PhD Positions in Programming Languages and AI Systems at the State University of New York, Korea (SUNY Korea)

About this position

The Computer Science program at the State University of New York, Korea (SUNY Korea) is recruiting motivated PhD students to join a research group working at the intersection of programming languages and artificial intelligence. Students earn a Stony Brook University degree in an English-speaking international environment.

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.