PhD Position in Health Systems Optimization: Kennesaw State University (KSU) is providing a fully funded PhD postition at the Health Systems Optimization (HSOpt) Lab starting in Fall 2026. This Graduate Research Assistantship will offer a chance to researchers who are interested in improving the efficiency and effectiveness of healthcare provision by way of modelling and analytics.
It is located in the Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering in the Southern Polytechnic College of Engineering and Engineering Technology at KSU under the chairmanship of Dr Maryam Eghbalzadeh, who is also the Assistant Professor and Director of the HSOpt Lab.
The chosen applicants will be provided with attractive financial assistance, such as tuition fees and stipends, and will be involved in high-impact research to enhance healthcare systems and operations using analytical and computational techniques.
Why Pursue a PhD Position in Health Systems Optimization at Kennesaw State University?
Full Funding: All the students who are chosen get a full tuition and also a stipend as an assistantship in graduate research, which makes them stable financially during the course.
Research Excellence: The HSOpt Lab is committed to the most modern issues in healthcare optimization and is addressing the intersection of operations research, industrial engineering, and data analytics to enhance the performance of systems and the decision-making process.
One-on-one Mentorship: Have a personal mentor, Dr Maryam Eghbalzadeh, who is a specialist in operations research, modelling in healthcare and optimization. One-on-one guidance and professional mentorship are offered to students during their PhDs.
Team Learning: KSU engineering college encourages interdisciplinary teams, and students can cooperate with data science, computer engineering, public health, and systems management scholars.
Career-Based Competencies: KSU doctoral science degree holders are competitive in academic, governmental and industry employment in the fields of healthcare systems engineering, analytics and operations management.
Position Description – PhD Position in Health Systems Optimization
The Health Systems Optimization (HSOpt) Lab is dedicated to advanced mathematical modeling, optimization, and data analytics to solve the problems of inefficiency in the healthcare systems. The mission of the lab is to enhance the healthcare provision through the development of data-informed solutions to hospitals, clinics and public health organizations.
The selected PhD student will contribute to projects involving:
- Healthcare operation and schedule optimization.
- Hospital logistics and resources.
- Patient flow and system reliability modelling.
- Markov modelling, simulation, and data-driven decision support system.
- Predictive healthcare analytics with integration of machine learning and optimization.
Qualifications – PhD Position in Health Systems Optimization
In order to be eligible for this fully funded PhD position, the applicants have to fulfil the following requirements:
- Attain a master’s (M.S.) degree in either Industrial Engineering or Operations Research or a very similar program.
- Must be conversant with Python and R programming languages, or Julia, and have experience with optimization software.
- Knowledge of data-driven optimization, Markov modelling and simulation.
- Excellent critical thinking, data interpretation and quantitative problem-solving capabilities.
- Good oral and written communication, high level of self-motivation and curiosity.
- Should possess good academic qualifications.
Preferred Requirements
- Previously taken research or training in data science, reinforcement learning, or large language models.
- Peer-reviewed journal or presentation publications or presentations in academic conferences.
Application Process – PhD Position in Health Systems Optimization
Interested applicants are encouraged to submit their applications before the position is filled. In addition, candidates’ applications are reviewed on a rolling basis; thus, apply as soon as possible.
Application materials needed include:
- Curriculum Vitae (CV) or Resume.
- Academic transcripts
- Research statement
The applications should be filled out through the official link:
Apply Here
Deadline and Contact Information
Application deadline: December 31, 2025 (starting in Fall 2026)
For additional information about the lab and research possibilities, please visit here
About Dr Maryam Eghbalzadeh
Dr Maryam Eghbalzadeh is an Assistant Professor in the Kennesaw State University Southern Polytechnic College of Engineering and Engineering Technology in the Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering. She is interested in healthcare optimization, operations research, simulation modelling, and data analytics to make decisions.
Why This PhD Opportunity is Unique
Students who will enter KSU in the HSOpt Lab will:
- Participate in the high-impact research that has a direct application to healthcare enhancement.
- Work on interdisciplinary teams in the engineering, analytics, and health sciences.
- Receive a high level of knowledge in optimization, modelling, and simulation.
- Get ready to have great jobs in academia, healthcare analytics or research and development.