News | February 16, 2026

Professor Ozcan Publishes Paper on Machine Learning-Automated Microfluidic Circuit Design

In collaboration with Koc University, Professor Aydogan Ozcan published a new paper in Science Advances (AAAS) on machine learning-automated microfluidic circuit design. Microfluidics enable high-precision and cost-effective processing of biological and chemical substances. However, designing and fabricating microfluidic chips typically requires substantial expertise and numerous design iterations, posing considerable barriers to entry for nonexperts. To solve this, Ozcan’s group introduced μFluidicGenius (μFG), an open-access, machine learning (ML)–augmented design tool that enables nonexpert users to rapidly create functional microfluidic circuits.

Please see the paper.

Professor Babakhani’s Group Publishes Paper on Novel Complementary Self-Injection-Locked (CSIL) Radar

Professor Aydin Babakhani’s group published a novel complementary self-injection-locked (CSIL) radar architecture for low-power, high-accuracy THz phase sensing in IEEE Transactions on Microwave Theory and Techniques. Unlike conventional phase-sensing radars, the CSIL technique does not require frequency synthesis, enabling a compact architecture with low power consumption. It consists of a coupled oscillator pair with envelope detectors that sense oscillation amplitude. The oscillator is connected to a novel on-chip hybrid-mode dual-polarized slot antenna for radiation. The CSIL radar employs the self-injection locking (SIL) technique, where a portion of the transmitted signal reflects off the target and is reinjected into the radar. Due to the coupled nature of the system, this self-injection process induces an amplitude imbalance between the oscillators as a function of target distance. By measuring this amplitude imbalance with the envelope detectors, the system can estimate relative displacements within an unambiguous range of λ/4. The CSIL architecture is inherently immune to self-interference. It also features an autodyne design with a single-phase center, allowing easy integration with external optics such as lenses or mirrors. The radar is fabricated using the TSMC 65-nm process. Operating at 232GHz, it achieves a static range accuracy of 20μm while consuming only 4.6mW of dc power. The architecture also supports 3-D imaging, demonstrated through preliminary imaging experiments. These results establish CSIL as a promising solution for compact, energy-efficient mm-wave and THz sensors for precision sensing and imaging applications.

Please see the paper.

Distinguished Professor Rahmat-Samii and Team Present 3 Papers at 2026 USNC_URSI Conference in Boulder, Colorado

Distinguished Professor Yahya Rahmat-Samii and his research team presented their latest work at the 2026 USNC-URSI National Radio Science Meeting, held in Boulder, Colorado, from January 6–9, 2026. Sponsored by the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine and the IEEE Antennas and Propagation Society, this premier national and international forum highlighted cutting-edge advancements across the full spectrum of radio science. Professor Rahmat-Samii previously served as Chairman of the United States National Committee of URSI from 2009 to 2011, providing national leadership within the International Union of Radio Science community.

ECE Department Alumni Reception in San Francisco on February 17th

UCLA’s ECE department will be hosting an Alumni Reception at the ISSCC Conference in San Francisco on Feb 17 from 5:30-7:30pm. Join us for this opportunity to reconnect with our valued alumni through open discussions with current faculty and students.

Please RSVP.

Student Awards

Ali Jabbari Receives Graduate Fellowship from IEEE Microwave Theory and Techniques Society

Ali Jabbari from Prof. Jarrahi’s Lab has been selected to receive a Graduate Fellowship from the IEEE Microwave Theory and Techniques Society (MTT-S) for his work on Monolithically Integrated Terahertz Optoelectronics.

Events/Seminars

Upcoming PHD Defenses

Scholarships

Laura Bassi Scholarship

The Laura Bassi Scholarship was established in 2018 with the aim of providing editorial assistance to postgraduates and junior academics whose research focuses on neglected topics of study, broadly construed. The scholarships are open to every discipline and the next round of funding will be awarded in Spring 2026:

Application deadline: 8 March 2026
Results: 20 March 2026

All currently enrolled master’s and doctoral candidates are eligible to apply, as are academics in the first five years of full-time employment. Applicants are required to submit a completed application form along with their CV through the application portal by the relevant deadline. Further details, including previous winners, and the application portal can be found here.

Wireless History Foundation Scholarship

The Wireless History Foundation is now accepting applications for its Scholarship Program, which supports graduate students pursuing careers in the wireless industry. Through the generous support of our sponsors, the program provides $7,500 awards to outstanding students enrolled in graduate-level study across disciplines such as technology, engineering, law, policy, and communications.

