join.html

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title: Join the Lab
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          <p class="join-kicker">S<sup>2</sup>E LAB // RECRUITING</p>
          <h1>We want
            <span class="text-gold">you</span>
            to help advance the fields of
            <span class="text-danger">software security</span> and
            <span class="text-danger">software engineering</span>.
          </h1>
          <p class="join-lede">We welcome curious, ambitious, and driven students who want to work at the intersection of <strong>software engineering</strong> and <strong>software security</strong>.</p>
          <div class="join-actions">
            <a class="join-button join-button--primary" href="#opportunities">Explore opportunities <span aria-hidden="true">↓</span></a>
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          <figure class="join-poster">
            <img src="{{ "/assets/img/recruiting.png" | prepend: site.baseurl }}" alt="Joanna Santos portrayed in a classic patriotic recruiting poster, pointing toward the viewer">
            <figcaption><span>YOUR RESEARCH</span><span>CAN MAKE AN IMPACT.</span></figcaption>
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  <section id="opportunities" class="join-section join-section--light">
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        <p class="join-kicker">01 // FIND YOUR PATH</p>
        <h2>Ways to join the S<sup>2</sup>E lab</h2>
        <p>Choose the path that matches where you are in your studies. Every path starts with intellectual curiosity, initiative, and a genuine interest in our research.</p>
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      <div class="join-paths" aria-label="Application paths by student type">
        <div class="join-paths__start">Which student path describes you?</div>
        <div class="row join-cards">
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          <article class="join-card join-path">
            <span class="join-card__number">01</span>
            <h3>Ph.D. students</h3>
            <div class="join-path__step">
              <span class="join-path__label">Required</span>
              <strong>Apply to the Ph.D. program</strong>
              <p>Submit your application through Notre Dame’s formal admissions process and list Prof. Santos as a faculty member of interest.</p>
              <a href="https://cse.nd.edu/graduate/phd-in-computer-science-and-engineering/">Ph.D. program &amp; application <span aria-hidden="true">↗</span></a>
            </div>
            <div class="join-path__step join-path__step--optional">
              <span class="join-path__label">Optional</span>
              <strong>Email Prof. Santos</strong>
              <p>If you reach out, follow the guidelines below and attach your CV,  Transcripts, a one-page statement explaining your research interests and how they align with the work done by the lab, and relevant test scores (e.g. TOEFL, GRE, etc), if applicable.</p>
              <a href="#email-guidelines">Read the email guidelines <span aria-hidden="true">↓</span></a>
              
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          <article class="join-card join-path">
            <span class="join-card__number">02</span>
            <h3>Master’s students</h3>
            <div class="join-path__gate">
              <span class="join-path__label">Eligibility</span>
              <strong>Already at Notre Dame?</strong>
              <p>This path is for current ND master’s students looking for a capstone advisor.</p>
            </div>
            <div class="join-path__step">
              <span class="join-path__label">Next step</span>
              <strong>Email Prof. Santos</strong>
              <p>Follow the email guidelines and attach only your CV and transcripts.</p>
              <a href="#email-guidelines">Read the email guidelines <span aria-hidden="true">↓</span></a>              
            </div>
          </article>
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          <article class="join-card join-path">
            <span class="join-card__number">03</span>
            <h3>Undergraduates</h3>
            <div class="join-path__step">
              <span class="join-path__label">Required</span>
              <strong>Apply through STRAND</strong>
              <p>Find the S<sup>2</sup>E Lab project and submit your application through Notre Dame’s undergraduate research platform.</p>
              <a href="https://strand.nd.edu/">Visit STRAND <span aria-hidden="true">↗</span></a>
            </div>
            <div class="join-path__step join-path__step--optional">
              <span class="join-path__label">Optional</span>
              <strong>Email Prof. Santos</strong>
              <p>If you reach out, follow the guidelines and attach only your CV and transcripts.</p>
              <a href="#email-guidelines">Read the email guidelines <span aria-hidden="true">↓</span></a>
            </div>
          </article>
        </div>
        </div>
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  </section>

