Summer 2025 Undergraduate Research Internship

What is this about?

I’m looking for a few undergraduate research interns to join KIXLAB this summer.

What does your lab do?

As an HCI research group, we build interactive systems that are powered by AI, data, and crowds. As a research field, HCI strives to tackle real-world problems that users face every day. In KIXLAB, we pride in building technical solutions that can directly help real world users. Our typical research process involves observing users, identifying their challenges, coming up with a novel technical solution, and evaluating the solution with rigorous research methods. Check out our latest papers for examples.

My recent talks on “Interaction-Centric AI” represent my latest research interests and vision: (1) NeurIPS 2022 keynote (targeted at AI audience), (2) Stanford HCI Seminar (targeted at HCI audience).

Also, in this interview video for HCI Korea, I summarize KIXLAB’s representative projects and share my thoughts on research and mentoring. English transcription is available.

What will I be working on?

You’ll be working on one of the ongoing research projects in the lab. As an intern, you will be assigned a graduate student mentor who will work closely with you on the project.

Please make sure to read this document for the detailed descriptions of available projects and their required skills and expected benefits. We’re looking for interns for the following projects:

• [Project #1] Designing a Personalized Video Learning Interface for Adults with Borderline Intellectual Functioning
• [Project #2] Supporting User Intent Communication through Adaptive Model Behaviors
• [Project #3] Designing a Framework for LLM-based Diagnosis of Math Problem-solving Skills
• [Project #4] Multi-Layered Image Generation with Chain-of-Thought Diffusion
• [Project #5] AI-driven Diagnostic Support System with Clinical Video Analysis: Transforming Tic Disorder Treatment
• [Project #6] Personalized AI Tutor: Adapting LLMs to Individual Learning Needs
• [Project #7] Designing Human-Agent Interaction and Delegation in Creative Workflows
• [Project #8] Structured How-To Video Authoring & Consumption

What skills/experiences do I need?

• I’m looking for motivated students who like to (learn to) build interactive systems for real users.
• I’m looking for proactive students who enjoy exploring and figuring out directions on their own.
• I’m looking for strong finishers. Rough ideas are cheap. Realized ideas are not.
• I’m looking for students who have intro-level HCI knowledge or have taken CS374/CS473/Human-AI Interaction at KAIST. This is not a requirement, but is strongly recommended.

I’m not a KAIST student. Can I apply?

Yes.

I’m not a Korean student and I’m not studying at a Korean institution. Can I apply?

Yes. KAIST has a decent Visiting Student Researcher (VSR) Program for international students, through which your internship will be supported. It is preferred and recommended that international visitors aim for a longer-term internship (e.g., six months) to allow for enough time for the admin process and relocation. Also, our research environment is English-friendly. All communication in KIXLAB is in English.

We also have limited availability of remote internships.

I’m a graduate student. Can I apply?

Yes, but your advisor should be supportive of the idea.

How competitive is it to get an internship?

For the past few years, the acceptance rate has been around 20%.

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?

• Period: July - August 2025 with flexible start and end dates. As we get students from various institutions worldwide with their own semester/quarter schedule, start and end dates can be adjusted to meet your schedule. I only accept interns who can spend 8 or more weeks.
• Preference will be given to students who are interested in extending the internship beyond the summer. Extension is not a requirement, however. At the end of the summer, we’ll discuss the possibility of extending the internship. The decision will depend on your progress, your research fit with the group and me, and your level of interest and commitment, among other things.
• Working hours are flexible but the internship should be your full-time commitment in the summer. You should not be doing a separate internship at another research group or a company during your KIXLAB internship. I expect interns to spend 40 hours on the project per week.
• Personal office space in the N1 building with standing desks and Herman Miller chairs!
• An infinite amount of free coffee
• You’ll be paid a reasonable salary, enough to cover your housing and food. Students from non-Korean institutions will get additional financial support for their flights.
• If you’re a CS undergrad at KAIST, we can discuss connecting your internship to CS490 (Research in Computer Science) or CS495 (Individual Study). URP is another great option.

How can I apply?

• Application deadline: 11:59 pm KST on Apr 30, 2025 (Wednesday)
• First round results: May 7, 2025 (Wednesday)
• Interviews with mentors: May 8-14, 2025
• Second round results: May 14, 2025 (Wednesday)
• Interviews with Juho: May 15-21, 2025
• Final Results: May 21, 2025 (Wednesday)

Please apply by submitting this form.

If you have difficulty accessing or submitting the form, you can alternatively apply by sending an email to juhokim@kaist.ac.kr until the deadline.

Your application should include the following:

• Name of the project you want to work on, and a one-page statement in English about why it interests you and what you plan to contribute. Please pick from the list of projects presented above. You may pick more than one project if you want to, but you need to provide a statement for each.
• Your resume or CV that includes your technical skillset and any research experience
• A copy of your transcript (unofficial or scanned version is fine)
• A list of courses you’re taking this semester (if they do not appear on the transcript)