As part of its mission to preserve the legacy of wireless innovation while investing in the future, the Wireless History Foundation created this scholarship to help cultivate the next generation of industry leaders. Scholarship recipients are selected based on academic excellence, leadership potential, and a demonstrated interest in advancing the wireless ecosystem. Graduate students who are passionate about shaping the future of connectivity are encouraged to apply.

Please see the website and application.

Student Organizations

DataX Center for Quantum Data Sciences Kickoff & CQSE Annual Meeting

Please RSVP.

HKN to Host PwC Infosession at UCLA on 2/19

PwC is excited to announce a new program, Engineer Your Career. This is a three-day, in-person experience designed to introduce you to how PwC brings together human insight and emerging technology to solve complex problems. Through interactive sessions, hands-on activities and impactful conversations with professionals across our Lines of Service, you can gain perspectives on what a potential tech-powered career at PwC can look like. You’ll have the opportunity to connect with technologists, problem solvers and leaders who are shaping what’s next—while building the clarity and confidence to map your own path forward.

To be considered for Engineer Your Career, you must:

Apply to a 2027 AI Engineering/Data Scientist or Software Engineering internshi p (eligible graduation dates are between December 2027 and August 2028)
Be pursuing a major in one of the following academic fields of study: Computer Science, Data Science, Computer Engineering, AI/AI Engineering, Human Computer Interaction, Machine Learning, Software Engineering, Business Analytics, Data Analytics, Information Systems/Technology, Industrial Engineering, Management Information Systems, Mathematics, or Statistics

Please see below for details:

UCLA Event Details (hosted with HKN)
Date: Thursday, February 19
Time: 5pm – 6:30pm PT
PwC will confirm venue details upon receipt of your RSVP.

Sign Up: Register here by Monday, February 16!

Invitation to Mentor: Connect with the Next Generation of UCLA ECE Students

The UCLA chapter of Eta Kappa Nu (HKN) is launching its Winter Mentorship Program and is looking for alumni to help bridge the gap between academic life and industry reality.

We are seeking former UCLA engineering graduates to:

Provide 1:1 advice to current students.
Share insights on current industry trends.
Help students understand what it takes to thrive in the field today.

We are also planning an in-person get-together for mentors and mentees in the Spring (food provided!) to help build community and connect face-to-face.

Whether you are working in hardware, software, or research, your experience is invaluable to the next generation of Bruins.

How to Join:
If you are willing to mentor a student this Winter Quarter, please fill out this brief form.

Job Opportunities

Solidigm Internship Opportunity

Solidigm, a leading SSD company advancing cutting-edge AI technologies, is currently opening an internship position for senior graduate students. This internship has the potential to convert to a full-time offer upon strong performance.

Internship Requirements:

Master’s or Ph.D. students, graduating this year or next year (Ph.D. candidates preferred)
Availability for at least a 6-month internship
Strong software coding skills
Solid background in AI, including unsupervised learning, Large Language Models (LLMs) and Reinforcement Learning
Knowledge of SSD/storage systems is a plus

Can be remote.
Please email Lei Chen at Lei.Chen@solidigm.com if you are interested in this internship opportunity.

Faculty Positions: Electrical Engineering ITAM (Mexico City)

The Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering at ITAM (Instituto Tecnológico Autónomo de México) invites applications for Tenure-track Assistant Professors, postdoctoral fellows, and Visiting Professors in the following areas:

Electronics & Electrical Power Systems
Mechanical Systems and (Cyber-) Physical System Dynamics
Control Systems
Signal Processing
Telecommunications Networks and IoT

Requirements

Ph.D. (or near completion) from a top-tier university in electrical or mechanical engineering.
A proven record of high-quality research and peer-reviewed publications.
A commitment to excellence in teaching and institutional service.
No Spanish proficiency is required (classes can be taught in English).

Application Instructions
Review of applications begins immediately. Please submit the following documents to enlaceadministrativodai@itam.mx:

Cover Letter: Stating desired rank, research vision, and teaching philosophy.
Curriculum Vitae: Including a complete publication record.

Ultraintense Lasers and High Field Photonics REU

The Ultraintense Lasers and High Field Photonics Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) program is currently accepting applications for Summer 2026. Students accepted to this 10-week REU program will conduct hands-on research at either Colorado State University or University of California, Berkeley. Since 2003, the Engineering Research Center at CSU and UCB has hosted over 350 undergraduate students.

Why should you apply?

