Openings

The RARE Laboratory is actively recruiting students at all levels (PhD, MS, and undergraduate) who aspire to contribute to the development of safe and innovative engineering systems through risk and reliability analysis. We also seek opportunities to host visiting students and scholars at all levels. 

Prospective Ph.D. Students

Those interested in pursuing Ph.D. research in risk and reliability analysis, especially with the following qualifications, are encouraged to apply:

• Intellectual curiosity to learn and combine multidisciplinary theories, methods, and tools to analyze complex systems.
• Programming skills (beginner to intermediate level or higher in any popular language, e.g., Python, C/C++, JavaScript).
• A basic understanding of probability and statistics (e.g., ENGR 0020 at Pitt or equivalent) is helpful but not required.
• Strong teamwork and leadership abilities, as research in risk and reliability analysis is inherently multidisciplinary, requiring collaborative problem-solving and the ability to work effectively within diverse teams. 

If you are interested in conducting Ph.D. research in the RARE Lab, please apply to the Mechanical Engineering program or the Computational Modeling and Simulation (CMS) program, selecting Dr. Sakurahara as your preferred Ph.D. advisor. 

Feel free to contact Dr. Sakurahara via email (tsakurahara@pitt.edu) with the subject “Prospective PhD Student.” Please attach (1) your academic CV, (2) a copy of your transcripts, and (3) a brief description of your background and research interests (300 words or less). Please note that, due to the volume of inquiries, I may not be able to respond to all emails.

Undergraduate/Master Students

We are also looking for undergraduate and master’s students at Pitt who are interested in research on risk and reliability analysis. While funding opportunities may be available, they are not guaranteed.

If you are interested in joining the RARE Lab, please contact Dr. Sakurahara via email (tsakurahara@pitt.edu) with the subject line “Prospective Undergraduate/Master’s Student.” Include (1) your academic CV, (2) a copy of your transcripts, and (3) a brief description of why you are interested in joining our research lab (200 words or less). Please note that, due to the volume of inquiries, responses to all emails may not be possible.

Visiting Students and Scholars

We are excited to discuss the possibility of hosting visiting students (undergraduate or graduate) and scholars (postdocs and researchers) at the RARE Lab, depending on research topics and funding situations.

Interested individuals and organizations should contact Dr. Sakurahara by email (tsakurahara@pitt.edu) with the title, “Inquiry about Visiting Students/Scholars.” Please attach the following information: (1) your CV; (2) a brief description of your background and research interests (300 words or less); and (3) a one-page summary of the proposed research plan.