Research and Assistantship Opportunities

The Blockchain Business Lab explores the implications of Blockchain technology for the business world. It engages students and industry partners to explore novel and timely business questions and solve challenging business problems in the blockchain space, and through these projects, to train future business leaders in the blockchain industry. 

Preferred qualifications:

• Stony Brook University undergraduate or graduate students or alums of any major

• Interested in learning about blockchain and working with large, complex data

• Programming skills of data analytics and data visualization, or web development skills to assist with data visualization

To apply to become a member of the Blockchain Business Lab, please visit https://www.stonybrook.edu/commcms/cef/BBL/index.php and click on "Applying to Dr. Jiang's research program." 

Student Research Awards  ($500 or $1,000) are available and criteria are listed at the bottom of the application form with nomination criteria. 

Students who wish to receive credits for the research experience should register for MBA 595 (Individual Directed Research), BUS 487 (Independent Research), BUS 488 (Internship), BUS 475 (Teaching Practicum), AMS 487 (Research in Applied Math), CSE 495 (Senior Honors Research Project), WSE 495 (WISE Honors Project/Thesis), and more  at HERE.  Students who wish to be mentored directly shall register a course with one or more credits. 

• This project will serve as a platform to connect blockchain enthusiasts in Stony Brook to collaborate and innovate in the blockchain and Web3 space. 

  • Goals: Explore the implications and develop applications of blockchain technology for the business, finance, and campus communities through faculty-student-industry collaborations.  

• Issues:

  • We aim to address several key issues through research and innovation in the blockchain space by integrating cryptos and Web3 with other tools and technologies:

  • Improve financial and blockchain literacy on campus and in local communities

  • Create better financial solutions for trading and investing 

  • Support the entrepreneurial ecosystem and small business communities

  • Enhance student educational and campus life experiences

  • You may join an existing project team or start a new project to address these issues by leveraging blockchain technology and resources in the blockchain space. Let's work together to help create a more open, fair, and engaging world!

• Interests / Preparation:

  • Fast learner, Passion for blockchain technology, Writing code or docs, Creative or Entrepreneurial, Leadership, and Dare to Dream BIG!

• The VIP Program allows students from all disciplines to take VIP Program Courses at 100+ to 600+ levels. This Program was established on a project-based model and unites undergraduates, graduate students, and faculty members in multidisciplinary teams that work on long-term projects in research, design, innovation and entrepreneurship.

To apply to join the VIP program, please visit the Vertically Integrated Projects Program - "Blockchain, Crypto, and Web3 in Business and Finance." 

As one of the missions of the Center of Entrepreneurial Finance, which I co-direct with Dr. Richard Chan,  we want to connect students and faculty to local entrepreneurs and social entrepreneurs to help build the entrepreneurial ecosystem on Long Island and New York State. Currently, two non-profit organizations recruit volunteers to support events, finance & accounting, and the web or social media presence of the organizations:

• The Asian-American Entrepreneur Association (AAEA) is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization that bridges innovators, entrepreneurs, investors, artists and educators together to create value for members  ‒ Asian American businesses, start-ups and young entrepreneurs in their specialty field. Apply HERE.  

• The Friends of Women in Finance Network in Greater New York (FWFN) supports research collaboration and career development of female academics and researchers in Greater New York. It organizes symposiums and conferences that bring together academics and practitioners in finance in Greater New York. Apply HERE. 

Why Volunteer with Us?

• Gain Experience: Enhance your resume with hands-on administrative and organizational skills.

• Make an Impact: Contribute to meaningful projects that benefit members of the organization.

• Network: Connect with business owners, startup founders, finance professors, or finance researchers to develop your professional passion.

What You'll Do:

• Support the Executive Committee

• Support the Accounting and Finance Department

• Support the organization's events

Who We're Looking For:

• Fast learner, strong work ethic, and attention to details

• Strong organizational and communication skills

• Passion to connect and contribute to the business or academic community

• Commit to work 10 hours or more monthly

We seek research volunteers interested in studying and promoting financial literacy on Stony Brook campus. 

The research volunteer will help design and survey members in the community to assess financial literacy, including basic, advanced investing, and blockchain literacy, and summarize the survey results in slides and a short video, and/or collect articles and create videos on financial literacy for the community. 

Preferred qualifications:

• Stony Brook University undergraduate or graduate students, with basic understanding of personal finance

• Interested in learning about financial literacy and presenting it to audience via articles and videos

To apply, click on "Applying to Dr. Jiang's research program" and select, among the research topic, "Personal finance and financial literacy." 

Excellent performer can be nominated for research awards  ($500) at the end of the semester. 

I am a finance professor in the College of Business and an affiliated faculty at AMS with the eligibility to supervise or co-supervise AMS PhD dissertation. I am seeking PhD student volunteers to collaborate on research projects using large and complex financial and blockchain data.

Preferred qualifications:

(1) AMS PhD program first or second year students

(2) Interests in pursuing research grants or graduate fellowship to support 2-3 years of graduate study

(3) Interests in working with big, complex financial and blockchain data using machine learning models

(4) Proficiency in SQL, Python, R, or other statistical software

(5) Willingness to assist in data collection, data analysis, data visualization, and relevant community outreach programs (such as workshops)

Benefits to you

(1)    I will mentor and work with you to apply research grants or graduate fellowship to support your graduate study in the dissertation stage (3rd year or after);

(2)    Excellent performer can be nominated for student research excellence awards ($500 or $1,000 per semester) at the Blockchain Business Lab;

(3)    Excellent performer will receive recommendations for relevant internship or job positions.

This position is unpaid before research grants or fellowship are funded.

To apply, send the following to Professor Danling Jiang at danling.jiang@stonybrook.edu

• Your resume

• One-page essay that includes:

  • Your personal and professional experiences that contributed to your motivation and preparation to pursue your PhD

  • Your career aspirations and future goals