Ground-breaking research– By applying for this research experience, you have the chance to be mentored by world-class faculty and researchers who work every day to advance the science that runs our world. As an REU intern in our labs, you could play a role in the newest groundbreaking laser technology, which has applications from the generation of clean, virtually limitless energy to the fabrication of microchips that drive the future of data storage and artificial intelligence. Our research projects are technically and scientifically challenging and highly interdisciplinary, combining engineering, chemistry, physics, and materials science.
Industry partnerships– We have partnered with four of the top companies in the field, ASML, Marvel Fusion, Xcimer Energy, and ThorLabs, to offer current undergraduate students who complete a summer of research in our program the opportunity to complete a Second Summer Experience paid internship in industry. CSU is also partnering with Marvel Fusion to build a $150 million next-generation fusion energy research facility.
Career development– Summer REU interns from our program have been accepted into some of the top graduate schools in the nation, published journal papers as first authors from their REU research, and become mentors themselves in the REU program. Graduate students and postdocs from our labs have also gone on to hold leadership positions at many leading employers in the field.
Outstanding location– Don’t forget the amazing settings where this research takes place: Fort Collins, Colorado, and Berkeley, California. Both sites are situated in regional technology hubs and offer endless opportunities for weekend adventures.

Benefits

$7000 stipend
Room and board
Up to $600 towards travel

Questions? Contact the REU Program Coordinator Alauna Sutton at Alauna.sutton@colostate.edu

Ready to apply? Visit: https://lasers.colostate.edu/research-experience-for-undergraduate-students/

California State University, Long Beach (CSULB) Hiring for Assistant Professor Positions

The Department of Computer Engineering and Computer Science (CECS) at California State University, Long Beach invites applications for three tenure-track Assistant Professor positions in Software Engineering, Computer Engineering, Cybersecurity, or closely related areas, beginning August 17, 2026.

Application Submission and Deadline
For full position descriptions and the application portal, please visit:

Review of applications will begin January 20, 2026, and the position will remain open until filled or recruitment is canceled.

Cellular SOC Design Verification Engineer – Entry Level at Apple

Do you have a passion for invention and self-challenge? This position gives you an opportunity to be a part of one of the most cutting edge and key projects that Apple’s Silicon Engineering Group has embarked upon to-date. As a Design Verification Engineer on our team, you’ll be at the center of the verification effort within our silicon design group responsible for crafting and productizing state-of-the-art Cellular SoCs!

You will have the opportunity to contribute to the verification effort of a set of complex SOCs delivering the Cellular solution. You will integrate multiple sophisticated IP level DV environments, craft highly reusable best-in-class UVM based test bench, implement effective coverage driven and directed test suites, deploy new tools and methodologies to deliver chips that are right-first-time. By collaborating with other product development groups across Apple, you can push the industry boundaries of what cellular systems can do and improve the product experience for our customers across the world!

Minimum Qualifications:
BS in EE or CS is required
Object Oriented Programming
Coursework in Digital Design

Preferred Qualifications:
MS in EE or CS
Coursework in Computer Architecture, Networking Protocol
Should be a great teammate with excellent communication and problem-solving skills and the
desire to seek diverse challenges.
Programming experience in SystemVerilog, Python, C++

Application details:

Candidates must be graduating this December
Please include your current GPA with your resume
Please send resume directly to Junhui Lou at j_lou@apple.com

Carnegie Mellon University – ECE Faulty Position

The Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at Carnegie Mellon University invites applications for tenure-track, research-track, and teaching-track faculty positions at all ranks on our Pittsburgh campus. Although we welcome applicants in all areas of ECE, this year we are particularly interested in candidates whose research focuses on machine learning and artificial intelligence.

Our top-ranked department offers a highly collaborative environment, world-class research infrastructure, and strong support for interdisciplinary scholarship. Applicants should hold a PhD in a relevant field. Application review will begin shortly and will continue until the positions are filled.

Faculty application link: https://apply.interfolio.com/174597
When applying, please also email Andrea Zanette at zanette@cmu.edu

Hiring PhD Interns/FTE for Training and Inference of Foundation Models in AWS Neuron Science

From Amazon Web Services Neuron Science:

Our team in AWS AI Research is looking for a couple of PhD FTE/interns passionate about advancing fundamental research in foundation models. Our algorithm team focuses on developing innovative solutions in the topic of Algorithm-System for LLMs (efficient model design, training, inference) LLM-for-System (LLMs and agents that write optimized kernels). These efforts require both a strong theoretical foundation and a practical understanding of topics such as foundation modeling, distributed optimization, model compression, and machine learning systems. We work closely with system researchers to ensure our algorithmic solutions are compatible with system and hardware constraints, training and testing end2end in accuracy and speed. At the same time, the algorithmic innovation we bring can contribute improving systems and future hardware feature to incorporate.

