Students
The MIT Kavli Institute is an interdisciplinary research center and hosts the research of graduate students from a number of departments including:
- Physics
- Earth and Planetary Sciences (EAPS)
- Electrical Engineering and Computer Science (EECS)
- Aeronautics/Astronautics
- Mechanical Engineering
Most students are part of the MIT Department of Physics, which has a graduate population of between 260 and 290 students, with approximately 45 students starting and graduating each year. Almost all students pursue a PhD degree in Physics, typically graduating in 5 to 7 years.
The MKI Astrophysics Division is under the purview of the Department of Physics. The Division typically admits ~10 new astro graduate students every year. Explore current research groups and faculty.
For questions related to astrophysics, contact:
- Professor Anna Frebel, Division Head
- Michael McDonald, faculty
- Matt Evans, faculty
More resources:
An undergraduate degree in physics at MIT, with its strong emphasis on problem-solving and quantitative reasoning, provides an excellent foundation for graduate study in physics and related fields. It also prepares students for a wide range of careers in industry, research, finance, management, law, medicine, and public policy. Learn more about the Physics Major and Astronomy Minor.
The Physics Department offers undergraduate research opportunities with faculty and research groups through MIT's Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program (UROP). For information on funding, application deadlines, eligibility, and program guidelines, visit the UROP website.
Research Opportunities in Astrophysics
Students interested in conducting research with scientists at the MIT Kavli Institute (MKI) or faculty in the Astrophysics Division should contact researchers whose work aligns with their interests to discuss potential projects.
Once a student and advisor have agreed on a project, the student is responsible for submitting a UROP application. This includes a 1–3 page research proposal describing the project's goals and the student's planned research activities. For astrophysics projects, applications should list MKI as the host department for administrative processing. After submission, the advisor will review the application and either approve it or return it for revisions. Students may begin work once the proposal has been approved by the UROP Office and should coordinate with their advisor to schedule project onboarding.
Funding
Some research groups have independent funding available for undergraduate researchers. In these cases, a UROP application may not be required. Students should discuss funding options directly with their prospective advisor.
Safety and Training
Before beginning research, students must complete all required MIT and departmental safety and Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) training. No student may begin laboratory work until all applicable training requirements have been fulfilled.
Evaluation
At the end of each term, advisors provide a brief evaluation of each student's research performance as part of the UROP process.