Industrial Engineering and Operations Research

*Operations Research, PhD

Doctoral Programs
In-Person

Deepen your knowledge of optimization and stochastic models and pursue research in areas of focus like financial engineering or machine learning.

Develop a comprehensive set of analytical tools to solve complex operational problems in business. In the PhD in Operations Research program at Columbia Engineering, you’ll gain familiarity with the latest computational methods, including machine learning and AI, and research their application in a domain that aligns with your career focus. With departmental strengths in areas including financial engineering, supply chain management, healthcare management, and stochastic modeling plus close ties with university-wide research centers, you’ll be immersed in a rich, collaborative environment that provides multiple avenues for exploration.

As a graduate, you’ll benefit from your outstanding training, the department’s reputation, and close industry ties as you advance in your career. Recent graduates have taken tenure-track positions at institutions including Stanford, Cornell, and the University of Hong Kong and filled advanced roles at Amazon, Alibaba, Goldman Sachs, Google, J.P. Morgan, and Meta.  

Why Earn your PhD in Operations Research at Columbia?


Columbia gives you a rigorous Ivy League education in the heart of a vibrant global city for unmatched opportunities and impact.

As a student, you’ll benefit from:

  • New York City
    There’s no better place to study operations research than New York City, a hub for some of the world’s largest and most complex enterprises. The department takes full advantage of this strategic location, drawing on expert practitioners for seminars, conference participation, research collaborations, and career connections for students.
     
  • Outstanding Placement
    From tenure track positions at prestigious global universities to senior roles at leading companies in technology and finance, your training and research opportunities at Columbia Engineering prepare you for leadership. 
     
  • Multidisciplinary Research Opportunities
    Join experts across the university for a multifaceted approach to problems in operations research at the Center for the Management of Systemic Risk, the Center for Financial and Business Analytics, and the Columbia Business Analytics Initiative.
     
  • Columbia University
    With a PhD from Columbia, you’ll join one of the world’s most international, accomplished networks of researchers and alumni. Your Ivy League credential will open doors wherever you go and the relationships you build here will accelerate your career.

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