Thank you for your interest in joining the Novel Mobile Robots Lab (abbreviated “NMbL” and pronounced like “nimble”) at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign! Due to the large volume of inquiries we receive, please follow these instructions carefully to ensure your inquiry is processed correctly.
Prospective Graduate Students to the U of I
Please apply to the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign Department of Mechanical Science and Engineering graduate program. List Justin Yim under Faculty Interest. As of Fall 2025, the lab cannot admit students applying to other departments but may be able to collaborate after admission (see “Current Graduate Students at the U of I” section below). If you wish to email Prof. Yim about joining the lab, please:
- Send your email near the time of your application submission
- Use the subject line “Prospective [PhD/MS] student interested in NMbL”
Note: Due to the volume of interest, we cannot meet with students before the application review, and Prof. Yim may not respond to your email until later in the application review process.
Current Graduate Students at the U of I
If you are a newly admitted or current graduate student interested in working with us, please email Prof. Yim with:
- Subject line: “Current [PhD/MS] student interested in NMbL”
- Attached Curriculum Vitae (CV) including relevant skills (programming languages, CAD tools, fabrication processes, embedded systems, robot software, etc.)
- Attached undergraduate and graduate transcripts
- Description of your interest in working with us: research interests, goals, and relevant background
- Important logistical details: funding requirements, fellowship status, timelines, or deadlines
Current Undergraduate Students at the U of I
Please fill out this form. (university email login required)
Prospective Visiting Researchers, Postdocs, and Earlier Stage Students
If you are interested in working with NMbL at a stage after graduate studies, before college, or otherwise don’t match the above categories, please email Prof. Yim with:
- Subject line: “[Visiting scholar/Postdoc/High school student/etc.] interested in NMbL”
- Description of your interest in working with us: research interests, goals, and relevant background
- Important logistical details: funding requirements, fellowship status, timelines, or deadlines
- Attached Curriculum Vitae (CV) or resume