Get Involved
Find the right opportunity for you — whether you're a student, educator, researcher, or study participant.
Current Opportunities
Current University Students
We offer research opportunities for undergraduate and graduate students at the University of Maine interested in HCI, computing education, and educational technology.
Types of Research Work
- Designing and prototyping educational tools
- Conducting user studies and classroom evaluations
- Analyzing qualitative and quantitative research data
- Literature reviews and research writing
Relevant Backgrounds
Computer science, human-centered technology design, education, psychology, or related fields. Experience with programming, UX design, or research methods is helpful but not required.
Time Commitment
Typically 5–10 hours per week for at least one semester. Summer research positions may also be available.
Compensation Options
Paid positions, course credit, independent study, or volunteer arrangements depending on availability and student preference.
How to Apply
Fill out our interest form for on-campus research assistant positions. Include your year, major, relevant coursework or experience, and what you hope to gain from research.
Prospective PhD Students
We are recruiting PhD students for Fall 2026.
The lab is part of the PhD in Computing and Information Science at the University of Maine. We seek students interested in HCI, computing education, and the design of educational technologies.
Research Alignment
Ideal candidates are excited about designing and evaluating tools for novice computing learners, with interests in scaffolding, feedback, AI in education, or participatory design with educators.
Before You Apply
Please fill out our form for prospective PhD students so we can learn about your research interests, skills, and goals. We encourage you to contact the director before submitting your official application.
What to Include in Your Email
- Brief description of your research interests
- Relevant experience (research, industry, teaching)
- Why you want to pursue a PhD and work with our lab
- CV or resume
Educators & Community Partners
We partner with educators and community organizations to co-design and evaluate educational tools in authentic learning contexts.
Types of Partnerships
- Interviews about teaching practices and learner needs
- Co-design workshops for educational tool development
- Classroom studies and pilot testing
- Professional development sessions
- Collaborative grant proposals
What Participation Involves
Partnerships are tailored to your context and capacity. Activities may range from a single interview to semester-long classroom collaborations. We prioritize minimal disruption to your teaching.
To begin a conversation, email us at zihan.wu@maine.edu with a brief description of your context and interests.
Research Collaborators
We welcome collaborations with researchers in HCI, computing education, learning sciences, and related fields.
Areas for Collaboration
- Educational tool design and evaluation
- Parsons problems and programming feedback
- AI in computing education
- Large-scale classroom studies
See our research page for current projects, and reach out to discuss potential collaborations.
Contact
Email: zihan.wu@maine.edu
University: University of Maine
Department: School of Computing and Information Science
Location: Orono, Maine
What to include in your inquiry:
- Your role (student, educator, researcher, etc.)
- Brief description of your interests or goals
- Relevant background or experience
- Your timeline or availability