Open Positions

• PhD Research Assistant Position
• Undergraduate or Graduate Research Assistant Position (Part-time)
• High School Student Summer Internship

PhD Research Assistant Position

We are looking for several excellent computer science PhD candidates to join Wireless Networking Research Laboratory, and participate in several exciting research projects conducted in this lab (including wireless networking, mobile computing, big data analytics, security and privacy, social networking, hardware design and instrument, theory and algorithms). Notice that, for the RA positions, we only consider PhD applicants, not MS applicants. We do not offer MS degree to PhD applicants.

The RA position is highly competitive. We give strong preference to the candidate meeting ALL the following criteria:

(1) Self-motivated for strong PhD research;
(2) Solid background (with several advanced courses) on algorithms (and mathematics), operating systems, and one of the following areas (networks, artificial intelligence, data mining, computer graphics, cryptography);
(3) Industry or research experience on one of the following: wireless networking, mobile computing, big data analytics, security and privacy, cloud computing, embedded system or network programming;
(4) Creative, out-of-box thinking and critical thinking.

IIT's CS PhD program, according to PhDs.org, is ranked is 57-106 in evaluation of research productivity and student outcomes. IIT was featured as #24 on Newsweek's College Rankings 2012: Most Rigorous Schools list.

General Application Instructions:

• Step 1: Online official application: PhD Program. In the application form, please put wireless networks as your preferred research area and my name as your interested faculty. It is better that your mention joining our lab as your preference in your personal statement.
• PhD/MS Application Deadline: 09/01/20xx for Spring Admission, 1/15/20xx for Fall Admission. See the following link for detailed deadlines.
• Step 2: After you complete the online application, highly qualified PhD Research Assistant applicant should also email the following materials in a zip file to Prof. XiangYang Li at his email.
• Curriculum Vitae (also called Resume);
• 2-page Research Statement (focus on your interest, experience, and project that you propose to work on);
• 2 samples of your best publications or your publication webpage URL with downloadable publications;
• Three referees contact or recommendation letters (optional if it has been submitted to graduate school);
• Copy of undergraduate and graduate transcripts (optional if it has been submitted to graduate school).

In the email, please mention that you have completed online application, so that we can actually begin the evaluation of your application.

Notice: We do not consider anyone with MS degree as MS candidate, and we do not offer MS degree to PhD candidate.

Notice: Before you contact me, you should read the following information:

· PhD thesis research represents a substantial work. You may want to read Useful Things to Know About Ph.D. Thesis Research by H.T. Kung at Harvard.

· Choosing a PhD thesis advisor is a very important decision for a graduate student. Here are some suggested readings:

1. How to Choose a Thesis Advisor by Michael C. Loui at UIUC.
2. How to Succeed in Graduate School from ACM Crossroads student magazine.
3. How to Be a Good Graduate Student from the Caltech Grad Handbook.

· Before you contact me, please check out my research interests and read through the following. This will save both your time and mine.

1. If you are working with another faculty member in our department, please do not contact me.
2. Research is enjoyable most of the times; however, sometimes it may not be as smooth as you thought. Please make sure you have the dedication and determination to carry out research.
3. On average, we need to work about 60 hours a week on research related activities. You have to be prepared for this. Hard working is a necessary condition for success, but not sufficient though, :-).
4. My research centers around better algorithms for various optimization problems in computer networks (most recently, in cyber-physical systems, wireless ad hoc networks, sensor networks, and peer-to-peer networks). In order to thrive in my group, you need to have a strong ability in network, systems, algorithm design and analysis, and a broad knowledge in other areas.
5. You will also need to be able to carry out implementations effectively. Proficiency in (not just knowing) C or C++ is a must. It is also better that you know how to program in Android or iOS, TinyOS, NS-2, MATLAB, CPLEX.

Undergraduate or Graduate Research Assistant Position (Part-time)

We are looking for some excellent computer science undergraduate or graduate student to join our research Laboratory and participate in our research projects. It is a part-time position: about 10 hours per week at about $10/hour and about 10 weeks per semester.

We give strong preference to the candidate who meets the following criteria:

(1) Self-motivated with wireless networking research or mobile application development;

(2) Good C/Java programming skills; or proficient in iOS and/or Android Programming.

(3) Good knowledge on algorithms, operating systems and computer networks;

(4) Team-oriented, and deadline-oriented

If you are interested to apply, please email your resume to me. If we see your background as a good fit, then we will contact you. We apologize that we will not be able to reply each of you, but we will announce here once a candidate is chosen.

High School Student Summer Internship

Our Research Lab also looks for a high school student or a few students who have strong interest in computer science to work as a summer intern. The intern position is 8 weeks with 10 hours per week and $10 per hour. We prefer a student with some previous knowledge on computer programming experiences (such as Java, C, PHP, Java Script, etc).

These positions, as part of the educational outreach activities of some funded NSF projects to K-12 students, minority groups and local communities. To sustain the nation's economic and scientific leadership, the USA must attract students into engineering. The National Science Board reports that the undergraduate engineering enrollment declined 18% from 1983 to 1999 and then rebounded from 2000 to 2002 but is still 20,000 shy of the 1983 figure, despite a 12% increase in the nation's population and job market. The goal of this summer internship is to inspire and attract talented high school students to computer science field, by participating in an interesting programming project.

If you are interested to apply, please email your resume and a 1-page summer intern proposal to Prof. XiangYang Li with subject “Summer Internship Application, for Prof. XiangYang Li”. If we see your background as a good fit, then we will contact you. We apologize that we will not be able to reply each of you, but we will announce here once the positions are filled.