What are the responsibilities and job description for the PHD Graduate Student position at SAIR Lab?
Company Description SAIR Lab focuses on advancing Spatial AI and Robotics, with an emphasis on real-world applications and robust, scalable systems. The lab brings together interdisciplinary expertise in computer vision, machine learning, and robotics to solve challenging perception and control problems. Team members collaborate on cutting-edge research that often leads to high-impact publications and open-source tools. The lab values curiosity, rigor, and collaboration, providing mentorship and technical resources to support the growth of emerging researchers. SAIR Lab offers an environment where doctoral students can contribute to next-generation intelligent robotic systems.
Role Description The PhD Graduate Student will conduct full-time research in Spatial AI and Robotics as part of SAIR Lab’s core team. Day-to-day responsibilities include designing and implementing algorithms, building and evaluating experimental setups, and analyzing data to validate research hypotheses. The role involves developing prototypes and software tools, running simulations and real-world experiments, and documenting findings in the form of technical reports and academic papers. The student will collaborate with faculty, peers, and external partners, present work at lab meetings and conferences, and contribute to grant proposals and project deliverables. This is a full-time, on-site role located in Buffalo, NY, with regular access to lab facilities, robotic platforms, and computational resources.
Qualifications
- Strong foundation in robotics, Spatial AI, computer vision, or machine learning, with interest in applying these areas to intelligent systems.
- Proficiency in programming languages commonly used in robotics and AI (e.g., Python, C , MATLAB) and familiarity with relevant frameworks (e.g., ROS, PyTorch, TensorFlow).
- Solid skills in experimental design, data analysis, and evaluation of algorithms, including working with simulation environments and real-world datasets.
- Ability to read, synthesize, and critique scientific literature, and to communicate research results clearly through writing and presentations.
- Demonstrated problem-solving skills, attention to detail, and the ability to work both independently and collaboratively in a research team.
- Master’s degree or equivalent preparation in Computer Science, Electrical/Computer Engineering, Robotics, or a related field; outstanding bachelor’s graduates may also be considered.
- Prior research experience, publications, or substantial projects in AI or robotics are highly beneficial.
- Willingness to be on-site in Buffalo, NY and engage fully with lab activities, meetings, and collaborations.