EINBRAIN LAB
Blog Post

Engineering Doctoral Student Opening: AI, XR, and Human-Centered Systems (Fall 2027)

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Engineer AI Products for Real-World Impact

The Einbrain Lab at Texas A&M University is seeking a doctoral student to join us in Fall 2027. This is an engineering research opportunity for someone who wants to design, build, integrate, and rigorously evaluate AI and XR systems.

Einbrain Lab is an engineering lab focused on AI-driven XR systems and human-AI collaboration. You will develop engineering expertise in AI-enabled software, interactive systems, and data-informed system evaluation. The assistantship is research in Einbrain Lab under Dr. Donggil Song’s supervision, aligned with NSF Award #2538780. The project context is AI-supported professional learning for pre-service mathematics teachers.

If you are excited by the question, “How can we engineer trustworthy AI and XR systems that improve human performance?” we would like to hear from you.

What You’ll Engineer

You will join a research environment where ideas move from technical questions to complete, validated products that people can use and benefit from in authentic contexts. Possible areas of contribution include:

  • Engineering AI-enabled software and adaptive interactive systems
  • Designing and developing XR interfaces and immersive environments
  • Integrating AI models, behavioral data, and human-centered interaction design into reliable, user-ready products
  • Designing experiments and analyzing system, interaction, and performance data to evaluate what works, for whom, and why

An Engineering Doctoral Experience

This position is a strong fit for someone who wants to design, develop, and evaluate human-centered AI and immersive systems as an engineering researcher. You will primarily contribute to the lab’s NSF-funded AI-math initiative while also having opportunities to collaborate on related work in human-AI collaboration, XR, cyberlearning, and intelligent interactive systems.

Rather than being limited to one role, you can develop as a researcher who connects engineering innovation, human needs, and empirical evidence: framing meaningful questions, building and testing systems, working with data, and communicating findings to technical and interdisciplinary audiences.

Who We’re Looking For

We welcome applicants from technical backgrounds, including:

  • Engineering, computer science, computer engineering, software engineering, electrical engineering, or a closely related technical field
  • Strong interest in AI systems, human-AI interaction, XR, interactive computing, data-intensive systems, or related engineering research
  • Interest in contributing to system architecture, product development, testing, data collection, and evidence-based evaluation
  • Excellent communication, collaboration, and writing skills

We especially value intellectual curiosity, sound engineering judgment, initiative, and a willingness to learn across disciplines.

What You’ll Do

  • Engineer and implement AI-driven interactive systems and research tools
  • Plan and support system testing, participant studies, data collection, data processing, and analysis
  • Develop, integrate, evaluate, and refine software and XR products with interdisciplinary project teams
  • Prepare research manuscripts, conference presentations, and project reports
  • Participate in the intellectual life of Einbrain Lab, including collaboration and student mentorship

Appointment and Start Date

  • Start term: Fall 2027
  • This is a grant-supported Graduate Assistant Research (GAR) appointment in Einbrain Lab, Department of Engineering Technology & Industrial Distribution, under the supervision of Dr. Donggil Song.
  • Admission is through the Interdisciplinary Engineering (ITDE) doctoral program.
  • Expected support is three years, as a standard full doctoral assistantship, with a stipend at the Engineering/ITDE GAR rate and resident tuition and required fees covered while the appointment is active. Renewal beyond that term depends on funding and satisfactory progress.
  • The appointment is contingent on admission to the ITDE doctoral program, satisfactory progress, and continued funding from NSF Award #2538780.
  • International applicants must meet ITDE admission requirements.

Start a Conversation

To start a conversation, email einbrain@tamu.edu with:

  • A brief statement of your research interests and why this opportunity resonates with you
  • Your CV or resume
  • One or two representative writing, research, design, or technical project samples (links are welcome)

When describing your background, please briefly address any hands-on experience or readiness you have in the areas above. If possible, share an example of a system you helped ship and an engineering decision you made.

Please include a short note about how your technical background or goals connect with Einbrain Lab’s engineering research and the AI-driven professional learning project. Informal inquiries are welcome. Applicants selected to move forward will be guided on the relevant ITDE doctoral-program application process.

Donggil Song, Ph.D.
Director, Einbrain Lab
Department of Engineering Technology & Industrial Distribution
Texas A&M University

Project reference: NSF Award #2538780