Joining Lab

Our lab has multiple openings for the upcoming term—please check the available positions below.

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Postdoc Researcher

I welcome inquiries about a postdoctoral researcher position.

There is no institution-wide deadline for postdoc positions. If you're interested, please contact me directly.

Ph.D. Student

I only accept highly self-motivated Ph.D. students who have prior research experience, preferably those who have previously worked with me. Preferred qualifications (with university admission requirements met) include:

  • Highly self-motivated, easy to communicate, passionate about research, and capable of independent thinking.
  • Interested in AI/LLM, SE, and HCI, with a solid theoretical foundation.
  • Has a strong ability to translate concepts into practical code. Industry experience is a plus.
  • Strong English reading, writing, and communication skills. The university requires a minimum language proficiency of IELTS 6.5 or TOEFL 80.
  • GPA ranking in the top 30% of a 985 university or top 10% of a 211 university (or equivalent institutions).
  • Or, first-author publication in a top-tier journal or conference (CCF-A).
  • Or, other prestigious awards with significant recognition (such as competition award).

Please refer to the Application Process and FAQs for more details on how to apply and to find answers to common questions.

If these conditions are not met, consider interning with me or applying as a M.S. student first.

M.S. Student

For Master's students, I don't have a strict requirement for prior research experience working with me, but it significantly increases the chances of admission. Preferred qualifications (with university admission requirements met) include:

  • Highly self-motivated, easy to communicate, passionate about research, and capable of independent thinking.
  • Interested in AI/LLM, SE, and HCI, with a solid theoretical foundation.
  • Has a strong ability to translate concepts into practical code. Industry experience is a plus.
  • Strong English reading, writing, and communication skills. The university requires a minimum language proficiency of IELTS 6.5 or TOEFL 80.
  • GPA ranking in the top 985 university or top 30% of a 211 university (or equivalent institutions).
  • Or, first-author publication in a top-tier journal or conference (CCF-A).
  • Or, other prestigious awards with significant recognition (such as competition award).

Please refer to the Application Process and FAQs for more details on how to apply and to find answers to common questions.

If these conditions are not met, consider interning with me first.

Intern / Visiting / Undergraduate Students

I welcome full-time internship, visiting researchers from other institutions, and motivated undergraduate students, as long as (1) the period is at least 3 months long, and (2) there's a good research fit.

Please refer to the Application Process and FAQs for more details on how to apply and to find answers to common questions.

Research Assistant (RA)

I am seeking full-time / part-time research assistant from CUHK (Shenzhen) or other institutions.

Key Duties and Responsibilities

  • Design, develop, and evaluate prototypes for human-AI collaboration in software development
  • Conduct literature reviews and help synthesise the state of the art
  • Support the preparation and execution of user studies and empirical evaluations
  • Analyse qualitative and quantitative data from experiments and developer interactions
  • Contribute to scientific publications at top-tier venues

Qualifications and Requirements:

  • A degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, Information Systems, or related field (Master’s degree preferred).
  • Programming: Strong software engineering skills; proficiency in Python and/or TypeScript; experience building non-trivial software projects
  • AI Tools: Hands-on experience with current AI-assisted development tools (e.g., GitHub Copilot, Cursor, Claude Code, Codex) and/or LLM APIs (OpenAI, Anthropic, Gemini, etc.)
  • HCI Methods (plus): Familiarity with user study design, qualitative analysis, or UX evaluation methods is a strong advantage
  • Research Interest: Curiosity about Software Engineering and Human-Computer INteraction; willingness to engage with academic literature
  • Language: Proficient in English (written and spoken)

Please refer to the Application Process and FAQs for more details on how to apply and to find answers to common questions.

Application Process

Here is how I recruit and admit incoming position in our lab:

By Applying

The applicant first emails me ( )with the subject line "[Type of Application] + [Name]" and include the following information in the content (Chinese is fine, English is preferred):

  1. Briefly introduce yourself and any background or experience in SE or HCI or AI (e.g., coursework, research, projects)?
  2. Why are you interested in doing research?
  3. [Not required for RA] Why are you interested in our lab?
  4. [Not required for RA] Are there particular areas of interest you have in SE, HCI, or AI? I'm looking for interests, experiences, and problems you care about.

Please also attach the following documents:

  • CV and transcript (B.S. & M.S.).
  • [Highly Recommended for Ph.D. and M.S.] 1/2-pages statement of purpose written in English. This is the most important component that highlights your research direction and interest in a logical and convincing manner. Your answers to (1)-(4) could be brief if there's a significant overlap with the statement.
  • Copies of qualification documents. Representative publications, awards, patents, or links to popular open-source projects that demonstrate your qualifications and research potential.

Feel free to follow up with me in two or three weeks if you haven't heard back, as I may be busy with other commitments.

By Interview

For applicants who pass the document review round, I will invite you to a 1-hour one-on-one meeting. Please prepare a 15–20 minute self-introduction, followed by a Q&A session to help me better understand your background, motivation, and interests.

Unfortunately, due to the high volume of applications and limited availability, I may not be able to provide individual feedback to applicants who are not invited for an interview. Feel free to apply again in the future when you have more research experience or a clearer research direction. I am willing to review your application again.

By Decision

You will receive an email with the decision and next steps if admitted. For Ph.D. and M.S. students, an additional application to the university is required, and the admission decision is made by the university. For RA, interns, and visiting students, the decision is made by me directly.

FAQ

Common questions about the stipends, internships, duration, etc. are answered below.

What are the scholarship, living stipend, allowance, or salary for the position?

  • Ph.D. students: The university offers a full scholarship that covers tuition and provides stipend (RMB 54,000 per year [ official website ]). The stipend is sufficient to cover living expenses in Shenzhen.
  • M.S. students: This program is self-funded, including an annual tuition fee of RMB 140,000 [ official website ]. However, outstanding research contributions will be rewarded.
  • Intern / Visiting / Undergraduate students: This program is unpaid. However, outstanding research contributions will be rewarded.
  • RA: Salary will be competitive and commensurate with qualifications and experience. Appointments will be made under the establishment of CUHK(Shenzhen), and statutory benefits will be provided in accordance with prevailing labor laws.

What is the expected graduation timeline or contract duration for the position?

  • Ph.D. students: average 4-5 years [ official website ]
  • M.S. students: 2 years [ official website ]
  • Intern / Visiting / Undergraduate students: There is no fixed duration, but it should be at least three months.
  • RA: It is flexible and can be negotiated.

Does the lab allow internships?

Yes, I encourage internships that align with your research interests, and I will help connect you with suitable industry if you demonstrate strong research capabilities.

Does the lab support academic visits and exchanges?

Yes, I encourage you to visit top universities and laboratories. If you demonstrate strong research capabilities, I will be happy to provide recommendations and support for your visits.

Will attendance be monitored? What is the lab environment like?

  • Ph.D., M.S., Intern, Visiting, and Undergraduate: No, I do not monitor attendance. In my view, attendance does not equate to high research quality. You should find the approach that works best for your research. Ultimately, research should be self-motivated and driven by personal responsibility for your future career. My role is to mentor and help you build a successful path.
  • RA: I can offer some flexibility regarding attendance, but as this is a paid position, regular attendance is expected.

What is the start date for the RA position, and where will it be based?

The start date can be as soon as possible or by mutual agreement. The position will be based at the CUHK campus in Shenzhen.