Our lab's research focus is on bio-inspired and swarm robots, especially the combination of embodied intelligence (hardware design and physical experiments) and collective intelligence (self-organization and algorithmic design). We are currently moving into new areas, specifically the application of robotics to environment, social justice, and art. We also think about applications of collective intelligence principles to academic culture and reducing systemic injustice. As a lab, we are committed to having a creative, interdisciplinary, deliberately diverse, and social justice-minded collective culture. 

Two Things We Look For:

Research Match and Experience: Our lab is primarily interested in bio-inspired robots, robot swarms, and self-organization. Much of our focus is on novel hardware design, including the co-design of robot embodiment and algorithms, and some computer vision. Another focus is on applications to coral reef monitoring (with field deployments) and space structure monitoring (microgravity swarms). Note that we do not do machine learning or control theory, for that you should consider other labs. We are especially excited to have lab members with experience building things!. Make sure to highlight your robotics experiences and interests in your email and resume.

Social Justice Match and Experiences: Diversity, equity, and commitment to social justice are important components of the SSR lab culture. We are especially excited to have lab members who can "interrogate the status quo", and who challenge historical power inequity through their lived experiences and activism (e.g. NSBE, SHPE, SWE, engineers without borders, etc). Make sure to highlight your social justice activities in your email.

How to Apply: 

If you are interested in joining our group, you can send email to Prof. Nagpal ([email protected]). See below for what to include. 

For Princeton Undergraduates (MAE & COS): Our lab's research is best suited for junior/seniors who can work with us for multiple semesters, but we also take firstyear/sophomore MAE students. Nagpal also teaches a COSIW seminar on Robotics & Art each spring for COS juniors and seniors (next offered spring 2027). As part of our mission, we give priority to undergraduate students who have faced systemic barriers to opportunities and/or who work on social justice activism at Princeton. Feel free to email Prof. Nagpal and include some information, e.g. what type of experience you are looking for (e.g. junior IW, senior thesis, paid work, hardware vs software), your resume and a few technical classes you've taken, and definitely let us know about your social impact work and/or systemic challenges you've faced. If there is a research+mission match, I will get back to you within 5 days. Otherwise please consider the many other robotics labs. 

For PhD, apply directly to MAE or COS at Princeton (not ECE). You can also send me an email with your resume, research interests, and social justice work. I will read your email, but I only contact students after the application phase if there is a match. Sending repeated emails is highly discouraged.

For Postdoctoral applications, email me a short description of your interests and prior research experience, your social justice work, resume, and names of two references I can contact. If I have a position open and there is a good match I will contact you (sending repeated emails is highly discouraged). We are especially interested in postdocs with experience building robots, real-world deployments, and applications to environment and social good. For social justice and impact work, we expect more than public outreach or mentoring undergraduates. We are looking for both research excellence and commitment to societal change. Finally, if you are primarily interested in AI/ML or theory/controls, please consider other robotics labs at Princeton.