Postdoctoral Associate - Advanced Sensemaking

About the role

Rice University's Baker Institute is seeking a Postdoctoral Scholar in Advanced Sensemaking as part of the Center for Advanced Space Sensing Technologies (CASST).

Responsibilities

• Lead the development of artificial intelligence and machine learning (AI/ML) models, datasets, compute workflows, and visualization tools to analyze quantum sensing and hyperspectral imaging data.
• Work in close collaboration with CASST faculty from the Rice Space Institute, Weiss School of Natural Sciences, and the George R. Brown School of Engineering, as well as external partners.
• Contribute to technical reporting, program documentation, and research presentations.
• Support the mentoring and training of junior research team members, including graduate and undergraduate students.

Requirements

• Ph.D. or other doctoral degree in computer science, computational physics, electrical engineering, or related fields.
• Research interest and experience in one or more of the following areas is desirable: Reinforcement learning or adaptive decision systems; Computer vision, remote sensing, or geospatial analytics; GPU or high-performance computing workflows; Deployment of AI systems in resource-constrained environments; and Hyperspectral imaging and quantum sensing.
• Previous experience collaborating with engineering or operational research teams.
• Demonstrated ability to write, publish, and communicate research, including proposal development and presentations at professional conferences.

Qualifications

• Strong analytical, planning, and organizational abilities.
• Ability to work independently with changing levels of oversight.
• Ability to establish and maintain rapport with faculty and staff in an academic and professional setting.
• Ability to work collaboratively with an existing team, managing multiple deadlines, and responding to a high volume of requests, including from CASST faculty and U.S. Space Force technical liaisons.

Skills

• Strong analytical, planning, and organizational abilities.
• Ability to work independently with changing levels of oversight.
• Ability to establish and maintain rapport with faculty and staff in an academic and professional setting.
• Ability to work collaboratively with an existing team, managing multiple deadlines, and responding to a high volume of requests, including from CASST faculty and U.S. Space Force technical liaisons.

Benefits

Rice University HR | Benefits: Rice University HR | Benefits

Pay

This position is not eligible for visa sponsorship, candidates must possess work authorization that will not expire or need renewal in the future.

Schedule

Appointments will be for an initial 3-year appointment structured as a 1-year appointment, followed by two additional 1-year appointments commensurate with adequate performance and programmatic needs.