Interested in Joining Us?

Data Intelligence and Reasoning Lab (DIRLab) is an active research group in the Computer Science Department at New York University Shanghai. We aim to develop accurate, universal, trustworthy, and efficient machine learning algorithms with theoretical properties to extract valuable insights, patterns, and knowledge from high-impact data problems, addressing challenges across multiple domains:

  • Large Language Models: Multimodal understanding and generation, retrieval-augmented generation, post-training optimization, agentic reasoning, autonomous agents, and conversational AI.

  • Graph Machine Learning: Graph foundation models, graph RAG, graph learning, graph neural networks, graph pre-training, knowledge graph reasoning, and graph recommendation systems.

  • Trustworthy Machine Learning: Adversarial attacks, defense mechanisms, AI safety, responsible AI, and interpretable AI systems.

  • Sequence Modeling: Sequential and session-based recommendation, time-series analysis.

  • AI+X: AI+X (e.g., biology, healthcare, finance, education), with a focus on practical deployments and interdisciplinary impact.

Why NYU Shanghai?

  • NYU Shanghai is one of the three degree-granting campuses of New York University (alongside New York and Abu Dhabi). NYU is ranked 25th in the U.S. (U.S. News).

  • The Department of Computer Science at NYU is ranked 20th in the U.S. according to CSRankings.

  • Located in the renowned Pudong New District of Shanghai, China’s largest and most prosperous city.

PhD Applications

(We have multiple positions for Fall every year)

If you are interested in joining DIRLab, please contact us at: qiaoyu.tan@nyu.edu.

  • Please highlight your BS average score (out of 100) and TOEFL/IELTS scores, as NYU Shanghai has specific requirements.

  • Include your CV (with publication list, awards, research projects/internships) and transcripts of BS/MS programs.

The application deadline for the NYU PhD program is typically in December. If you’re interested, please apply to the PhD program (Shanghai track) in Computer Science and mention my name in your application. See here for more details.

Accepted PhD students will receive full financial support via the NYU Shanghai Doctoral Fellowship, including tuition and a yearly stipend. Additional benefits include international health insurance, housing assistance in New York, and travel support.

Self-funded and visiting PhD positions are available year-round.

Research Assistants (RA) & Internal Students

We welcome excellent students to join as (remote) research assistants (6+ months preferred). As an RA, you will receive guidance toward publishing papers in top-tier machine learning and data mining conferences. Competitive salaries are available (on-site only).

Master’s/Bachelor’s students from NYU campuses (New York, Shanghai, Abu Dhabi) are encouraged to apply early. Familiarity with ML, Python, and academic writing is desirable.

Visiting Positions

We welcome visiting researchers and interns—on-site or remote—year-round. High-performance computing resources will be provided.

Due to a high volume of inquiries, we may not respond to every email individually.