Summer 2016 Undergraduate Research Internship

School of Computing, KAIST

July 1 - August 31, 2016

What is this about?

I’ll start as an assistant professor in the School of Computing at KAIST in July 2016, and launch a Human-Computer Interaction research group (name TBD). I’m looking for a few undergraduate research interns to join my group this summer. I haven’t set up a website for my group yet, but you can find more about me and my research at http://juhokim.com/

What does your lab do?

As an HCI research group, we build interactive systems that are powered by large-scale data from users. As a research field, HCI strives to tackle real world problems that users face everyday. We pride in building technical solutions that can directly help real world users. A typical research process is to observe users, identify their challenges, come up with a novel technical solution, and evaluate the solution with rigorous research methods. In particular, we are excited about the following areas:

  • Crowdsourcing: How to leverage the power of the crowd to solve difficult sociotechnical challenges?
  • Online Education: How to design for more interactive, constructive, and collaborative learning online?
  • Video and Future of Media: How to maximize the potential of interactive media in its capturing, editing, and consumption?
  • Civic Engagement: How to design a better social platform for a participatory democracy?

What will I be working on?

You’ll be working on a research project, and closely interacting with me and others in the lab throughout the summer. Here are some possible project ideas:

  1. Design and build a next generation video player for online education. Related projects: LectureScape and Crowdy

  2. Design and build a way to help online instructors to receive and incorporate feedback on their materials (e.g., videos and slides). Related project: Mudslide

  3. Design and build a way to help online learners to receive and incorporate feedback on their work (e.g., homework assignments and projects). Related project: RIMES

  4. Design and build an interactive platform for citizens to discuss social issues and take collective action. Related projects: BudgetMap and Factful

What skills / experiences do I need?

  • I’m mostly looking for motivated students who like to (learn to) build interactive systems for real users.
  • Although intro-level HCI knowledge or CS472 at KAIST is a huge plus, it is not required.
  • You’ll be a research intern, not an engineering intern. While engineering will constitute a large fraction of what we do, the main focus will be on research.
  • You’ll work on building cutting-edge user interfaces for the web. You should be familiar with Javascript/HTML/CSS, as well as a modern web framework (e.g., Django, Flask, React, AngularJS, or Ruby on Rails). Backend or server-side knowledge is a plus, but not required.

I’m not a KAIST student. Can I apply?

Yes, of course!

I’m a graduate student. Can I apply?

Yes. But if you have an advisor, please make sure your advisor is okay with the idea.

Why should I do this?

  • Because you’ll be working on something really exciting
  • Because you’ll design and build something for real world users
  • Because you’ll gain a hands-on research experience
  • Because you’ll have a chance to interact with fantastic HCI students and faculty at KAIST

Okay, I’m sold. What are the conditions?

  • Mandatory period: July 1 - August 31, 2016
  • Flexible working hours & vacation
  • Personal office space in N1
  • Infinite amount of free coffee
  • You’ll be paid a competitive salary.
  • If you’re interested, and if we have a good fit, you’re welcome to continue working on the project in the fall and onward.
  • If you’re a CS undergrad at KAIST, we can also discuss connecting the internship to CS490 (Research in Computer Science) or CS495 (Individual Study).

How can I apply?

Please apply by sending an email to until May 13, 2016 (Friday). Your application should include the following:

  • your resume or CV
  • a copy of your transcript (unofficial or scanned version is fine)
  • one-paragraph description of why you’re interested and what your interests are