(All positions last updated on Sept 28, 2025)
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Ph.D. Students
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Multiple positions available for Spring '26 and Fall '26 admissions! Students will be fully sponsored through research funding or TA positions. Prospective students should submit an application to the University of Houston Computer Science Department. More information is available at https://uh.edu/nsm/computer-science/graduate/admissions/. In your application, please mention my name! I keep things updated regularly, so as long as you see this information on this page, that means positions are available and you should not contact me about these availabilities.
To keep things consistent for all applicants, I do not interview or respond to requests before I receive your full application. Once I receive your application (from the UH system), I will contact applicants and schedule interviews. With that said, I do read every email and inquiry carefully and thoroughly, and will keep your interests in mind if a suitable position arises. Please do not hesitate to reach out if you have any questions.
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What do we look for in a candidate?
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Academic excellence
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Genuine interests in research to advance technology and humanity
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Strong communication skills for both technical and non-technical materials
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Experience with LLM, vision, and robotics is a big plus
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Thank you so much for your interest in our lab. We look forward to connecting with you!
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(Don't forget to check out Pam's PhD application package on the Resources page!)
Post-Doc Scholars
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(The timeline for this position is currently postponed due to construction in the lab space. Interested candidates are welcome to reach out and we can discuss possible timelines.)
We seek candidates to fill 1-2 postdoctoral positions in Human-Robot Interaction (HRI). The group develops algorithms and systems to enable workers to learn new skills and upskill, with applications in healthcare. Our methods include human mental modeling through reinforcement learning, theory of mind, human-centered design, LLM, computer vision, explainable AI, and robotics. Post-docs will have the opportunity to lead research projects, develop independent research, and contribute to grant proposals.
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Qualifications:
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Ph.D. degree in computer science or a related field;
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Experience with robotics, LLM, and computer vision.
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Duration: minimum 12 months; renewable upon satisfactory progress.
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How to apply:
Interested applicants should contact Professor Pam Qian (pqian@uh.edu) and provide a CV, the names and contact information of three or more references, and the expected start date.
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The positions are available immediately, and applications will be accepted until these positions are filled.
Lab Manager / Software Engineers
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(This position is currently not available.)
We seek candidates to fill one full-time position as a lab manager/software engineer in our lab. The successful candidate will contribute to our efforts to develop algorithms and systems to enable workers to learn new skills and upskill, with applications in healthcare and education. The candidate is welcome to participate in the group’s research efforts, depending on their interests. This position is flexible depending on the qualifications of the applicants (e.g., candidates with a PhD can be considered for a combined postdoctoral position).
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Qualifications:
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B.S., M.S., or Ph.D. degree in computer science, electrical engineering, or a related field;
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Solid programming skills, particularly in Python;
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Experience with robotics, LLM, AI, and/or computer vision.
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Duration: minimum 9 months; renewable upon satisfactory progress.
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How to apply:
Interested applicants should contact Professor Pam Qian (pqian@uh.edu) and provide a CV or resume, the names and contact information of two or more references, and the expected start date.
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This position is available immediately, and applications will be accepted until this position is filled.
Undergraduate and Master's Students
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We always welcome motivated undergraduate and MS students to work with us! The easiest way to join is to pitch your research idea to Pam -- we welcome ideas on robotics for healthcare. You are encouraged to reach out to the current members in the group to learn about what they are working on and how you might be able to contribute. You can find their information on the Research page. Undergraduate students, both from and outside of UH, are encouraged to apply for Summer Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) at UH. You should reach out to me to discuss your application.
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Qualifications:​
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Solid programming skills, particularly in Python;
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Experience with robotics, LLM, and computer vision is a plus.
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Duration: minimum one semester; can commit at least 10 hours a week.
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How to apply:
Interested applicants should contact Professor Pam Qian (pqian@uh.edu) and provide a CV or resume, research interests, and transcript. ​