Post-Doctoral Researcher

PRIMARY PURPOSE/GENERAL DESCRIPTION:

Working with Professor Sarah Marzen, the Post-Doctoral Researcher will serve in an advanced professional research capacity to conduct original scholarly and scientific research relating to the engineering of hybrid adaptive networks. The Researcher will routinely need to apply advanced knowledge in physics, applied mathematics, biophysics, scientific computing, and related fields.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

This information is intended to be descriptive of the key responsibilities of the position. The incumbent will primarily be engaged in advanced intellectual and creative professional work requiring specialized academic training and the exercise of discretion and independent judgment. Additional duties may be assigned; any such additional duties will primarily be consistent with the professional nature of the position.

• Independently design and perform advanced analytical and computational research to benchmark, model, calibrate, and evaluate the performance of hybrid adaptive networks.
• Develop, test, and refine original theories, methodologies, neural network topologies, and engineered dynamics to improve the design and predictive performance of hybrid adaptive networks.
• Collaborate with internal and external research partners, including University of Maryland collaborators on a large MURI project, to formulate research objectives, analyze complex scientific issues, compare engineered and optimal neural network topologies, and develop new topologies for practical implementation.
• Provide research guidance and technical direction to undergraduate lab assistants, research staff, and other junior collaborators in connection with ongoing scientific projects.
• Prepare publication-quality manuscripts, research reports, presentations, and open-source computational tools that communicate original scientific findings for leading journals and professional audiences in biophysics, applied mathematics, and related disciplines.
• Actively support the College's Principles of Community and Institutional Values in the performance of professional responsibilities.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, ABILITIES:

Individuals must possess knowledge, skills and abilities to successfully perform the essential functions of the position, or be able to explain or demonstrate how the essential functions will be performed, with or without reasonable accommodation, using some other combination of skills and abilities.

• Ability to demonstrate excellent written and verbal communication skills, and meticulous attention to detail.
• Ability to interact with faculty, staff, and other members of a college community.
• Ability to process large amounts of information and manage multiple deadlines efficiently and accurately.
• Knowledge of Workday is a plus.
• Excellent computer skills, preferably with Microsoft Office (Excel and Word), LaTeX, and Python or some other scientific computing software.
• Excellent communication skills, including writing scientific papers and giving scientific presentations.
• Excellent analytic skills, including proficiency with several areas of mathematics such as dynamical systems and information theory.
• Independent judgment exercised to produce ready-to-go drafts of scientific papers and scientific presentations.
• Demonstrated ability to exercise discretion and independent judgment in conducting advanced scientific research and in preparing near-final scientific papers, technical analyses, and professional presentations.

QUALIFICATION STANDARDS:

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE:

Ph.D. in physics or a closely related scientific field is required. The position requires advanced knowledge in a field of science or learning customarily acquired through a prolonged course of specialized intellectual instruction. Demonstrated research experience in mathematical modeling, theoretical or computational science, neural networks, biophysics, applied mathematics, or related disciplines is strongly preferred.

LICENSES / CERTIFICATES:

None.

OTHER:

HOURS & CLASSIFICATION AND STATUS:

This is a temporary status, full-time, benefits eligible, exempt position.

The position is expected to fulfill the responsibilities of a full-time professional appointment. Work hours may vary as necessary to meet research, project, publication, collaboration, and departmental needs, but generally, regular work hours for this position are Monday-Friday 8:00 am-5:00 pm.

This assignment is expected to end on or before September 11, 2029, and is contingent upon availability of grant funding.

Salary rate: $70,304.00 annualized for illustration purposes only. The salary rate of the finalist(s) selected for this role will be set based on a variety of factors, including but not limited to, internal equity, experience, education, specialty, and training.

Applicants must be authorized to work for any employer in the US. We are unable to sponsor employment visas at this time.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY:

May provide project-based oversight, mentoring, or direction to a post-baccalaureate research assistant, undergraduate lab assistants, research staff, or similar junior personnel in connection with scientific work.

Work Environment

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of the job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The noise level in the work environment is quiet to moderate.

Physical and Mental Requirements

Ability to maintain good concentration level while dealing with interruptions; attention to details with emphasis on accuracy; capable of giving, receiving, and analyzing information, formulating work plans, and articulating goals and action plans.

Sitting in a normal seated position for extended periods of time. Standing for extended periods of time. Reaching and extending hand(s) or arm(s) in any direction. Finger dexterity required to manipulate objects with fingers rather than the whole hand(s), or arm(s), for example, using a keyboard. Communication skills using the spoken word. Ability to see within normal parameters. Ability to hear within normal parameters. Ability to bend and stoop, for example, to file. Ability to move about. Ability to lift and carry short distances up to 20 lbs., for example to lift or move office supplies, files, books and packages.

At-Will Employment

Regular employment at the College is for no specified period of time; conditions and status of employment (hours, pay, title, duties, etc.) are subject to change at any time. Scripps College is an At-Will employer. Employees, and likewise the College, are free to end the employment relationship at any time, for any reason, with or without notice or cause, unless otherwise prohibited by law.