SMILE Lab

Open Positions

Join our team at the intersection of AI and brain health.

We give priority to: 1) top-ranking students from top universities, 2) world-level programming competition/challenge winners, and 3) students who have published high-quality papers in this field.

Hiring

Postdoctoral Associate

Fully funded positions in Medical Artificial Intelligence (MAI), brain-inspired AI, and AI for precision brain health.

Requirements

  • •Proficiency in Python and deep learning frameworks
  • •Experience with PyTorch, TensorFlow, FSL, FreeSurfer, or SPM preferred

2026 Ph.D. & Postdoc Recruitment Flyer ↗

To Apply

Send CV, transcript, cover letter, and 3 references to smilefanglab@gmail.com

Application Form
Hiring

Ph.D. Students

Multiple fully-funded Ph.D. positions in generative AI, foundation models, LLM, and digital twins. Apply through BME, ECE, CS, or related programs at Vanderbilt.

2026 Ph.D. & Postdoc Recruitment Flyer ↗

To Apply

Email CV, transcript, and overview of research experiences to smilefanglab@gmail.com before submitting your official application.

Application Form
Hiring Vanderbilt Students Preferred

OPS / Research Assistants & Interns

Part-time and full-time research opportunities at Vanderbilt University, including summer and remote roles. Projects span medical foundation models, agentic AI, human-AI collaboration, brain-inspired AI, precision brain health, multimodal learning, affective AI, and AI education.

Preferred Background

  • •Computer science, AI, neuroscience, mathematics, engineering, biomedicine, or a related field
  • •Strong Python and deep learning skills; experience with PyTorch, LLM/VLM fine-tuning, reinforcement learning, or multimodal data is a plus

To Apply

Complete the application form and email your CV and relevant publications, if applicable, to smilefanglab@gmail.com with the subject [OPS / RA / Intern] – [Name] – [Current Institution].

Application Form

Master's Students

Volunteer Only

Currently hiring volunteers. Current or incoming Vanderbilt Master's students are welcome to apply.

To Apply

Complete the application form and email smilefanglab@gmail.com.

Application Form

Undergraduate Students

All years welcome. Prefer students with strong math/coding background.

Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis.

Prerequisites

  • •Coursera Machine Learning course by Andrew Ng (free)
  • •Co-requisites: Deep Learning Specialization, Stanford CS231n
Application Form

NSF REU Program

NSF Funded

6-month to 1-year research program for U.S. citizens or permanent residents (undergraduate students). Work on AI for brain health and brain-inspired AI. Aims to broaden participation of underrepresented groups.

To Apply

Email CV, research skills summary, goals, and 2 references to smilefanglab@gmail.com. Applications accepted on a rolling basis until filled.