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Cornell University

Cornell University AI for Science Institute

Computer Science Postdoc Opening (2023)

CUAISci is seeking applications for one or two postdocs in computer science. The postdocs will focus on AI for science and will engage in research, mentoring, teaching activities, and scientific coordination of postdoc research projects, to support the Eric and Wendy Schmidt AI in Science Postdoctoral Fellowship program, a program of Schmidt Futures. The postdocs will be mentored by Professor Carla Gomes.

This is the same opportunity as the Cornell postdoc job listing and the post on Prof. Gomes’ website.

Program Description

Cornell University hosts the Eric and Wendy Schmidt AI in Science Postdoctoral Fellowship, a program of Schmidt Futures. This program supports collaborative research projects using AI to accelerate scientific discovery. Postdocs will engage in a variety of research, training, and learning opportunities to advance broad and deep adoption of AI tools across multiple scientific domains. Postdocs will become part of a global network of AI-trained researchers and be at the forefront of AI-led scientific innovation. The Cornell program will span 6 years, with the first cohort of ten postdocs in different scientific domains for the 2022–2023 academic year already selected. Cornell will then host 20 postdocs a year, for the next five years.

Research Themes

The initial research themes identified for the fellowship program at CUAISci include, but are not limited to, the following:

AI for Materials Discovery

New materials have the potential to spark innovation and transform engineering progress. AI has the ability to accelerate materials discovery through AI-guided robotic scientific experimentation, interpretation of highly complex experimental data, and molecular design and synthesis, among others.

AI for Physics

AI has the ability to lead the big data revolution in areas such as quantum matter and astronomy, leading to potential increases in data resolution and a better understanding of such complex data.

AI for the Biological Sciences

The biological sciences provide a wealth of opportunities for transdisciplinary AI research. Such areas ripe for investigation include disentangling complex genomic data sets, diagnosing human disease, predicting pest outbreaks, deep brain imaging, and multi-scale production modeling.

AI for the Sustainability Sciences

AI provides new data analysis and interpretation techniques to help us protect our planet and increase the efficiency of resource use. Applications include but are not limited to, designing biodiversity responses to climate change, optimizing clean energy projects, and modeling ecosystem services.

Requirements and Qualifications

  • Applicants must hold a PhD in computer science, with a focus in AI, prior to their start date.
  • The focus of the postdocs will be AI for Science.
  • Interested candidates must exhibit excellence in computer science and AI.
  • Preference will be given to candidates who have experience in AI knowledge representation and reasoning, machine learning, and integration of AI reasoning, search, optimization, and machine learning approaches.

Support and Benefits

The selected postdocs will be appointed as an endowed employee in the Cornell Ann S. Bowers College of Computing and Information Science. Starting salary is dependent on the qualifications and experience of the postdocs.

Application and Selection Process Overview

  • Applications will be reviewed as they are submitted.
  • Criteria: Applications will be evaluated on (i) intellectual merit and scientific excellence, (ii) AI for science potential, (iii) cross disciplinary connections, (iv) broader societal impact, and (v) diversity, equity, and inclusion experiences and vision.
  • Interviews: A subset of applicants will be chosen for an interview. Interviews will take place via zoom.
  • Selection: We are looking to fill in this position right away.

Application Materials

  • Please submit applications to Laura Schad, copying Prof. Carla Gomes, by email.
  • The subject line should be CS-AISCI-Postdoc.
  • Applications should be submitted as a single pdf named as ApplicantLastName_ApplicantFirstName-computer-science.pdf.
  • Applications should contain the following:
    • Applicant’s CV
    • Applicant’s transcript showing proof of PhD; or intended completion date, which must be confirmed in a separately submitted letter from the current PhD advisor (can be in a reference letter)
    • Names of two references, who will submit reference letters separately
  • The references and (if applicable) current PhD advisor must also provide their letters directly to Laura Schad, copying Prof. Carla Gomes, before the application will be considered complete. These are submitted separately to maintain confidentiality.