Designing Systems for Cognitive Support

MIT Media Lab / Fluid Interfaces

Fluid Interfaces will be accepting 1-2 new Masters students in 2024

The Fluid Interfaces research group investigates how wearable and immersive systems can support cognitive functions such as attention, motivation, memory, emotion regulation, reasoning, behavior change, creativity and more . We design, build and study novel systems that can influence human behavior and cognition during wake and/or sleep time in natural settings. 

For the 2023 application cycle, we are especially interested in students interested in studying interventions for improving sleep. Note, we will only accept students with intention of a Masters degree, continuation for PhD may not be possible .

We look for applicants who:

  • are passionate about designing novel immersive and wearable systems that can support cognitive functions, sleep and wellbeing;
  • are interested in psychology and neuroscience, specifically the study of human behavior and how it can be influenced;
  • have the technical skills needed to turn their ideas into working prototypes: AI & ML, Human-Computer Interaction Design and Electrical Engineering (sensor technologies) are especially relevant;
  • are highly creative, inventive, and full of ideas;
  • are not afraid to pick up the new skills and knowledge they need to implement their visions;
  • are great team players and like to collaborate with others;
  • care about coming up with well thought-out, elegant, usable solutions;
  • are able to evaluate those solutions using rigorous methods and studies;
  • are excellent speakers and writers, including knowing how to author scientific reports; 
  • are self motivated, not afraid to work hard and require little instruction.

Special Requirements

Please give us a sense of why our group is right for you and how you would contribute. What novel ideas would you bring to the group? Your portfolio and/or webpages should document the different research projects you have worked on: what they are, what your role was in each of them (concept, implementation, evaluation, etc), what was interesting or innovative about each of them, and finally, some documentation of the results and/or resulting publications. Feel free to include some non-research interests and accomplishments as well (e.g. arts, music, organization and coordination of events, initiatives you have run, etc).

Learn about applying through the Program in Media Arts & Sciences.