Join Us!

Welcome to the Information Processing and Sensing (IMPRESS) Lab at NC State University!
We are passionate about advancing the frontiers of signal processing, machine learning, radar, and remote sensing to solve real-world challenges in communication, sensing, and autonomy. If you are excited about pushing the boundaries of science and technology, we’d love to hear from you!

Opportunities

We are actively seeking motivated individuals to join our team in the following capacities:

📌 Graduate Students (PhD & MS)

We are looking for highly motivated graduate students who are eager to conduct cutting-edge research in areas including:

  • Signal Processing: Sparse signal processing, compressive sensing, time-frequency/micro-Doppler analysis, beamforming, and DOA estimation.
  • Machine Learning for Sensing: Deep learning for inverse problems, physics-aware and interpretable AI, compressed learning, and object detection/classification.
  • Radar & Remote Sensing: AI/ML for UAV- and satellite-based remote sensing, signals of opportunity, passive sensing/communication coexistence, UAV-enabled precision agriculture.
  • Integrated Sensing and Communication (ISAC): Joint communication and sensing design, multifunctional reconfigurable antenna arrays, and spectrum coexistence strategies.

Graduate students will have opportunities to work on NSF, NASA, NOAA, and DoD-funded projects, collaborate across disciplines, and publish in top-tier venues.

Information regarding enrolling in the Electrical and Computer Engineering Department can be found here.

How to apply?

If you are interested in joining the IMPRESS Lab, please follow the NC State ECE application procedure. You may mention my name in the online applications system. You’re welcome to reach out to Dr. Ali Gurbuz via email. I will contact you if your background is a good fit to IMPRESS lab. Decisions can not be made without formal application.

📌 Postdoctoral Researchers

We welcome applications from candidates with a strong background in signal processing, radar systems, remote sensing, or machine learning. Postdocs in our lab will:

  • Lead and contribute to federally funded research projects.
  • Mentor graduate and undergraduate students.
  • Develop independent research directions aligned with the lab’s focus areas.
How to apply?

If you are interested in joining the IMPRESS Lab, please check out open positions! If you are already supported by an external fellowship, drop me an email with subject “PostDoc-FirstName-LastName” and we can discuss.

📌 Visiting Scholars

We encourage applications from visiting researchers and scholars interested in collaborative projects that align with our expertise. These opportunities are ideal for faculty on sabbatical, researchers from industry, or international scholars.

How to apply?

MPRESS Lab will be happy to host visiting postdoc/PhD/Master’s students. Kindly reach out via email with subject “Visiting-FirstName-LastName” and we can discuss.

📌 Undergraduate Researchers

We actively involve undergraduate students in research through independent studies, honors projects, and summer internships. Students will gain hands-on experience with software-defined radios, UAV-based sensing, AI-driven data analysis, radars and computational imaging systems. Interested NC State students should send their CVs, including prior experience and relevant coursework, to Dr. Gurbuz via email or drop by my office to discuss.

📌 What We Offer

  • A collaborative and interdisciplinary research environment.
  • Be a part of cutting edge AI/ML research on physical radar, sensing and communication systems.
  • Access to advanced computing, UAV platforms, and software-defined radio testbeds (including AERPAW).
  • Opportunities to publish and present at leading conferences.
  • Mentorship to prepare you for careers in academia, industry, or government research.