PhD opening

I am hoping to hire a new PhD student this coming cycle to join my group within Dartmouth's Visual Computing Lab. My group works on a variety of topics in computer graphics, including rendering, appearance capture, modeling and fabrication, and computational photography. I am broadly interested in all strong applicants with a passion for research on these or related topics. See the main page of my website for recent projects/publications from the talented students in my group.

Cross-disciplinary project and team

This year I am particularly interested in a diverse pool of candidates for interdisciplinary research at the intersection of graphics, computational physics, atmospheric sciences, and non-classical light/particle transport. This project will extend our recent work on non-classical transport and light transport in granular materials to address practical problems spanning the aforementioned fields.

The work will be done by my team at Dartmouth College in close collaboration with a team lead by Prof. Richard Vasques at The Ohio State University (applied mathematics and computational physics), and Dr. Anthony Davis at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (atmospheric sciences). The project provides opportunities for cross-supervision/collaboration between these three institutions, and internship opportunities at JPL.

Qualifications and Diversity

Given the interdisciplinary nature of this project, candidates with background and interest in any of these overlapping fields are encouraged to apply. Our lab's research tends to have a strong mathematical component, which we apply towards developing efficient computational algorithms. At least some programming experience (C++/Matlab/Mathematica/Python) is required, research experience is a plus, as is experience in rendering/light transport simulation.

I am committed to growing a diverse, interdisciplinary, and inclusive research group. I am interested in applicants who are able to work effectively with students, faculty, and staff from all backgrounds, including but not limited to: racial and ethnic minorities, women, individuals who identify with LGBTQ+ communities, individuals with disabilities, individuals from any income background, and/or first generation college graduates. Moreover, I am seeking applicants who not only have the skills and passion for this research, but who also have a demonstrated ability and commitment to increasing diversity in STEM and computer science. Applicants should explain in their personal statement how their teaching, research, service, and/or life experiences prepare them to advance diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Applying

PhD applications are reviewed centrally by the Dartmouth CS department, so interested candidates should apply directly to the Dartmouth CS PhD program by the December 15, 2020 deadline.

Prospective applicants are welcome to reach out to me before applying – I'd love to schedule a Skype/Zoom call to learn more about your background and interests before the application deadline. The application form provides a field where you can specify faculty of interest, or with whom you have already communicated – please make sure to enter my name there.

You may also want to check out this FAQ with some of my general tips for increasing your chances of getting in.

Local synergies and opportunities

Beyond my own group, the Visual Computing Lab includes Prof. Bo Zhu's research group, as well as connections to faculty working in deep learning, robotics, and HCI. Our research program is reinforced by a unique Digital Arts program within the Computer Science department, links to Dartmouth's Thayer School of Engineering, and strong research collaborations with various industry partners. Dartmouth's Computer Science department is home to roughly 30 faculty members in research areas spanning graphics and vision, machine learning, digital art, security, computational biology, robotics, systems, and algorithms and theory. Dartmouth College, a member of the Ivy League, is located in Hanover, New Hampshire (on the Vermont border). Dartmouth has a beautiful, historic campus, located in a scenic area on the Connecticut River. Recreational opportunities abound in all four seasons.

New facilities

Dartmouth is constructing a new Center for Engineering and Computer Science. The building is set to open in Fall 2021, just in time for the new cohort of Fall 2021 incoming students to take advantage of the new facilities! The center will house the Computer Science department and the Thayer School of Engineering, along with the Magnuson Center for Entrepreneurship and Electron Microscope Facility. Check out the video below and read more details here.