5 Applied AI Graduate and Postdoc Positions (2026)
These applied AI graduate and postdoc positions are a starting point for applicants who want to work on AI in real research settings. The five groups cover interpretable AI, optimization, natural language processing, robotics, cybersecurity, distributed systems, and AI for science.
We replaced the shared social-media links with their direct destinations and checked the pages on August 14, 2026. The table shows the study levels indicated in the source list, but the linked page remains the authority on current openings.
| Professor | University | Research focus | Levels | Direct source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sumit Kumar Jha | University of Florida | Formal methods, interpretable and controllable AI, and AI for science | PhD, Postdoc | View page |
| Guangmo (Amo) Tong | University of Delaware | Machine learning, combinatorial optimization, and connected autonomous systems | PhD, MSc | View page |
| Cornelia Caragea | University of Illinois Chicago | Natural language processing, deep learning, and information retrieval | PhD | View page |
| Cynthia Matuszek | University of Maryland, Baltimore County | Robotics, human-robot interaction, and natural language processing | PhD, MSc | View page |
| Jun Dai | Worcester Polytechnic Institute | AI, cybersecurity, and networked and distributed systems | PhD, Postdoc, MSc | View page |
Choose an applied AI lab by problem, not only by label
Applied AI can describe very different work. One group may build formal methods for reliable models, while another develops language technology or autonomous systems. Read two or three recent projects and note the data, methods, and real-world problem. A strong fit statement explains which part of that work you can contribute to and what preparation you already have.
Confirm the application route before you contact the professor
Some faculty pages invite prospective students to email directly. Others expect applicants to use a department portal first. Follow the posted instructions, check whether the message is recent, and do not treat an open invitation as a promise of admission or funding. Recruiting needs can change after a project is filled or a grant timeline shifts.
If direct outreach is appropriate, our guides explain how to evaluate research fit and how to write a focused email.