Basic Qualifications

Hands-on experience with large language models (LLMs), including:
- Model architecture, datasets, evaluation metrics, and pre-/post-training techniques
- Distributed training techniques, such as parallelism, mixed-precision methods, optimizers, stochastic rounding, and IO-aware training
- Compression and inference strategies, including pruning, quantization, and speculative decoding
- Post-training of SFT and RL to enhance reasoning capability
- Leveraging LLM to improve ML system and kernel programming
Eager to learn effective system kernel implementation if needed
Enrolled PhD student in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Mathematics, or a related field
First authored papers in top venues like NeurIPS, ICLR, ICML.

Preferred Qualifications

Strong theoretical background, such as distributed optimization, compression, or RL
Strong hands-on experience on pre-training (e.g., low-precision training) or post-training (e.g., SFT, RLHF, GRPO)
Proven experience with foundation models, including LLMs, multi-modal models
Experience in establishing scaling laws for training and inference time-scaling
Knowledge of distributed systems and experience developing low-level, high-performant kernels

Selected Publications

This year, our team has published multiple papers that bridge the gap between theory and practice in LLM research. We also actively collaborate with system and hardware engineers across the AWS organization to deliver tutorials. Below is a list of recent publications:

[Under review] MuonBP: Faster Muon via Block-Periodic Orthogonalization Arxiv
[Under review] Scaling Laws Meet Model Architecture: Toward Inference-Efficient LLMs Arxiv
[Under review] TritonRL: Training LLMs to Think and Code Triton Without Cheating Arxiv
[Under review] Demystifying Transition Matching: When and Why It Can Beat Flow Matching Arxiv
[Under review] Not-a-Bandit: Provably No-Regret Drafter Selection in Speculative Decoding for LLMs Arxiv
[IJCAI 2025] Tutorial: Scaling LLM Training: Efficient Pre-training & Fine-tuning on AI Accelerators
[AISTATS 2025] Training LLMs with MXFP4 Paper
[AISTATS 2025] Stochastic Rounding for LLM Training: Theory and Practice Paper
[ICML 2025] ProxSparse – Regularized Learning of Semi-Structured Sparsity Masks for Pretrained LLMs Paper
[ICML 2025] RoSTE – An Efficient Quantization-Aware Supervised Fine-Tuning Approach Paper
[ICML 2025] WaveletToken – Enhancing Foundation Models for Time Series Forecasting via Wavelet-based Tokenization Paper
[ICML 2024] Collage: Light-Weight Low-Precision Strategy for LLM Training Paper
[ICML 2024] Variance-reduced Zeroth-Order Methods for Fine-Tuning Language Models Paper
[ICML 2024] MADA: Meta-Adaptive Optimizers through Hyper-gradient Descent Paper
[ICML 2024] EMC^2: Efficient MCMC Negative Sampling for Contrastive Learning with Global Convergence Paper
[NeurIPS 2024] Posterior Sampling with a Diffusion Prior for Online Learning Paper
[IEEE BigData 2024] HLAT: High-quality Large Language Model Pre-trained on AWS Trainium Paper
[KDD 2024] Survey: Inference Optimization of Foundation Models on AI Accelerators Paper
[KDD 2024] Tutorial: Inference Optimization of Foundation Models for AI Accelerators
[KDD 2023] Tutorial: Training Large-scale Foundation Models on Emerging AI Chips

We also collaborate more system-oriented topics like publications below

[MLSys 2025] Marconi: Prefix Caching for the Era of Hybrid LLM Paper
[MLSys 2025] ScaleFusion: Scalable Inference of Spatial-Temporal Diffusion Transformers for High-Resolution Long Video Generation Paper
[MLSys 2025] FastTree: Optimizing Attention Kernel and Runtime for Tree-Structured LLM Inference Paper

If you are excited to push the boundaries of foundation model research and make impactful contributions, we would love to hear from you! We also constantly hire full-time PhDs. Please send your CV to Youngsuk Park pyoungsu@amazon.com | youngsuk@cs.stanford.edu (cc Kaan Ozkara kaanozka@amazon.com) with a short paragraph of your interest.

TSMC Global Summer Internship Program

Postdoctoral Researcher: Modeling and Stability Analysis for Modern Power Systems

Please see this link for more information regarding this position.

