Ph.D. Positions for Spring & Fall 2026 are available in the Center on Stochastic Modeling, Optimization, & Statistics (COSMOS) at University of Texas at Arlington. We welcome applicants with strong quantitative background, solid programming skills, and experience in machine learning and deep learning. If you are currently in the US, you are also welcome to apply for Spring 2026.
The PhD research directions will be focused on Deep Learning, Data Analytics, AI and Intelligent Systems. If interested, please send your CV and transcripts (and any materials that highlight your experiences, e.g., papers, certificates, thesis, awards, etc.) to Dr. Shouyi Wang at shouyiw@uta.edu.<mailto:shouyiw@uta.edu> We will review promptly and provide quick feedback. Accepted PhD students will receive full financial support for the duration of the PhD (tuition, stipend, and benefits). Visiting Students/Scholars Positions are also available in Machine Learning, Deep Learning, AI and Intelligent Systems.
Lab Information: The COSMOS Center is conducting world-leading research in Data Science, Machine Learning, Deep Learning, Complex System Modeling & Optimization in diverse fields include Health Informatics, Smart Energy, Smart Agriculture, and Autonomous and Collaborative AI-Driven Intelligent Systems (UAV, UGV, Robotics). Our PhD graduates are highly competitive in the US job market. Recent Ph.D. graduates got job placements at American Airlines, United Airlines, UPS, CSX, AT&T, IBM, Samsung AI, Bank of America, Comerica Bank, BNSF, General Motors, etc. Our Ph.D. graduates also have immense opportunities to pursue academic careers. Recent Ph.D. students obtained faculty positions at top schools, including University of Illinois Chicago, Washington State University, Stevens Institute of Technology, The State University of New York at Buffalo, etc.
Research Directions & Topics:
* Deep Learning and Decision Analytics for Healthcare and Biomedical Research: cancer imaging analytics (PET/CT/MRI), brain imaging analytics, precision medicine, personalized healthcare, etc.
* Generative AI for Computational Life-Science & Drug Discovery: Protein/DNA/RNA/Molecular data analytics, Generative AI for precision gene editing, molecular design, drug discovery.
* Multivariate Time Series and Sequential Data Modeling: deep learning for multivariate sequential data modeling and forecasting with applications in energy, healthcare, agriculture, and financial analytics.
* Interpretable & Probabilistic Deep Learning: uncertainty quantification, probabilistic deep learning, interpretability, reliability, and robustness of deep learning systems.
* AI-Driven Smart Systems for Agriculture: intelligent systems for invasive pest early detection, vaccine design for poultry health, food allergy analytics and management.
* AI Engineering and Intelligent Agent Systems: Development of Large Language Models (LLMs), autonomous AI-agent systems for decision analytics and adaptive problem-solving.
School Information: With more than 40,000 enrolled students, UTA is one of the largest public universities in the nation. According to 2025 U.S. News and WorldReport, UTA Engineering School is ranked #81 in the US. The Industrial, Manufacturing, & Systems Engineering (IMSE) Department is ranked #55 for Graduate Programs. With great resources and Texas State support, the IMSE department is one of the fastest growing programs in the US with more than 200 graduate students. UTA is one of the 146 Carnegie R-1 Doctoral Universities in the US with highest research activities.
DFW/Arlington Area: Arlington sits in the heart of the Dallas/Fort Worth metro, the 4th-largest in the U.S. with extensive industry partnerships and opportunities. Texas hosts 55 Fortune 500 headquarters, the most of any state. The COSMOS center at UTA drives impactful, industry-connected research with strong external collaboration.