Undergraduate Student Research Assistant – AI-Enhanced Virtual Reality for Networking Skills - Student Service

We are seeking a highly motivated undergraduate student with a strong background in computer science or a related field to support an interdisciplinary research project focused on developing an AI-enhanced virtual reality (VR) platform. This project, funded by the Innovation Hub’s “Teaching and Learning in an AI-Rich Environment” initiative, aims to improve students' networking skills through immersive, generative AI-driven scenarios in VR.
The student will work closely with researchers in hospitality, AI, and visualization to prototype AI agents, contribute to virtual simulation development, and assist in performance benchmarking and fine-tuning. The position will be remote-friendly with optional on-site meetings and will run through August 2025

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  Assist with the design and development of generative AI agents for VR-based social simulations
  
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  Support the implementation and tuning of NLP models for personality-tailored interactions
  
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  Contribute to the integration of AI agents with selected VR platforms (e.g., ENGAGE VR)
  
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  Help coordinate data collection efforts and analyze results from user interaction studies
  
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  Participate in regular team meetings and collaborate with faculty, staff, and VR developers
  
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  Assist in documenting code, processes, and findings for internal reports and presentations
  

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  Currently enrolled undergraduate student in Computer Science, Data Science, or related field
  
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  Strong programming skills in Python
  
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  Familiarity with AI/ML libraries such as HuggingFace Transformers, LangChain, or PyTorch
  
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  Comfortable working with natural language datasets and fine-tuning pre-trained models
  
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  Ability to work independently and manage time effectively
  
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  Strong communication and documentation skills
  

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  Experience working with large language models or chatbot development
  
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  Prior exposure to reinforcement learning, prompt engineering, or model evaluation techniques
  
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  Familiarity with VR/AR development tools or simulation platforms
  
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  Interest in human-computer interaction or education technology
  

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  Gain hands-on experience in generative AI application within VR environments
  
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  Learn to fine-tune and evaluate LLMs for soft-skill training use cases
  
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  Contribute to research with real-world impact and potential publication opportunities
  
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  Develop collaborative skills while working on a cross-functional academic team
  
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  Build domain-specific expertise in AI ethics, personalization, and educational technology