ASSISTANT/ASSOCIATE RESEARCH SCIENTIST

Classification Title:

AST/ASO RES SCTST

Job Description:

The Herbert Wertheim College of Engineering at the University of Florida invites applications for a twelve-month, time-limited, full-time non-tenure-track faculty position at the rank of Assistant or Associate Research Scientist in the Engineering School of Sustainable Infrastructure and Environment. This position is housed within the Center for Coastal Solutions.

The role of a successful candidate for this Research Scientist position is to advise and assist the Director and Associate Directors of the Center for Coastal Solutions in planning, directing, and reporting activities related to the Artificial Intelligence (AI) and data analytics components of the Center’s research and technology development program. The successful candidate will conduct cutting-edge research focused on developing algorithms and AI approaches to identify drivers of coastal water quality hazard formation and behavior, to track and forecast hazards, and to visualize water and environmental changes in ways that are understandable and informative to scientific and non-scientific audiences. The position requires creativity in solving big data analytics challenges; deep knowledge of hardware and software technologies relevant for high-performance algorithm development and implementation; proficiency in working with diverse data types and with diverse analytical approaches; and competency in collaborating with large, multi-disciplinary teams. The position particularly requires the candidate to develop and maintain effective collaborations with private industry, government, NGO, and other academic organizations that lead to the acceleration of technological innovation to deliver solutions to coastal water and environmental sustainability challenges.

The Research Scientist will facilitate communication between UF-CCS faculty, students, staff and partners related to AI technology exchange, proposal development, and resource sharing. Candidates are sought who have particular expertise in multi-modal, multi-scale remote sensing, AI and data visualization systems, particularly for the purpose of quantifying changes in water quality, or other applications key to identify drivers and solutions to water quality and other coastal hazards. This position will also work with the Director and Associate Directors of the CCS to identify and pursue a range of federal, state, local and philanthropic funding opportunities, and to prepare materials required for successful applications for such opportunities. This position will also help design and lead workshops, summits, other in-person or remote activities and data visualization products to increase the value of partner engagement in the CCS and promote CCS initiatives, technologies, training programs and other activities to broader research and education communities.

Applicants with a PhD in Computer Science, Coastal, Environmental, Agricultural, or Biological Engineering, or related field are encouraged to apply. Relevant industry experience of 5+ years and prior experience facilitating research and communication between academic and non-academic partners along with knowledge of management principles and practices, coastal hazards, policy and federal, state, and local regulations and grant programs is desired, but not required.

The preferred candidate will have skills in effective writing, especially syntax, grammar and style and graphic development. Applicant should possess the ability to organize administrative tasks and identify work priorities; work independently; present research to non-scientific audiences; organize and evaluate information for administrative purposes; prepare evaluative and comparative reports, and communicate effectively with UF staff, faculty, and students, as well as partners. The proportion of research versus development responsibilities in this role will be tailored to the successful applicant’s goals and strengths. This position provides the successful candidate an opportunity to contribute to, and take leadership in, leading-edge research projects in an academic setting.

The University of Florida Center for Coastal Solutions seeks to leverage innovative technologies, applied Artificial Intelligence, workforce training programs, and multi-sector collaboration to enable local communities, the state, and the nation to better track, forecast, mitigate, and prevent coastal hazards, improving the quality of life and economic health of coastal residents (see more at: http://ccs.eng.ufl.edu). In pursuit of this mission, the CCS, established in October 2020 and led by faculty in the HWCOE, is integrating expertise, resources, and workforce training capabilities drawn from across the University of Florida, ranging from the Warrington School of Business to Levin College of Law, College of Design, Construction and Planning, UF|IFAS, and the College of Medicine. The Center is applying an open-source model to developing solutions to the most pressing environmental, economic, and public health hazards facing coastal communities, forming extensive and rich partnerships with the public and private sector to drive innovation.

The University of Florida is the flagship campus of the State of Florida university system and is ranked as the #5 best public US university according to US News and World Report. UF recently announced a $70 million artificial intelligence partnership with NVIDIA to create an AI-centric data center that houses the world's fastest AI supercomputer in higher education. For more information about the college, please visit http://eng.ufl.edu .

Expected Salary:

Salary to commensurate with education and experience

Minimum Requirements:

PhD in Computer Science, Coastal, Environmental, Agricultural, or Biological Engineering, or related field.

Preferred Qualifications:

Relevant industry experience of 5+ years and prior experience facilitating research and communication between academic and non-academic partners along with knowledge of management principles and practices, coastal hazards, policy and federal, state, and local regulations and grant programs is desired, but not required.

Special Instructions to Applicants:

The search committee will begin reviewing applications immediately with the first full committee screening occurring on January 28, 2022. You must apply by submitting an application through Careers at UF via https://explore.jobs.ufl.edu/en-us/listing/ (Job 520007 ). The application consists of attached PDF files of the following required documents: 1. Cover letter (summary, introduction related to hiring emphasis areas and a diversity statement including experience in working with diverse and underrepresented groups in engineering ) 2. Curriculum vitae 3. Names, addresses, phone numbers, and email addresses of three references. Supplemental material should be uploaded as one PDF to the “other documents” selection in the application. For additional questions, contact Dr. Christine Angelini at christine.angelini@essie.ufl.edu .

Final candidate will be required to provide official transcript to the hiring department upon hire. A transcript will not be considered “official” if a designation of “Issued to Student” is visible. Degrees earned from an education institution outside of the United States are required to be evaluated by a professional credentialing service provider approved by National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES), which can be found at http://www.naces.org/ .

The University of Florida is an equal opportunity institution dedicated to building a broadly diverse and inclusive faculty and staff.

The University of Florida is An Equal Employment Opportunity Institution. If an accommodation due to a disability is needed to apply for this position, please call 352/392-2477 or the Florida Relay System at 800/955-8771 (TDD). Hiring is contingent upon eligibility to work in the US. Searches are conducted in accordance with Florida's Sunshine Law.

Applications must be submitted by 11:55 p.m. of the posting end date.

Health Assessment Required: No