The XR-Lab is looking for students all year long, with the following requirements:
- Passion for finding creative solutions using Extended Reality
- Strong design and 3D modeling skills
- Technical expertise in Unreal Engine
- Confidence to rapidly develop new skills and explore the unfamiliar ground
- Enjoys team efforts
Students usually join the Lab projects through:
- Independent study course with Ming Tang. ARCH 4091-020/ARCH 7090-020 (1~3 credit. unpaid)
- Co-Op / EEP ( paid/unpaid)
- Student workers (hourly paid, flexible hours per week)
- Graduate Assistant ( paid, fixed hours per semester)
- Post-doc / Research associate ( paid with a fixed salary)
Special Requirements:
A portfolio of work is required with your application. Posting materials online is encouraged. Please reach out to Lab Director Ming Tang for further questions.
Process of joining XR-Lab
Level 1: Volunteer phase. Non-paid
Students will be trained in how to use Unreal for XR development. Please contact Prof. Tang to access training materials and access GitHub.
Level-2. Student worker. Co-op
Students will be paid based on an hourly rate, involving various projects as team members. Students will get full lab access.
Level-3. Lab Fellow
Students will be paid based on an hourly rate with a long-term contract, involving various projects as team leaders. Students will gain access to the lab with their own keys.
FAQ
What programming skills do I need to work in the Lab?
We use Unreal Blueprint. Please reach out to Lab to gain access to training materials in your Phase 1.
What modeling skills do I need to work in the Lab?
It will be good for students to have some basic 3D modeling skills. We do not have a specific preference. Student are encouraged to master at least one software from a list of popular 3D modeling programs such as Blender, Sketchup, Rhino, SolidWorks, Maya, Max, Revit, Fusion, etc.
Before contacting your lab, is there any tutorials I can follow to build up my Unreal skill?
As a UC student, you have access to all Unreal engine Here is one to get started Unreal tutorials in Linked In ( formal Lynda)
Once you feel comfortable with the basics, please contact Prof. Tang for advanced tutorials and get access to XR-Lab’s GitHub.
I am experienced with Unity, not Unreal. Can I work on lab projects with Unity?
All lab projects use Unreal. Your Unity skills would be a good starting point to learn Unreal quickly since both game engines share a similar pipeline. You still need to go through level 1 to gain skills in Unreal.
Can I work on my thesis/dissertation project in the lab?
Yes. Students are encouraged to integrate their projects with lab research on XR. You can have access to lab resources to facilitate your own XR research.
Does the lab support co-op?
Yes. Please be aware that the lab can only support hourly-paid work instead of fixed 40 hours/week.
Students can choose flexible hours to work in the lab, depending on the projects.
Does the lab support independent study?
Yes. Please reach out to Prof. Tang with your proposal. Past projects include XR, AI, Digital Twin, eye-tracking, human behavior, and visualization.
