Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering
Postdoctoral Associate Position in Data-Driven Optimization

The Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering at the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities invites applications to fill one postdoctoral associate position, under the supervision of
Professor Archis Ghate. The appointment will begin as soon as possible in calendar year 2025 but no later than Fall 2025. The initial appointment will be for one year with the possibility of extension to another year based on mutual consent, but depending on availability of funds and an annual performance review.

The postdoctoral associate will conduct research in the broad area of data-driven optimization, with particular emphasis on Markov Decision Processes (MDPs) and Partially Observable Markov Decision Processes (POMDPs). The postdoctoral associate will study sequential decision models in contexts such as robust, distributionally robust, and percentile optimization. Some of the work may belong to the areas of model-based or model-free Reinforcement Learning.

Duties may include:
50% - Developing models and algorithms; carrying out theoretical analyses; writing computer code and conducting computational experiments;
20% - Collecting data, generating simulated data, analyzing data, and cleaning/managing data;
20% - Drafting manuscripts for submission to journals and conferences; giving research presentations at conferences; and
10% - Collaborating on proposals for submission to funding agencies; engaging with partners, collaborators, students, and faculty from within and outside the University of Minnesota.

Opportunities for teaching may also emerge, depending on the availability of funds and other departmental considerations.

Required Qualifications
Prior to the start date, applicants must have earned a Ph.D. in Engineering, Operations Research, Operations Management, Mathematics, Statistics, Computer Science, Economics, or a related discipline. Applicants should have the potential to conduct research that can be published in top-tier journals and conferences.
Applicants should have a demonstrated interest and expertise in mathematical models, theory, and algorithms for data-driven optimization problems.
Expertise in programming languages such as Python and/or R and relevant software packages therein is a must.

Preferred Qualifications
Familiarity with machine learning, artificial intelligence, and data analytics methods is a plus.
Interest in applications such as healthcare and medical decision making, transportation and logistics, supply chains and service operations, or energy systems and the environment would be desirable.

About University of Minnesota Twin Cities

The University of Minnesota, founded in the belief that all people are enriched by understanding, is dedicated to the advancement of learning and the search for truth; to the sharing of this knowledge through education for a diverse community; and to the application of this knowledge to benefit the people of the state, the nation, and the world.

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