Join Our Lab
We are always looking for motivated individuals passionate about edge AI and embedded systems. Explore opportunities below.
Why UC Merced
- Dynamic and Growing: The youngest UC campus (est. 2005), recently designated as an R1 research institution (2025)
- Strong Rankings: U.S. News #58 overall (#26 among public universities), CSRankings #74 (#7 in high-performance computing, #14 in mobile computing)
- Prime Location: 2 hours to Silicon Valley, 1.5 hours to Yosemite National Park
- Affordable Living: Significantly lower cost of living compared to other UC campuses
General Information
For all inquiries, please include "Prospective Student - [Position Type]" in your email subject line. We strive to respond to all serious inquiries within 2 weeks. Due to high volume, we may not be able to respond to every email individually, but all applications are carefully reviewed.
We are committed to fostering an inclusive and diverse research environment. We encourage applications from individuals of all backgrounds, particularly those underrepresented in computing.
PhD Students
Our PhD recruitment for the 2025–2026 cycle has concluded. Please check back later for future opportunities!
What we offer:
- Full funding through research or teaching assistantships (~$30k annual stipend)
- Full UC system benefits
- Opportunities to publish in top-tier venues
- Collaboration with leading industrial partners
- Career development mentorship
Additional funding opportunities:
Applicants are also encouraged to apply for funding opportunities including:
Requirements:
- Review UCM Application Requirements (international students: see additional requirements)
- Research interests aligned with our projects
- Strong candidates typically have:
- First-author publications/submissions, or
- Extensive industry experience, and
- M.S. degree (exceptional undergraduates with research experience are encouraged to apply)
How to apply:
- Submit application through UCM Graduate Application
- Mention PI's name in your application
- Applications will be reviewed after the December deadline
Master's, Undergraduate and High School Students
We are always excited to work with motivated young researchers interested in joining our team. Due to the large number of inquiries and limited capacity, however, we are unable to accommodate all interested students. Please review the requirements below carefully before reaching out.
What we offer:
- Mentorship from faculty and PhD students
- Hands-on research experience
- Opportunities for publications and industry collaboration
- Technical skills development
Funding opportunities:
Students are also encouraged to apply for funding opportunities including:
Requirements:
Due to limited capacity, we recruit only a small number of students each semester. Competitive candidates typically demonstrate the following:
- Strong academic performance (e.g., high GPA, honors) OR strong technical skills aligned with our research interests, demonstrated through projects or prior research experience
- Strong motivation to learn and pursue meaningful research outcomes in EE/CS/related fields
- Ability to work independently and persistently on challenging problems
- Expected commitment: 10-15 hrs/week during the semester and 30 hrs/week during the summer
How to apply:
Visiting Students
We welcome visiting scholars from U.S. and international institutions.
What we offer:
- J-1 visa support from UCM
- Mentorship from faculty and PhD students
- Hands-on research experience
- Opportunities for publications and industry collaboration
- Technical skills development
Requirements:
- Currently enrolled in undergraduate/M.S. program at another university
- Clear research proposal aligned with lab interests
- Self-funded or external funding (we might be able to assist with funding search for domestic students)
- Minimum 3-6 month commitment
How to apply:
-
Email xiaofanyu@ucmerced.edu with your CV, unofficial transcript, and a 1-page research proposal describing a potential project aligned with our research (see our projects and publications)
- Also include in your email: proposed duration, timeline (typically 3-6 months), and funding status (self-funded or other sources).
- Apply at least 3-6 months before intended start date