[MS/PhD] Research Opportunities in ML/DL Projects

The following announcement is from [Prof. Penkova]. Please contact them directly if you have any questions.

Prof. Penkova is seeking passionate and ambitious students to join a dynamic research group in the Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering Department, working at the forefront of machine learning (ML) and deep learning (DL) innovation. Our research focuses on impactful real-world applications across healthcare domains, including ophthalmology, cardiology, cancer detection, and low-vision assistive technologies.

This opportunity is ideal for master’s and graduate students with a strong background in machine learning, deep learning, and computer vision, eager to apply their skills to meaningful challenges.

Qualifications:

• Interest or experience in generative models, computer vision, and deep learning
• Familiarity with diffusion models and context engineering (highly preferred)
• Experience with video generation or 3D vision is a plus
• Proficiency in Python and experience with frameworks such as PyTorch (or similar)
• Self-motivated, detail-oriented, and able to commit consistent time to research

We are also seeking a business lead, preferably candidates with a Master’s degree in both Business and Computer Science, to help bridge technical innovation with strategy, commercialization, and implementation.

While this position is currently unpaid, there is strong potential for future funding, publications, and career advancement as projects progress.

If you are interested, please send your resume to penkova@usc.edu

Published on March 24th, 2026Last updated on March 24th, 2026