PhD Positions

Research

Artificial intelligence is changing how software is written and how computing systems are built. Our group investigates how programming-language ideas can help make AI and software systems more reliable, efficient, and trustworthy.

The group's primary focus is programming languages, particularly compiler technologies, formal methods, and floating-point computation. These areas are studied both as fundamental scientific problems and as foundations for addressing challenges in modern AI systems. Potential directions include:

• AI and programming languages: using programming-language techniques to improve AI systems and the reliability of AI-assisted software.
• Compiler technologies: analyzing, transforming, and optimizing programs.
• Formal methods: rigorous techniques for reasoning about software behavior and correctness.
• Floating-point computation: improving the accuracy, reliability, and performance of numerical programs.

Specific topics will be selected according to each student's interests, preparation, and available research opportunities. Applicants do not need to be experts in every area, but should be eager to learn and pursue careful, high-impact research.

Studying at SUNY Korea

SUNY Korea offers Stony Brook University degree programs in Songdo, Incheon. Students benefit from an international environment and opportunities for collaboration with Stony Brook's New York campus. South Korea is a highly developed, innovation-driven country with a very high Human Development Index and an excellent quality of life.

Funding

Support arrangements

Students recruited into this research group normally receive support through either a teaching assistantship (TA), which may be full or partial, or a research assistantship (RA). The funding arrangement is determined individually during admission and stated in the student's official offer.

Teaching assistantship

For candidates selected by a supervisor, TA support is usually available, subject to departmental allocation, eligibility requirements, and university approval. A typical TA package includes tuition support and a monthly stipend intended to cover basic student living expenses in Songdo.

Research assistantship

When the supervisor has suitable project funding, an RA may be offered instead of TA support. RA support can provide a more generous overall package. Because it depends on sponsored-project funding, the availability and amount of RA support cannot be guaranteed in advance.

Evaluating support across countries

Nominal stipend figures should not be compared directly across countries. Housing, transportation, healthcare, insurance, and other daily expenses substantially affect purchasing power. Candidates should evaluate the complete package and the local cost and quality of living rather than relying only on currency conversion.

All funding terms are governed by university policies and the official admission and funding offer.

How to apply

For more information about the research group and studying at SUNY Korea, visit the PhD positions page.

For an initial inquiry, contact Zhoulai Fu at zhoulai [dot] fu [at] sunykorea [dot] ac [dot] kr with the subject line Prospective PhD Applicant – [Your Name].

Please include:

• a brief statement describing your research interests, relevant background, and motivation;
• a résumé or CV;
• unofficial academic transcripts; and
• links to publications, a thesis, or software projects, if available.

Promising applicants may be invited to discuss their research interests and preparation. Candidates who proceed must also complete SUNY Korea's formal graduate application by the stated deadline.

Requirements

A master's degree is not required. Applicants must hold, or expect to hold before enrollment, a bachelor's degree, normally in science, mathematics, engineering, computer science, or a closely related discipline. For PhD admission, the department primarily considers the applicant's potential for first-class research and whether the applicant has sufficient academic preparation to succeed in the PhD qualifiers. Strong programming and analytical skills, intellectual curiosity, and interest in research connecting artificial intelligence with programming languages, compilers, formal methods, or numerical computing are desirable.

Applicants need not already be experts in every research area. They should be prepared to develop a rigorous understanding of programs, compilers, reasoning, and numerical computation; communicate research clearly in English; and engage in careful, independent research. Specific projects will be matched to the student's interests, preparation, and available research opportunities.

Additional Information

Benefits

Students earn a Stony Brook University degree while studying at SUNY Korea in an English-speaking international environment, with opportunities for collaboration with Stony Brook's New York campus and access to on-campus housing and facilities in Songdo.

Students normally receive either TA support, which may be full or partial, or RA support. A typical TA package includes tuition support and a monthly stipend intended to cover basic student living expenses. When suitable project funding is available, an RA may be offered instead and can provide a more generous package. Exact terms are stated in the official offer.

Eligibility criteria

The minimum degree requirement is a bachelor's degree; a master's degree is not required. Applicants must satisfy the current Stony Brook University and SUNY Korea Computer Science PhD admission requirements, including the applicable academic-background and English-proficiency requirements. Admission is decided by the Computer Science Department and the Graduate School. Applicants with non-standard backgrounds may be considered under the university's applicable policies.

Selection process

Prospective students should first provide a statement of research interests, background, and motivation together with a résumé or CV, following the instructions at https://zhoulaifu.com/phd-positions/. Promising candidates may be invited to discuss research interests and preparation. Candidates must also complete the university's formal admissions process. Admission and assistantship decisions are governed by university policies and position availability.

Additional comments

The position is based at SUNY Korea in Songdo, Incheon, Republic of Korea. This listing targets Spring 2027 admission; the official graduate application deadline is December 1, 2026. The exact semester start date will follow the university's official academic calendar. Research topics will be matched to each student's interests, preparation, and available research opportunities. Applicants attracted to modern AI who also want to understand the deeper principles that make software reliable, efficient, and correct are especially encouraged to apply.

Work Location(s)

Number of offers available: 1
Company/Institute: State University of New York, Korea
Country: Korea
State/Province: Incheon
City: Songdo
Postal Code: 21985
Street: 119-2 Songdo Munhwa-ro, Yeonsu-gu