Join Our Research Team

Thank you for your interest in joining our research team! Please follow the guidelines below to ensure your application receives proper consideration.

Research Focus & Opportunities

Our lab is at the forefront of developing responsible AI systems that make responsible, reliable, and ethical decisions. We tackle cutting-edge problems with real-world impact.

Current Research Areas

  • Responsible and Trustworthy AI: Developing AI systems that are fair, interpretable, and aligned with human values.
  • Causal Inference and Machine Learning: Understanding cause-and-effect relationships in complex data systems.
  • Large Language Models: Advancing the capabilities and safety of next-generation AI models.
  • AI Safety and Alignment: Building AI systems that behave as intended and remain controllable.
  • AI for Natural and Social Sciences: Applying AI techniques to advance research in scientific domains.

Opportunities for Undergraduate Students

Research Opportunities

Undergraduate students can engage in cutting-edge research through:

  • Directed Research Projects: Collaborate with graduate students and faculty on active research.
  • Summer Research Programs: Full-time summer research with potential for conference publications.
  • Honor's Thesis Projects: Year-long independent research projects leading to thesis defense.
  • Industry Collaborations: Work on real-world problems with industry partners.

Benefits

  • Hands-on experience with state-of-the-art AI/ML techniques.
  • Opportunity to co-author research papers and present at top AI conferences.
  • Strong preparation for graduate school or industry careers.
  • Mentorship and career guidance.
  • Skills in Python, deep learning frameworks, and research methodologies.

Requirements

  • Strong academic performance (GPA 3.5+ preferred).
  • Coursework in programming, machine learning, or related fields.
  • Enthusiasm for research and learning.
  • Commitment to dedicating at least 10 hours per week to research.

Application Process

Send an email to yongkaw@clemson.edu with:

  • Your resume and unofficial transcript.
  • A brief description of your research interests and career goals.
  • Available time commitment and preferred start date.

Opportunities for Graduate Students

Available Positions

We offer Funded Research Assistantship (RA) positions for motivated graduate students, including:

  • Tuition waiver.
  • Competitive monthly stipend.
  • Health insurance coverage.
  • Conference travel funding.
  • Access to high-performance computing resources.

Research Environment

Our lab provides a collaborative and supportive environment where students:

  • Work on high-impact research with real-world applications.
  • Collaborate with leading researchers in AI/ML.
  • Present findings at top-tier conferences (NeurIPS, ICML, ICLR, AAAI, etc.).
  • Engage with industry partners and government agencies.
  • Develop both technical expertise and professional skills.

Qualifications

Technical Requirements:

  • Strong foundation in machine learning and deep learning.
  • Proficient programming skills in Python and deep learning frameworks (PyTorch, TensorFlow).
  • Solid mathematical background (linear algebra, statistics, optimization).

Research Skills:

  • Ability to read and understand research papers.
  • Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities.
  • Experience with experimental design and evaluation.

Soft Skills:

  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
  • Collaborative mindset and teamwork abilities.
  • Intellectual curiosity and openness to feedback.

Application Process

Step 1: Initial Contact

Before submitting a formal application, please send the following materials (combined in a single PDF) to yongkaw@clemson.edu:

Required Materials:

  • Detailed resume/CV.
  • Undergraduate and/or graduate transcripts (unofficial acceptable).

Optional but Recommended:

  • GRE/TOEFL scores (if available).
  • Publications, preprints, or technical reports.
  • GitHub/GitLab portfolio showcasing coding projects.
  • Relevant coursework or project descriptions.

Step 2: Formal Application Submission

If we determine there's a good fit, you'll be encouraged to submit a formal application:

  1. Apply to the Computer Engineering program at Main Clemson Campus.
  2. Select Intelligent Systems as your specialty area.
  3. Mention my name (Dr. Yongkai Wu) in your statement of purpose.
  4. Email me after submitting your formal application.

Ph.D. Program Information

About Clemson University & ECE Department

University Excellence

Clemson University, founded in 1889, is consistently ranked among the top public universities in the nation:

  • Ranked 27th best national public university by U.S. News & World Report (2019).
  • Classified as "R1: Doctoral Universities - Very high research activity" by Carnegie Classification.
  • Beautiful campus in Clemson, South Carolina with strong school spirit and community.

ECE Department Strengths

The Holcombe Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering has a rich history since 1933:

  • Over 50 distinguished faculty members.
  • Multiple IEEE Fellows and endowed chairs.
  • Strong industry partnerships and research collaborations.
  • State-of-the-art facilities and computing resources.

Learn More:

Ready to make an impact through responsible AI research? We'd love to hear from you!