We are looking for highly motivated Ph.D. students interested in research at the intersection of security, machine learning, computer systems, embedded, and computer architecture. Our research is inherently interdisciplinary, and students often come from a variety of backgrounds, including computer science, computer engineering, electrical engineering, cybersecurity, machine learning, and applied AI. We do not expect applicants to have expertise in all of these areas. Instead, successful students typically bring strength in one or more areas and a willingness to learn new concepts as needed for their research projects.

Depending on the project, familiarity with one or more of the following topics may be helpful:

• Embedded Systems and Robotics: Embedded software, robotics, microcontrollers, sensors, cyber-physical systems, and low-power computing.
• Machine Learning and AI: Deep learning, foundation models, trustworthy AI, privacy-preserving machine learning, adversarial machine learning, computer vision, or reinforcement learning.
• Computer Systems and Security: Trustworthy computing, remote attestation, memory safety, and side-channel analysis.
• Computer Architecture and Hardware: Processor design, computer architecture, hardware security, chiplet systems, memory hierarchies, and trusted execution environments.
• Programming and Tools: Python, C/C++, machine learning frameworks (e.g., PyTorch), simulators (e.g., gem5), hardware description languages (e.g., Verilog/SystemVerilog), or related development tools.

Above all, we value curiosity, creativity, and a strong desire to conduct impactful research. If you are excited about building secure and trustworthy computing systems, we encourage you to reach out even if your background does not perfectly match all of the topics listed above.

We occasionally have paid and unpaid research opportunities for undergraduate and M.S. students through sponsored projects, research programs, and campus initiatives. Due to the large number of requests we receive, we generally only recruit students who have previously taken a course with Nader, have worked with or been referred by a current member of the lab, or have otherwise established a connection with the SsysArch group through departmental activities or research programs. We also periodically recruit students through UCLA undergraduate research programs and open recruitment events. As a result, we are typically unable to consider unsolicited requests from students with no prior interaction with the lab.

If you meet the criteria above and are interested in joining the lab, please do the following: (1) Fill out this research interest form. (2) Contact Nader (nsehat [at] ucla [dot] edu) with the subject [BS/MS Research]. (Please use this exact subject line; otherwise, your email may be filtered incorrectly.) Due to the large number of applications we receive, we may not be able to respond to every inquiry individually. However, all applications are reviewed and maintained in our internal candidate pool. Even if you do not hear back immediately, we may contact you later if a future research opportunity aligns with your background and interests.

In your email, please which courses you have taken with Nader or who did you work with in the lab, include your CV, current year, relevant coursework or experience, and a brief description of your research interests.

Incoming and Current M.S. Students

For M.S. students interested in joining the SsysArch Lab, the typical pathway is to first become involved in research through a project with the group using the methods explained above. If you are interested, please follow steps (1) and (2) described above.

For MS students who become actively involved in research, there are opportunities to pursue either an M.S. Capstone Project (typically requiring at least two academic quarters of research involvement) or an M.S. Thesis (typically requiring at least three academic quarters of research involvement). In some cases, students pursuing the thesis option may also have opportunities for research funding depending on project availability and funding constraints.

If you are interested in a Teaching Assistant (TA) position, please note that the ECE Department does not allow first-year M.S. students to serve as TAs. Second-year M.S. students should apply through the departmental TA application process distributed by the Graduate Office. We review applications through the department when positions become available.

If you are applying for a PhD position, please follow these guidelines:

• Use the following subject for your email: [PhD] Prospective Student (it is important to use exactly this, otherwise your email will be filtered in a wrong folder). Send your emails to "nsehat [at] ucla [dot] edu"
• In your email, please attach (in PDF format) your CV and Transcript (or list your most relevant courses in your CV). Also, make sure to list your past and future research interest (either in the body of your email or in your CV).
• If you are applying for Fall, a good time to email is the September-December time frame. While I may not answer every email, I will make a shortlist and contact a select number of students after the deadline (usually mid/end of December) to schedule a video call.
• If you have made it this far, please mention your favorite TV series (or movie) at the end of your email ;) (mine is )

In your application, please list 'Nader Sehatbakhsh' as a preferred advisor. You can find more information about UCLA ECE application requirements here. NO GRE this year! Good Luck!