How to Join My Lab

Thank you for your interest in the Living with Robots Laboratory!

Please read this page carefully before reaching out.

PhD Students

I recruit PhD students exclusively through the official UT Austin Computer Science admissions process, which occurs once per year with applications due in December.

To ensure fairness and to avoid creating misleading expectations, I do not provide pre-application evaluations, assess candidacy by email, or offer individualized feedback outside the formal admissions process.

When reviewing PhD applications, I consider the full applicant pool and place particular emphasis on:

  • Strong academic preparation
  • Prior research experience
  • Publications in major robotics venues such as ICRA, IROS, HRI, or RO-MAN

If you decide to apply and are interested in working with me, please list me as a prospective advisor in the application system.

Postdoctoral Researchers

I hire postdoctoral researchers on a case-by-case basis, typically tied to specific funded projects.

Strong candidates generally have a completed PhD in robotics, AI, or a closely related field, along with a strong publication record and experience building or deploying real robotic systems.

If you believe your background aligns closely with my work, you may reach out by email with a concise description of your research and interests.

Master's Students

I do work with masters students in my laboratory. Master's students should already be admitted to an in-person master's program prior to reaching out to me, and must do a semester of work in my laboratory before I approve thesis supervision (except in cases where this is impossible, such as due to program requirements or time in the program). If this describes you, send me the following:
  • A CV.
  • An unofficial transcript.
  • 1 paragraph explaining your motivation to pursue research.
  • 1 paragraph explaining why my laboratory is the correct laboratory for you.

Undergraduate Students

I participate in the Freshman Research Initiative . There are two routes into this program: If you are a UT Austin undergraduate who is eligible for FRI, you should apply to the FRI program. These programs provide a structured pathway into my lab. Please see the FRI website for details and apply directly through the program.

Because I already supervise a full cohort of undergraduates through these programs, I very rarely take undergraduates from other universities, or host short-term or summer visitors.

If you are an undergraduate student from a different institution who wants to participate in my laboratory - even though I rarely take on students from other universities, please have your research supervisor reach out to me directly to coordinate a long-term plan.

UT Austin students ineligible for FRI, send me the following:
  • A CV.
  • An unofficial transcript.
  • 1 paragraph explaining your motivation to pursue research.
  • 1 paragraph explaining why my laboratory is the correct laboratory for you.
Bear in mind that there are 5 robotics laboratories participating in FRI, and 17 laboratories run by Texas Robotics Core Faculty. These labs all take undergraduates.

High School Students

Due to time constraints I do not supervise high school students. I also do not provide matching to other laboratories or other similar services.

If you later matriculate at UT Austin as an undergraduate, please apply to the FRI program.

Teaching Assistant Positions

Teaching assistant positions in the Computer Science Department are managed centrally by the department.

The courses I teach are part of the Freshman Research Initiative, which does not allocate TA positions.

I do not have TA positions to offer and am not involved in TA hiring decisions.

I appreciate your interest in the Living with Robots Laboratory and wish you success in your research pursuits.