Help build the next generation of trustworthy, responsible, and human-centered AI.
The Human-Centered Machine Intelligence (HCMI) Lab at Toronto Metropolitan University develops next-generation AI that places people at the center of intelligent systems. We are always looking for outstanding students and researchers passionate about building trustworthy, responsible, and human-centered AI.
Our research spans both theoretical foundations and real-world applications — combining machine learning, information retrieval, large language models, knowledge graphs, and responsible AI to build systems that are ethical, transparent, scalable, and beneficial to society. We regularly publish in leading AI, ML, IR, and Data Mining venues.
We welcome applicants interested in one or more of the research areas listed here. If your interests align, we'd love to hear from you.
The HCMI Lab is always interested in recruiting highly motivated graduate students with strong analytical, mathematical, and programming skills. Previous research experience is highly desirable but not mandatory.
Course-based MEng students interested in research opportunities are welcome to contact me. Research opportunities depend on project availability and funding.
Please include:
We regularly supervise undergraduate students through NSERC USRA, Undergraduate Research Assistantships, Capstone Projects, Directed Studies, and Volunteer Research Positions (subject to availability).
We welcome visiting students and researchers whose interests closely align with our work. Visiting scholars are normally expected to secure external funding before visiting.
Please include:
Exceptional postdoctoral candidates with outstanding publication records are encouraged to contact me. Competitive candidates generally have publications in venues such as SIGIR, WWW, KDD, WSDM, CIKM, ECIR, ICDE, and EDBT, or in journals such as IEEE TKDE, Machine Learning, Information Sciences, Information Processing & Management, and Foundations and Trends in Information Retrieval.
Using AI to write your email? Use mine. Paste the prompt below together with your CV into ChatGPT, Claude, or Gemini — it drafts an email in exactly the format I care about. Then review it, fill in the [bracketed] parts, and check it against the steps below before sending.
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Before sending an email, please read at least one of my recent publications, explore our current research projects, and be ready to explain why you want to join the HCMI Lab, which topics excite you, and how your experience aligns with our research.
Please avoid sending generic emails to multiple faculty members — a tailored message makes a real difference.
Example: Prospective PhD Student | Jane Smith | Fairness in Large Language Models
Because of the large number of emails I receive, I am unfortunately unable to reply to every message. If you are selected for an interview, I will contact you directly with the details. Not hearing back does not necessarily reflect on the strength of your application — the volume is simply very high.
If, after the interview, I email you confirming that I am willing to supervise you, please submit your formal application through the Toronto Metropolitan University Graduate Admissions portal. Being selected as a potential supervisor does not guarantee admission — all applications are evaluated according to Faculty of Graduate Studies requirements.
Beyond grades and technical skills, I value researchers who are curious, creative, self-motivated, collaborative, independent, open-minded, and strong communicators — people who enjoy reading papers, discussing ideas, building new algorithms, and publishing impactful research.
Admitted full-time graduate students (PhD and MASc) supervised in the HCMI Lab receive a competitive funding package, provided through a combination of departmental support, teaching and research assistantships, and my own research grants. You do not need to have secured external funding to be considered.
That said, applicants who are applying for — or have already secured — external scholarships are strongly encouraged to mention this. External awards strengthen your application and are highly valued.
Applicants are encouraged to read one or more recent publications before contacting me. When you do, please mention which paper(s) you read, what interested you, and one or two research questions you'd like to explore. This helps me understand your interests and whether they align with current projects in the lab.