Hydrogen Day showcases the commitment of the University of Texas at Austin to advancing hydrogen research, education, and industry engagement. Each year, the event brings together experts from industry, academia, and government to share insights, foster collaboration, and discuss the technologies shaping the future of clean energy.

The forum is the Energy Institute's premier event focused on the future of solar energy, photovoltaic technologies, and energy storage advancements. Bringing together leaders from industry, academia, government, and research organizations, the forum provides a platform to discuss emerging innovations, market trends, policy developments, and the role of solar power in the global energy transition.