Join Us
You only need one corner to start.
The work sits between people, agents, and buildings. Almost nobody arrives knowing all three — we haven't hired anyone who did. Come in from whichever corner you already know.
Three ways in
Where you're coming from, and what you'd pick up.
You know buildings
Building physics, HVAC, energy modelling, construction. You understand why a room behaves the way it does.
You'd pick up
- How to make an agent reason about a system you already understand
- Sensing and data pipelines
- Running studies with human participants
You know machines
Machine learning, language models, multi-agent systems, control. You can build something that decides.
You'd pick up
- What a building actually is, physically and thermally
- Why the constraint set is harder than it looks
- Why an explanation matters as much as an action
You know people
Human factors, physiology, survey design, public health. You know how to find out what someone actually experiences.
You'd pick up
- The engineering vocabulary to make your findings actionable
- Instrumentation and measurement
- How occupant data becomes a control decision
You're not sure yet
You're an undergraduate, or switching fields, and the above sounds interesting but unfamiliar.
That's fine
- Everyone in the lab started without one of the three
- Curiosity and follow-through matter more than a checklist
- Knock on Dr. Jung's door and we'll work out where you fit
What we offer
The HUBS lab will be fully committed to your success.
You will become a knowledge HUB of
- Human–AI–Building interaction
- Agentic and physical AI for the built environment
- Occupant behaviour, comfort, and health in buildings
- Building | community | urban energy modelling
In so doing, let's
- Build the vision for your career
- Set up milestones during your course
- Have weekly individual meetings with Dr. Jung
- Have monthly group meetings to learn from your peers
You will be exposed to
- Multidisciplinary research across all three corners
- Machine learning, language models, and multi-agent systems
- Sensors, networks, and embedded electronics
- Physics-based simulation and real building data
- Human-subject study design and ethics review
- Scientific thought processes
What we expect
Prepared to become a HUB.
Attitude — this part is not negotiable
- Be motivated and passionate
- Devote yourself to research and be responsible for it
- Be curious about new knowledge and willing to learn
- Be positive and interactive with peers
- Be willing to work outside the field you arrived with
Skills — helpful, not required
- Background in building science, or in ML, or in human factors
- Research experience with tangible outcomes
- Programming experience (Python, R)
- Experience with LLMs, agents, or reinforcement learning
- Electronics experience (e.g. Arduino, Raspberry Pi)
- Building energy modelling experience
- Excellent English verbal and written communication
Nobody has all of the above, and we don't expect you to. Tell us which parts you have and which parts interest you — that's a more useful message than a list of everything you've ever touched.
Programs
Where you might fit.
Ph.D. program
It seems like a long journey, taking more than three to four years. However, once you become aware of where you'd stand after graduation, it might not be long. You will gain the privilege of applying for an assistant professor position — a role that requires you to get funding, conduct your research, teach undergraduate and graduate courses, mentor graduate students, and serve your communities.
To become a strong candidate, it is highly recommended to publish more than three journal articles as the main contributor when you apply. The HUBS lab will guide you to accomplish your goals during this course.
Master's program
A researcher creates knowledge. You understand the body of knowledge and scientifically create the necessary knowledge for peers or the public. By being involved in research projects led by the HUBS lab, you will become not only a researcher, but also a HUB.
If you are interested in a Ph.D. degree, it is highly recommended to publish one journal article. This experience will prepare you to become a successful scholar.
Bachelor's program
Are you interested in research, but do not know where to start? Consider knocking on Dr. Jung's door at any time. By being involved in research projects led by the HUBS lab, you will have a better idea of conducting a study, discovering knowledge, and penetrating the current body of knowledge.
If you are interested in graduate-level degrees, it is highly recommended to participate in publication efforts. This experience will prepare you to know more about becoming a researcher.
How to apply
Two paths in.
Graduate applicants: check out the CAEM graduate programs and apply. Mention Dr. Wooyoung Jung in your personal statement so your application is brought to our attention.
Undergraduate students: send Dr. Wooyoung Jung an email — and that's it.
In either case, it helps to say which corner you're coming from and what you'd like to learn.