Researcher II/III: EMT Modeling, Simulation and Analysis for Large-Scale Power Systems

Please see this link for more information regarding this position.

Part time Project with Professor Pirouz Kavehpour

We’re seeking an expert developer for a project‑based engagement (not hourly) to build and optimize scalable applications, deploy on Azure Cloud, and integrate GPU‑accelerated embedding software. This role requires deep technical expertise, independence, and the ability to deliver high‑quality solutions within defined project milestones.

What You’ll Work On

GPU Embedding Service (Containerized)—FastAPI (Python), ML/embeddings, Docker + NVIDIA Container Toolkit, Azure GPU (VM/AKS/ACI), CI/CD with Azure Container Registry (ACR).
Triage Pipeline with DB & Integrations—Node.js/TypeScript (workers/cron), PostgreSQL (SQL, locks), REST API integration, Azure services (Blob, AI Search, Webhooks).
Website Integration & Admin UI—Next.js 15 (App Router, API routes, Server Actions), TypeScript + React, PostgreSQL queries, UI/UX for job tables & status.

Requirements

Expertise in Next.js 15, Node.js, TypeScript, React, and PostgreSQL.
Hands‑on experience deploying to Azure (preferably using ACR, AKS/ACI, Web Apps, andmanaged services).
Proficiency with containerized GPU workflows (Docker, NVIDIA Container Toolkit).
Strong understanding of REST APIs, background workers/cron, SQL performance (indexes,
locks), and secure auth patterns.
Track record of independently delivering production‑grade solutions on schedule and tospec.

Nice to Have

FastAPI and Python ML/embeddings experience.
Azure AI Search, Blob, and Webhooks integrations.
CI/CD pipelines (GitHub Actions or Azure DevOps).
Admin UI/Design System experience for operational dashboards.

How We Work
Project‑based milestones, clear acceptance criteria, frequent check‑ins, and code reviews.
We value pragmatic engineering, performance, and maintainability.

Send your information to: Prof. Pirouz Kavehpour—Pirouz@seas.ucla.edu

The University of Alabama is in search of Professors

If you are completing your PhD this year (or who have recently graduated) that are interested in opportunities to continue your research careers on the tenure track, the University of Alabama is in search of an assistant professor.

Electrical and Computer Engineering – Assistant Professor – 527587 – Tuscaloosa, Alabama, United States

The search is currently active and they’ll begin reviewing applications received through the online submission system in the next few weeks.

They are also recruiting at the Associate and Full Professor levels. Those links with further details are below:

Electrical and Computer Engineering – Associate Professor – 527631 – Tuscaloosa, Alabama, United States

Electrical and Computer Engineering – Professor – 527632 – Tuscaloosa, Alabama, United States

Electrical/Computer Engineering Intern at Sophia Space

A well-funded deep-tech startup in Pasadena is seeking Electrical/Computer Engineering Interns to help develop its AI-powered product prototypes. The interns are expected to blend electronics hardware and embedded software to build groundbreaking AI infrastructure in space. Roles are available full-time or part-time starting immediately, with the option to continue part-time (~10–15 hrs/week) during the academic year.

Please see this link for more information regarding this position.

Engineer or Project Manager at DMF Lighting

DMF Lighting designs and builds industry-leading LED downlighting that sets the standard for flexibility, performance, and quality. Founded over 30 years ago, DMF has grown into a leader in the lighting industry, driven by a passion for innovation and customer service.

Our in-house engineers constantly push the boundaries of lighting, delivering products that combine exceptional performance with beautiful design. At DMF, we believe in a collaborative, forward-thinking culture that empowers our team to bring creative ideas to life and make a lasting impact. If you’re looking for a company where creativity and innovation are part of the DNA, DMF is the place for you.

We currently have the following openings available:

Electrical Engineer, Sr. Electrical Engineer, Embedded Firmware Engineer, Mechanical Engineer I, Mechanical Engineer, Project Manager

Website: www.dmflighting.com

Please see this link for more information regarding these positions.

Contact: Helen Portillo, Human Resources Generalist at HPortillo@dmflighting.com

Newsletter Submissions

To be included in future newsletters, please send the latest news, awards, publications and any upcoming PhD oral defenses to the Chair’s assistant, Winda Mak, at wmak@seas.ucla.edu. Please include “newsletter submission” in the subject line. The ECE newsletters will be sent bimonthly on the first and third Mondays of the month. Please ensure all submissions are received by the Wednesday before distribution to be included in the newsletter.