  <section id="email-guidelines" class="join-section join-section--dark">
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        <p class="join-kicker">02 // EMAIL GUIDELINES</p>
        <h2>Before you email</h2>
        <p class="join-email-guide__intro">Briefly introduce yourself, explain your interest in the S<sup>2</sup>E Lab, use the subject format for your student type, and attach the materials listed below.</p>

        <div class="join-email-paths" aria-label="Email requirements by student type">
          <article class="join-email-path">
            <h3>Ph.D.</h3>
            <div class="join-email-path__materials">
              <span>Attach</span>
              <p><em>CV</em><em>Transcripts</em><em>1-pg Statement</em><em>Test scores</em></p>
            </div>
            <div class="join-email-path__subject">
              <span>Subject</span>
              <code>[Prospective PhD Student] Semester 20XX</code>
            </div>
          </article>

          <article class="join-email-path">
            <h3>Master’s</h3>
            <div class="join-email-path__materials">
              <span>Attach</span>
              <p><em>CV</em><em>Transcripts</em></p>
            </div>
            <div class="join-email-path__subject">
              <span>Subject</span>
              <code>[Prospective MS Student] Semester 20XX</code>
            </div>
          </article>

          <article class="join-email-path">
            <h3>Undergraduate</h3>
            <div class="join-email-path__materials">
              <span>Attach</span>
              <p><em>CV</em><em>Transcripts</em></p>
            </div>
            <div class="join-email-path__subject">
              <span>Subject</span>
              <code>[Prospective Undergraduate Student] Semester 20XX</code>
            </div>
          </article>
        </div>

        <p class="join-email-guide__note">For example, if you are a prospective PhD student interested in joining Fall 2027, your e-mail subject would be <strong>[Prospective PhD Student] Fall 2027</strong>.</p>

        <p class="join-email-guide__note"><strong>Please note:</strong> Emailing does not replace the required Ph.D. or STRAND application. Because of the volume of inquiries, Prof. Santos may not be able to reply to every message; please do not send repeated reminders.</p>
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  </section>

  <section class="join-section join-expectations">
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      <div class="join-section__heading">
        <p class="join-kicker">03 // HOW WE WORK</p>
        <h2>A lab built on <span class="text-gold">trust</span>, <span class="text-gold">growth</span>, and <span class="text-gold">good communication</span>.</h2>
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          <article><h3>Hands-on advising</h3><p>Early in the Ph.D., expect close collaboration as you build research skills and confidence. With experience comes greater independence and ownership.</p></article>
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          <article><h3>Weekly momentum</h3><p>The group meets for weekly stand-ups to share progress, next steps, and blockers. Deeper conversations get the focused time they deserve.</p></article>
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          <article><h3>Room to do your best work</h3><p>You can expect candid, timely feedback; respect for your time; accessible communication; and committed support for your long-term goals.</p></article>
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      <div class="join-values">
        <h3>How we show up</h3>
        <div class="join-values__heading">
          
          <p>The habits and values that help our lab—and everyone in it—thrive.</p>
        </div>
        <div class="join-values__tags">
          <span>SELF-MOTIVATION</span><span>DISCIPLINE</span><span>INITIATIVE</span><span>COMMUNICATION</span><span>KINDNESS</span>
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  </section>

  <section class="join-cta">
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          <p class="join-kicker">04 // READY?</p>
          <h2>Bring your <span class="text-gold">questions</span>.<br>Bring your <span class="text-gold">ideas</span>.</h2>
          <p>Follow the path for your student type to take the right next step.</p>
          <a class="join-button join-button--primary" href="#opportunities">Choose your path <span aria-hidden="true">↑</span></a>
        </div>
        <figure class="join-cta__poster">
          <img src="{{ "/assets/img/we_can_do_it_with_text.png" | prepend: site.baseurl }}" alt="Prof. Joanna Santos in a We Can Do It-inspired illustration with the message Together, we can do it">
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