Postdoctoral Associate

The College of Design, Construction, and Planning (DCP) at the University of Florida (UFL) is hiring two postdoctoral research associates who can contribute to cutting-edge, multidisciplinary research and education on AI-Enabled Smart Cities within DCP and UF.

The University of Florida (UF) is ranked #6 among the nation’s public universities according to the U.S. News & World Report Best Colleges 2024 list. Many opportunities exist at the University for cross-disciplinary appointments and collaboration, such as the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, the College of the Arts including the Digital Worlds Institute, and UF’s HiPerGator supercomputer. Our position as a major land-grant research university in the Association of American Universities (AAU) creates opportunities to develop a national and international reputation for research on issues that showcase Florida and the Southeastern United States as a living laboratory, and to shape the next generation of planning, design, and construction professionals. 

The College of Design, Construction and Planning (DCP) is one of the few colleges in the nation that houses design, construction and planning under one college. It offers degree programs in Architecture, Construction Management, Interior Design, Landscape Architecture, Urban and Regional Planning, Historic Preservation, and Sustainability and the Built Environment. The College has one research institutes and twelve research centers, which jointly contribute to a dynamic, collaborative, and productive research setting. DCP has embraced the University’s initiative to transform research and curriculum in artificial intelligence (AI), evidenced by this new AI-Enabled Smart Cities initiative.

We are looking for two Postdoctoral Research Associates. Below are the key responsibilities for the two positions (A and B).

Postdoctoral Researcher Associate A will advance research in Smart Cities as a system of systems, such as transportation, infrastructure, buildings, and open and public spaces. The Postdoc will also manage the DCP Industry/Professional Innovation Summit and International Conference on AI-Enabled Smart Cities.

Postdoctoral Research Associate B will advance research in AI-enabled planning and design that aim to streamline and revolutionize the multi-step processes from planning and design to construction of Smart Cities. The Postdoc will facilitate the development of academic programs on AI-Enabled Smart Cities.

Knowledge and Skills:  

Postdoctoral Research Associate A should demonstrate knowledge in 1) IoT systems, sensors, and technologies used in smart city implementations and 2) applying machine learning, AI techniques to urban systems.

The candidate should demonstrate experience in organizing academic conferences, symposiums, or workshops, including planning, logistics, and managing stakeholder communication.

Required skills for this position include: 1) experience with Building Information Model (BIM) tools, urban simulation tools or digital twin platforms, and/or big data platforms and 2) proficiency in programming languages commonly used in AI and data analysis;

Postdoctoral Research Associate B should demonstrate knowledge in 1) AI fundamentals, including but not limited to machine learning, deep learning, graphic neural networks, and generative adversarial networks; 2) domain knowledge of urban planning, architectural design, or sustainability and resilience.

The candidate must also show the ability to 1) design and develop new academic programs or curricula related to AI, smart cities, or urban planning, and 2) collaborate with faculty, industry partners, and administration in designing interdisciplinary programs.

$58,656 per annum

PhD in urban and regional planning, construction management, civil engineering, data science, architectural engineering, or related fields.

Skills: Proficiency in Python, R, or other programming languages commonly used in AI and data analysis; familiarity with GIS platforms (e.g., ArcGIS, QGIS) and spatial data processing tools.

Experience: A strong track record of peer-reviewed publications in relevant fields. Excellent written and verbal communication skills for publishing, presenting, and interdisciplinary collaboration. Grant writing experience is an advantage.

Other qualifications:

1. Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to work independently and collaboratively in an interdisciplinary team.
2. Strong problem-solving and critical-thinking skills.
3. Project management experience, especially in research projects involving multiple stakeholders.
4. Exceptional writing and editing skills, with a strong command of grammar and style.

Interested applicants should apply online. A cover letter; CV; brief summary of research accomplishments, funding and current research; and a list of three references are required. References will not be contacted without the applicant’s permission.

The University of Florida is an equal 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.

A final candidate will be required to provide official transcripts of their terminal degree 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/.

Application must be submitted by 11:55 p.m. (ET) of the posting end date. Please address any questions to Dr. Ivy Hu ( hul@ufl.edu ) or Dr. Ravi Srinivasan ( sravi@ufl.edu ).