Postdoctoral Research: Applying AI in Environment and Sustainability

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How to Apply

Please include the materials listed below in a single pdf with your application: 

Detailed CV

Statement describing the candidate's qualifications and interest in the position. In particular the candidate's interest in applying their computational training and skills to problems and issues in the environment and sustainability domain (3 pages)

Brief statement describing interest in, experience with, and commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusiveness (one-half page)

Undergraduate and graduate transcripts

Names and contact information for three (3) references

Review of applications will begin immediately and will continue until the position is filled. Questions about the position can be addressed to Prof. Bill Currie ([email protected]). If you are having issues uploading your PDF, please contact Joshua Wright([email protected], SEAS HR Business Partner).

Summary

The School for Environment and Sustainability (SEAS) at the University of Michigan seeks applications for a postdoctoral position to apply artificial intelligence (AI) approaches to problems and issues in the domain of Environment and Sustainability. The candidate will be advised and mentored by Bill Currie, a Professor in SEAS. Currie uses computer modeling to understand the functioning of ecosystems & landscapes and the impacts of human activities on the environment.  He is an elected fellow of American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) for his work on modeling the biogeochemistry and ecology of forests, watersheds, and wetlands.  From a perspective of understanding human-environment systems, he collaborates with others across a range of fields from wildlife conservation to economics, civil engineering, and urban planning.  Currie also currently serves in administrative roles as Associate Dean for Research and Engagement in SEAS and Co-Director of the Schmidt AI in Science Postdoctoral Fellowship Program in MIDAS (Michigan Institute for Data Science). 

Research topics will be developed collaboratively between the candidate and Dr. Currie.  These could include grounding (strengthening the ability of AI systems to understand the concepts they reason and operate within the environmental domain), alignment (researching how well AI systems represent objective truths or societal expectations in the environmental domain), knowledge modeling, automated research workflows, or other topics. The candidate will have opportunities for significant training and skills development through MIDAS (Michigan Institute for Data Science) programs including boot camps and symposiums and will be expected to engage in these activities.  The candidate will be part of a vibrant postdoctoral community both in MIDAS and in SEAS, including the Institute for Global Change Biology, the Center for Sustainable Systems, the Sustainable Future Hub, and others.

This postdoctoral position will be initially hired for a 12-month period with the potential of renewal for an additional 12 months. Renewal will be based on demonstration of academic productivity and meeting other expectations of the position.  Compensation includes the standard benefits package for postdoctoral researchers at U-M. 

Mission Statement

The School for Environment and Sustainability (https://seas.umich.edu/ ) is a collaborative and interdisciplinary school. Our mission includes contributing to the protection of environmental resources and the achievement of a sustainable society. We accomplish this by generating and sharing knowledge, contributing to policy and engaging managers and stakeholders. The University of Michigan is a top-ranked public university with excellence in research and teaching.  Ann Arbor, home to the University of Michigan, is a town known for arts, culture, parks and restaurants. 

SEAS is committed to creating and maintaining an inclusive and equitable environment that respects diverse experiences, promotes generous listening and communications, and discourages and restoratively responds to acts of discrimination, harassment, or injustice. Our commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion is deeply rooted in our values for a sustainable and just society.

Why Work at Michigan?

In addition to a career filled with purpose and opportunity, The University of Michigan offers a competitive salary and comprehensive benefits package to help you stay well, protect yourself and your family and plan for a secure future. Benefits include:

• Generous time off
• Many choices of comprehensive health insurance
• Life insurance
• Long-term disability coverage
• Flexible spending accounts for healthcare and dependent care expenses

Required Qualifications*

• PhD in data science, statistics, computer science, AI or a related field.  
• Experience using computational data science or AI approaches.  This may include machine learning, artificial neural nets, knowledge modeling, Bayesian modeling, or other approaches.  
• Strong communication skills. 
• Ability to work both as part of a team and independently.  
• Experience in preparing research findings for conference presentations and refereed journal articles.  
• Experience leading the development of manuscripts publication and must show evidence of success in publishing refereed journal articles.  
• An interest in applying AI methods and approaches in the environment and sustainability domain.
  

Additional Information

Salary will be determined based on experience.

The candidate will be expected to be in-person on campus at least 50% of the time.  Remote and flexible work agreements may be made to support partial off-site work at a remote location.

U-M EEO/AA Statement

The University of Michigan is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer.