Our team is growing, and we are actively seeking talented and passionate undergraduate and graduate students to join us in our data science with social impact or astronomy projects. If you are interested in taking part in meaningful projects that involve a unique balance of theoretical, methodological, and data analysis work, then we would love to hear from you! While prior experience in theoretical physics, astronomy, statistics, or computer science is a plus, it is not a requirement. We are looking for students who are dedicated and motivated to make a difference.
To apply, please email us your CV. But before you do, please take a moment to read through our FAQ section below, as it may answer some of the questions you have.We can't wait to hear from you and see what kind of impact we can make together!
My work email address is arya.farahi [AT] austin [dot] utexas [dot] edu
A. If you’re not a UT-Austin student, most likely not. However, if you are a UT-Austin student, there are RA opportunities in our lab. We are actively seeking students with a strong background in coding, statistics, or computer science to join our team. There are a few other rules that we follow in our lab.
In the initial semester, students will assume a volunteer role, allowing them to familiarize themselves with the lab's dynamics and ongoing projects. After this period, as they demonstrate their capabilities and dedication, I am committed to seeking sources of funding to support their involvement, unless they are already receiving course credit for their contributions. Occationally, we advertise some of our funded research opportunities in Eureka.
If you're interested, kindly forward your CV along with a description of your research interests.
Master's student applications are not frequently considered to join our lab. However, when we consider master's students, we seek individuals with a strong foundation in mathematics, statistics, or computer science theory. It's important to emphasize that a two-year commitment is required for any prospective master's student.
Unless explicitly advertised as a funded position, funding opportunities for master's students are not available.
A1: If you are not already a student at UT-Austin, you have to apply first. Faculty in our department do not hire master’s or Ph.D. students directly. Our department accepts all students through an official application process, and a committee evaluates applications not me.
A2: If you are a student in SDS (or possibly other departments, Astronomy, Physics, Computer Science), then talk to me or send me an email. Depending on your interest, our lab has several funded research opportunities.
A: Our lab has students from all over the campus. However, if you want me to be your primary advisor, you need to be affiliated with SDS. In this case, I suggest you apply for the SDS program. Though it’s sometimes possible to work with faculty from a department other than the one you enroll in (ask the department you are applying to). Depending on your research interest, I might be able to be your co-advisor if your primary department is not SDS, but you need to talk to your primary advisor first.
A: Unfortunately, no. I get too many such requests to reply to all of them. I suggest you apply for the SDS program (or potentially other relevant programs) first. Once you get admitted to a graduate program, I would be happy to discuss project ideas and chat about potential research opportunities in our lab. The faculty in our department does not directly admit students.
A: I usually don’t fund visiting students, but if you work on topics that I’m interested in and have another funding source, feel free to email me.
A: Unless I have an announcement on my site that I am looking for postdocs, or you heard another way that I am hiring, then no. However, the SDS department does occasionally hire postdoctoral fellows – if you’re interested, I encourage you to apply.
Our department has a standard policy that instructors do not hire TAs directly. Interested students must apply through the department and undergo a selection process before being appointed as a TA for a particular course. This approach ensures that all TAs meet the department's standards and possess the necessary skills and qualifications to assist in teaching the course. This process also helps to maintain consistency and fairness in the selection of TAs across all courses and instructors in our department. Please check the open positions here.
My policy is that I reserve letters of recommendation for students who have done a research project with me. This allows me to provide detailed insights and evaluations that go beyond the scope of standard classroom performance and achievements. These insights are often what admissions committees seek, as they provide a deeper understanding of a candidate's capabilities.
If your interactions with me have been limited to classroom settings, the content I could offer in a letter would largely echo the information already presented in your application. This includes your final grades or project outcomes. My experience as a part of admissions committees has shown me that additional letters that do not contribute new or unique insights can actually detract from an applicant's profile, rather than enhancing it. Therefore, I decline your request for a letter of recommendation. This decision is not a reflection of your abilities or potential but is guided by a commitment to ensuring that every element of your application process strengthens your candidacy. I encourage you to seek a recommendation from someone who can provide a narrative that complements and enhances the information already available in your application.
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