Join Us

Our TrustAI lab develops responsible AI systems that make reliable and ethical decisions. We tackle cutting-edge problems with real-world impact:

  • Responsible and Trustworthy AI: Developing AI systems that are fair, interpretable, and aligned with human values.
  • Causal Inference: 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.

Fully Funded Positions Available!

We offer Funded Research Assistantship (RA) positions for motivated graduate students, including tuition waiver, competitive monthly stipend, health insurance coverage, conference travel funding, and 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, and develop both technical expertise and professional skills.

Clemson University is classified as an R1 (Very High Research Activity) university, ranked among the Top 40 public universities and within the Top 80 universities nationwide in the United States.

Candidate Expectation

  • 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)
  • Ability to read and understand research papers
  • Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills
  • Collaborative mindset and intellectual curiosity

Application Process

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 transcripts 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

If we determine there’s a good fit, you’ll be encouraged to submit a formal application to the Computer Engineering program at Main Clemson Campus, select Intelligent Systems as your specialty area, and mention my name (Yongkai Wu) in your statement of purpose and Potential Faculty Advisor Selection.

Applying to more than one program? Clemson University allows you to apply to more than one program. Applications at Clemson are customized to meet the needs of each specific program and are not interchangeable between programs. After submitting your first application, you can return to the online admissions portal (using your same user ID and password) and pick your alternate graduate program.

Program Information

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