Ph.D. Positions in CS/CE/EE at Iowa State University --- birthplace of computer

Prof. Hongwei Zhang at the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering of Iowa State University (ISU) is looking for Ph.D. students to join his research group in summer/fall 2018. Students will have opportunities to participate in  ambitious, ground-breaking research in wireless network systems and their applications in augmented reality (AR)/virtual reality (VR), connected and automated vehicles, smart grid, Industry 4.0, smart agriculture, and IoT as well as cyber-physical-human systems in general. The research is supported by the U.S. National Science Foundation and industry partners.

Iowa State University (ISU) is a top research university, and the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at ISU has over 100 years of rich and distinguished history. (See https://web.iastate.edu/sites/default/files/about/docs/facts/facts.pdf and http://www.ece.iastate.edu/the-department/history/) For instance, individuals from the department have pioneered the world's first electronic digital computer, encoding process for fax machines, world's first portable phone, medical ultrasound technology, first handheld scientific calculator, and infant respiratory augmentor. As a 220+ acre development and having over 70 tenants employing over 1,700 people, the ISU Research Park (http://www.isupark.org/) hosts a vibrant startup community as well as R&D branches of major companies such as John Deere. In addition, many other established and start-up companies (e.g., Rockwell-Collins) are within 100 miles from ISU campus and are leaders in wireless communication and networking, AR/VR and control systems, and their applications in various domains. Being in a college town while having the convenience and energy of larger cities, students will also have a great life experience on campus in Ames, Iowa (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ames,_Iowa).

Prof. Zhang’s research explores modeling, algorithmic, and systems issues in wireless sensing and control networks as well as their applications in AR/VR, smart agriculture, connected and automated vehicles,  smart energy grid, industrial IoT, and cyber-physical-human systems in general. Besides publications, his work has provided foundational components for several wireless network systems, including the emulation system and software-defined innovation platforms for connected and automated vehicles, cellular research networks, federated sensor networks, and DARPA sensor network systems “A Line in the Sand” and “ExScal” (which, with its 200-node mesh network and 1,200-node mote network, was the world's largest wireless sensor network and mesh network deployed at its time). For more information about Prof. Zhang’s research, please visit his website at http://www.ece.iastate.edu/~hongwei/.

By focusing on high-impact research and by collaborating with other research groups in academia and industry labs, Prof. Zhang’s research group provides students with access to world-class facilities, real-world experience, and ample opportunities of contributing to the research and engineering communities. Past Ph.D. students of the DNC group have become thought leaders in their fields and have become leading innovators at organizations such as GM Research, Ford Motor Company, Facebook, Marvell Semiconductor Inc., Juniper Networks, Fortinet Inc., National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Yale University, and Texas A&M University.

Prospective students are expected to have strong academic background, are self-motivated and goal-oriented, and can take initiative in executing research visions. Experience in systems building, mathematical modeling, and/or research will be a plus. Students will be supported financially in various forms, such as Fellowship, Graduate Research Assistantship, or Graduate Teaching Assistantship.

If you are interested in joining Prof. Zhang’s group, please contact him (http://www.ece.iastate.edu/~hongwei/, hongwei@iastate.edu) and share with him your background (including, but not limited to, resume and transcript), career plan, and expectations for Ph.D. study. Prof. Zhang will call or email you if there is a good match between you and his group.

Information on how to apply for graduate study at Iowa State University is available at http://www.ece.iastate.edu/admissions/graduate-admissions/.

Updated information about the university, surrounding industry, and the City of Ames, Iowa.