Network Intelligence and Computing Ecosystem (NICE)
Research Aim
At the NICE Lab, we envision a future where AI and networks converge to create intelligent digital ecosystems. Our mission is to pioneer transformative technologies at this intersection, developing next-generation systems that are both technologically advanced and human-centric, ultimately building the foundation for a fully connected, intelligent world.
NICE@HKU Github: https://github.com/NICE-HKU
Team Members
Researchers
 | Feiran You (Email: youfr@hku.hk) Postdoctoral researcher, since 03/2025 Research interests: Edge intelligence, reinforcement learning Prior Degree: Ph.D., The University of Sydney |
PhD Students
(in alphabetical order by last name)
 | Yuwei Du (Email: hiimingwei AT gmail.com) Starting 2026 Research interests: LLM agents, Embodied AI, Urban Science Prior Prior Degree: M.S., Tsinghua University |
 | Enhan Li (Email: lienhan_eee AT connect.hku.hk) Starting 2025 Research interests: Networking system Prior Degree: M.S., University of Chinese Academy of Sciences Research Translation: 🛠️ Core Researcher of project ''Generative Collaboration for AI Business Experience'', HK$1.06M, Oct 2025–Oct 2026 |
 | Zongxi Liu (Email: 1754627980 AT qq.com) Starting 2025 Research interests: Wireless communications Prior Degree: M.S., Nanjing University Research Translation: 🛠️ Core Researcher of project ''Communication Network Traffic Foundation Model'', HK$1.64M, Jun 2025–May 2026 |
 | Jiabao Wang (Email: 1411783572 AT qq.com) Starting 2026 Research interests: VLA, Autonomous Driving Prior Degree: M.S., University of Chinese Academy of Sciences |
 | Ruoxuan Yang (Email: rosheenanea AT outlook.com) Starting 2025 Research interests: Human–computer interaction Prior Degree: M.S., Tsinghua University Highlights: 🌐 2026: WoZ |
 | Xingkun Yin (Email: xingkunyin AT hotmail.com) Starting 2025 Research interests: large language models Prior Degree: M.S., Boston University Research Translation: 🛠️ Core Researcher of project ''Supernode Cloud-based Multimodal Inference Acceleration Technology'', HK$1.30M, Dec 2025–Nov 2026 |
 | Shiyuan Zhang (Email: 15840095453 AT 163.com) Starting 2025 Research interests: Mobile traffic prediction, LLM, diffusion model Prior Degree: M.S., Tsinghua University Academic Development: 🔬 Core Researcher of project ''Generative Perception of Spatial Semantics and Network Collaborative Optimization'', RMB 300K, Jan 2027–Dec 2029 |
 | Jiayu Zhang (Email: 1716432475 AT qq.com) Starting 2026 Research interests: LLM Knowledge Editing, Causal Learning Prior Degree: M.S., Peking University |
MPhil Students
 | Yunuo Hu (Email: xiran_111 AT qq.com) Starting 2025 Research interests: LLM Prior Degree: B.S., Tongji University Highlights: 🌐 2026: Tool-Using Agent Survey |
 | Junhao He (Email: hjh2003 AT connect.hku.hk) Starting 2026 Research interests: LLM infra Prior Degree: B.S., The University of Hong Kong (URFP) |
 | Yilai Liu (Email: 2369475677 AT qq.com) Starting 2025 Research interests: LLM, diffusion model Prior Degree: B.S., Beijing University of Posts and Telecommunications |
 | Wenqi Pei (Email: wenqipei AT foxmail.com) Starting 2025 Research interests: LLM Prior Degree: B.S., National University of Singapore |
 | Jinghao Zhou (Email: wy1349585703 AT 163.com) Starting 2026 Research interests: LLM Prior Degree: B.S., Tsinghua University |
 | Baihan Zhang (Email: zhang_baihan AT 163.com) Starting 2026 Research interests: Intelligent sensing, wireless communications Prior Degree: B.Eng., Harbin Engineering University |
Alumni
Visiting PhD Student, 2025–2026
Home Institution: Sun Yat-sen University
Research interests: Semantic Communications
Visiting PhD Student, 2024–2025
Home Institution: Xi'an Jiaotong University
Research interests: Reinforcement Learning, LLM
Expectations
Our research is highly interdisciplinary, involving collaboration with experts from AI, networking systems, human–computer interaction, and electrical engineering. Here is what we are looking for
- Passion for Learning: Strong self-motivation and ability to quickly learn from new fields.
- Academic Foundation: Academic background in computer science, AI, electrical engineering, electronic information/communication engineering, mathematics, or related fields. Candidates with bachelor’s degrees from 985 / QS Top 50 universities or 211 / QS Top 80 universities + strong publication records are encouraged due to HKU committee considerations.
- Experience: Relevant research experience and coding ability demonstrated through papers, projects, or competitions.
- Personal Qualities: Responsibility, reliability, and good communication skills.
Graduation Requirements: A PhD degree is just a ticket for your future career, so there is NO requirement for the NUMBER of papers. Instead, the graduation requirement is for us to work together to help you find a satisfactory job, which marks the success of our collaborative journey.
Special Openings
Several PhD and RA openings are currently available to support recently launched projects.
PhD OpeningHuman-Computer Interaction for Advanced AI Systems
We are looking for motivated PhD applicants interested in Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), especially Human-AI Interaction. The focus is on new interaction paradigms enabled by large language models, AI agents, embodied intelligence, world models, machine entities, and intelligent environments, and on studying how people understand, use, collaborate with, and are affected by these systems.
We welcome applicants from diverse disciplinary backgrounds. Candidates are expected to have a genuine interest in HCI and some familiarity with AI/ML and/or empirical research methods. Prior experience in user-centered research would be an advantage.
Research Assistant / DeveloperUnreal Engine Developer for AI World-Model Platforms
We are looking for a Research Assistant or developer with experience in Unreal Engine to help build interactive simulation and world-model platforms for intelligent systems. The position combines research prototyping and engineering development, with a focus on real-time 3D environments, synthetic data generation, AI-driven agents, embodied intelligence, and network-aware digital twins.
How to apply
If you are interested in joining NICE Lab or would like more information, please contact me:
- Email: duhy AT hku.hk
- Subject Line: PhD/xx Application-University-Name
- Attachments: CV, undergraduate transcripts, relevant publications, and research statement (optional; one page discussing your research background and its relevance to my work)
Because of the high volume of emails I receive, I may not be able to respond to everyone, including some excellent applicants. However, please note that I do read every email and will reply to those that are most relevant to my research. I wish everyone the best of luck in finding the position that suits them best.