Thermal systems
Mechanical & HVAC
Thermodynamics, heat transfer, fluid mechanics, HVAC&R, heat pumps, thermal storage, or building energy systems.
Join ESIL
Build and test the next generation of intelligent energy systems.
ESIL welcomes researchers who want to connect rigorous engineering models and algorithms with real HVAC, heat-pump, sensor, building, and energy-system data.
Who may be a good fit
Strong applicants do not need to arrive with every skill. We value strong fundamentals, persistence, independent problem-solving, clear communication, and genuine interest in energy-system modeling, controls, data, or experimentation.
Intelligence
Controls & optimization
Dynamic systems, control theory, MPC, system identification, numerical optimization, or cyber-physical systems.
Computation
Data & simulation
Python/MATLAB, machine learning, time-series analysis, Modelica, EnergyPlus, simulation, or data acquisition.
Opportunities
Ways to work with ESIL
Different paths into the lab have different expectations. Please use the guidance below to make your first contact focused and useful.
Prospective Ph.D. students
Apply with a clear research fit
Review the Research and Publications pages first and identify one or two ESIL directions that genuinely match your background or goals. In your first email, include your CV, unofficial transcripts, a short research-fit statement, and your intended 2027 entry period. If available, attach one representative publication, thesis, technical project, or code sample that demonstrates your preparation.
Current OU graduate students
Bring a defined technical question
Current M.S. or Ph.D. students interested in collaborating should briefly describe their program, advisor if applicable, relevant coursework or research skills, and the specific ESIL topic they want to explore. Strong starting points include controls, modeling, heat pumps, building-grid flexibility, diagnostics, data analysis, or experiments. Short-term collaborations are most useful when there is a concrete technical task and a clear connection to your primary research program.
Undergraduate / FYRE students
Start with fundamentals and a manageable project
Undergraduate and FYRE students should send their major, year, relevant courses, programming or laboratory experience, and approximate weekly availability. Projects are scoped so students can build research skills through modeling, data analysis, instrumentation, literature review, or experimental support before taking on more independent work. Prior research experience is helpful but not required when motivation and preparation are strong.
Visiting / collaborative researchers
Propose a specific collaboration
Faculty, visiting scholars, industry researchers, and external collaborators are welcome to contact ESIL about clearly defined research problems that complement the lab's capabilities. A useful initial message should identify the technical objective, expected contribution from each group, relevant facilities or data, approximate timeline, and potential outputs such as experiments, proposals, software, or publications. Collaborative work should have a clear mutual research benefit rather than a general request for affiliation.
Ph.D. inquiries
Make your research fit easy to understand.
A concise, specific first email is much more useful than a generic request. Show how your preparation connects to the research you want to do in ESIL.
Suggested email package
1) CV or résumé
2) Unofficial transcripts
3) Short statement of research interests and ESIL fit
4) Representative publication, thesis, project, or code sample if available
5) Intended 2027 entry period
1) CV or résumé
2) Unofficial transcripts
3) Short statement of research interests and ESIL fit
4) Representative publication, thesis, project, or code sample if available
5) Intended 2027 entry period
A strong first email
Be specific
Identify one or two ESIL research directions that match your background or goals, briefly explain why, and highlight the technical preparation most relevant to that work.
Contact
Visit or contact ESIL
Research meetings and laboratory visits should be arranged in advance.
Laboratory
Energy Systems Intelligence Laboratory
Building 10A, Room 126
1928 Goddard Ave
Norman, OK 73069
The laboratory is located on OU's North Campus.
Contact
Junke Wang, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor
School of Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering
The University of Oklahoma
Email: junke.wang@ou.edu
Phone: (405) 325-1744
Office: Engineering Laboratory 112
Start with the research.
Review the Research and Publications pages before contacting the lab.