Prospective Students

Interested in working with us? Please contact lab director Selmer Bringsjord. Be prepared to talk about areas of research you’re interested in, and in particular any ideas you have that are connected to our work in the past.

Ph.D. Students

Ph.D. students working in the RAIR Lab are either in the Computer Science Ph.D. program or Cognitive Science Ph.D. program. Successful applicants to either program to work under Bringsjord & company in the RAIR Lab should have:

  • A thorough understanding of logic-based AI (including a high level of mathematical maturity and comfort with mathematical and philosophical logic) — some relevant journal papers are available from Bringsjord. You can read some RAIR Lab publications here.
  • Some familiarity with automated theorem provers (Vampire, E, SNARK, ShadowProver(ours)), proof checkers, proof construction environments or interactive theorem provers (e.g. Slate Family (Hyperslate, Lazyslate), Coq, Lean, Athena, OSCAR, etc.).
  • Solid programming ability in multiple languages (Our main languages are Python, Java, C++, and Lisp) and a willingness to hammer out clean code under deadlines.
  • An interest in the RAIR Lab’s current key application areas — info on these is available on this site and from Bringsjord directly.
  • A passion for debate and discussion (preferably over food) regarding the philosophical and logico-mathematical foundations of AI and Cog Sci.
  • And it doesn’t hurt to understand why Bringsjord rates NY’s Capital District as the best place to live in the United States.

Masters & Co-Terminal Students

For Masters and Co-Terminal Students, it is expected that applicants will have conducted some research before (preferably in some form of AI) as well as meeting the expectations of Undergraduate Students (see below).

Undergraduate Students

The RAIR Lab often has research opportunities for undergraduates who are interested in getting some research experience and working with us on one of our many projects. If you are interested in working with us, we recommend the following:

  • Some experience with logic (either having taken introductory logic courses, or have studied formal logic on your own)
  • Interest in Artificial Intelligence
  • High level of motivation and willingness to do self-study when necessary