Opportunities at UCF AI MIND Lab

The AI MIND Lab offers research opportunities for qualified Master’s and Ph.D. students in Computer Science at UCF through approved academic or structured research mechanisms. Our program emphasizes cutting-edge research, strong methodological foundations, sustained engagement, collaboration, and high-quality publications.

Ph.D. Students

Ph.D. students typically join the lab through the official UCF Computer Science Ph.D. program and may participate in directed research through CAP7919. For current degree and admission requirements, please visit the official UCF Graduate Studies page. Ph.D. students are expected to work toward graduating with at least two peer-reviewed conference papers in leading venues, such as NeurIPS, CVPR, or MICCAI, and two full-length journal articles in high-impact venues. These are AI MIND Lab research expectations and are separate from the university’s official degree requirements. All Ph.D. students must maintain active and sustained research engagement throughout the year. Each student, regardless of full-time or part-time status, must lead one primary research project annually, contribute meaningfully to grant and proposal development, meet established project milestones and deadlines, and communicate progress, challenges, and anticipated delays promptly. Full-time Ph.D. students must also contribute to two collaborative side projects annually. Ph.D. students who become part-time because of an internship or another approved external commitment must contribute to one collaborative side project annually. Project assignments, responsibilities, milestones, and deadlines will be established in writing. Internships and other external commitments do not remove these minimum research requirements. Any requested modification must be discussed in advance and approved in writing by the principal investigator. 

Fall Admission

• December 1: Final deadline for international applicants

• July 1: Final deadline for domestic applicants

Spring Admission

• December 1: Final deadline for domestic applicants

• July 1: Final deadline for international applicants

Master’s Students

Master’s students may participate in the lab through CAP6908 (Independent Study), which provides structured research experience and direct mentorship. CAP6908 is typically the initial pathway for Master’s students interested in joining the lab. Students are expected to define and develop a research project aligned with the lab’s research directions and work toward submission to a top-tier peer-reviewed venue. Projects initiated during the spring semester typically target venues such as NeurIPS or ICML, while projects initiated during the fall semester generally align with MICCAI or related conferences in medical imaging and AI for healthcare.

Participation Requirements

Because our research involves sensitive clinical data and long-term collaborative projects, the lab does not accept volunteer researchers. All students must be formally affiliated with UCF through an academic program or an approved structured research mechanism to ensure appropriate commitment, continuity, and compliance with institutional requirements.

Students are expected to maintain professionalism, attend scheduled meetings, complete assigned responsibilities, meet established milestones and deadlines, communicate progress and challenges promptly, and contribute substantively to the lab’s research activities. Attending meetings alone does not constitute active participation.

Research assistantships and other paid appointments are time-limited and are not automatically renewed. Renewal and continued funding depend on satisfactory research progress, completion of assigned responsibilities, consistent attendance and communication, adherence to established milestones and deadlines, availability of funding, and compliance with UCF policies. Students who repeatedly miss meetings or deadlines, fail to complete assigned work, remain unresponsive, or demonstrate insufficient progress may not have their appointments renewed and may not continue in the lab. Any employment decision will be made in accordance with the terms of the student’s appointment and applicable university policies.

Funding Notice: The AI MIND Lab does not currently have funded Research Assistant (RA), Graduate Assistant (GA), or Teaching Assistant (TA) positions available for new students. The lab welcomes inquiries only from UCF students who have independent funding or financial support through their academic program. Please do not email to inquire about assistantships or other financial support; individual funding inquiries may not receive a response.