Applications are invited for Ph.D. positions in theoretical and computational chemistry 
Research Group directed by Professor Peng Tao at the Southern Methodist University (SMU), 
Dallas, Texas, USA (http://faculty.smu.edu/ptao). The Tao Research Group 
focuses on the methodology development and application related to protein allostery, protein 
catalytic mechanism evolution, machine learning and artificial intelligence in computational 
chemistry. The group has been productive in recent years with numerous research articles 
published on first class journals in computational chemistry and chemistry in general (Angew. 
Chem. Int. Ed.; J. Chem. Theory Comput.; PLoS Comput Biol.; Protein Science, etc.). 
The Tao Research Group is highly competitive, and has successfully secured research 
grants from both National Science Foundation and National Institutes of Health in the 
USA Federal Government. The High Performance Computer (HPC) Center of SMU 
provides outstanding computational facilities fully available to the research group. 
The Ph.D. student will work within the Tao Research Group as a vibrant, friendly and 
supportive research environment with great working conditions for the highest possible 
achievement in cutting edge research area. Each Ph.D. student will be supported through 
annual stipend of $25,000 and full tuition waiver. The Ph.D. student will be part of the 
Theoretical and Computational Chemistry Ph.D. Degree program established at SMU, 
and carry out research activities fully under the supervision of Professor Tao. 

Potential candidates should be motivated and creative, with computational skills and solid 
background in physics, physical chemistry, and/or computational biology. 
Having a good knowledge of machine learning and programming skills is highly welcome. 
Candidates should preferably hold a bachelor or master in computational/theoretical 
chemistry/biology/physics. GRE is required for all applicants. A minimum score 
of 80 for TOEFL is required for candidates with English as second language.

Southern Methodist University is a private institution that was founded in 1911. It has a 
total undergraduate enrollment of 6,452 and graduate enrollment of 5,337. Its setting is urban, 
and the campus size is 234 acres. The 2016 U.S. News & World Report ranks SMU #56 
out of 310 best national universities in USA, and the second highest ranking in Texas. 
SMU is located three miles north from the downtown of Dallas. The city's population ranks 
ninth in the U.S. and third in Texas. Dallas is one of the fastest-growing cities in the United States, 
and is the main core of the largest metropolitan area in the South and the largest 
nland metropolitan area in the United States.

Interested candidates should send one PDF document including (1) a CV with a list of 
peer-reviewed publications (if any); (2) available transcripts to Professor Peng Tao 
(ptao.@.smu.edu).  For further information about the research group please visit 
http://faculty.smu.edu/ptao

The official application has to be submitted through official link of SMU graduate program. 
All the applicants with intention to work in Professor Peng Tao's research group need to 
make clear statement in their application. To apply, please visit the website
https://gradadmission.smu.edu/apply/
Please choose the Theoretical and Computational Chemistry Ph.D. Degree program 
from the Department of Chemistry.