Position Summary

Professors Appelo, Christlieb, Cheng, Lei, O'Shea and Verboncoeur from the Department of Computational Mathematics, Science and Engineering (CMSE), invite applications from outstanding candidates for up to 6 fixed term research associate (Postdoctoral Researchers) positions in the broad areas of Computational Modeling and Data Science. These positions are part of a cluster hire related to 3 grant-funded projects centered around the general theme of multi-scale modeling of non-equilibrium transport.  One focus of these projects is the development of advanced scalable algorithms for modern hardware, involving both fluid and particle descriptions of plasmas, and leveraging advanced middleware programming paradigms such as Kokkos. Here the team seeks to develop high order structure-preserving scalable algorithms. A second focus of these projects centers on multi-scale modeling and blended computing, where advanced provably structure-preserving machine learning algorithms are hybridized with traditional algorithms to create new classes of scale-bridging algorithms. Aspects of this work involve developing new classes of structure-preserving machine learning methods as well as new classes of solvers capable of stably simulating multiscale problems using these blended algorithms. The third focus of these projects is the development of novel adaptive structure-preserving low rank and/or sparse grid algorithms for modeling of non-linear transport. Here, key advances will involve implicit formulations, the development of foundations of domain decomposition and the ability to address systems with complex geometry. These projects have a synergistic interplay with the overall goal of taming the curse of dimensionality in classes of problems whose efficient solution will permit the unlocking and understanding of key physical mechanisms in clean energy, space weather modeling, and the merger of neutron stars, to name but a few.

Members of this team have collaborated and co-mentored post docs and students for more than 10 years. The team has a strong track recorded in mentoring, having collectively mentored over 25 postdocs with the majority of these postdocs taking strong positions in academia afterward. Professional development opportunities as part of these positions include teaching, research, student mentoring, and grant writing, all with the goal to prepare postdoctoral scholars for the next stage in their career. Annual salary will be $65,000 per year with health care and other benefits. The team is part of large community of computational and data-driven scholars at MSU. Many of the members of this community have their home in the Department of Computational Mathematics, Science and Engineering (CMSE).

CMSE focuses on the science of algorithm development for addressing problems in STEM disciplines, pushing the boundaries of knowledge through computing. CMSE has core strengths in the foundations of data science, foundations of scientific computing, inverse problems and imaging, fluids, plasmas and fields, structural biology and omics, and computational material science ().

Typically, a fixed term research associate position is for two years and depends on availability of funds. Renewal for the second year is based on a performance evaluation. A third year is possible, subject to funding and satisfactory performance evaluations.

Review of the applications will start on Jan. 4, 2023, and the search will continue until the positions are filled. Special research questions should be sent to the relevant faculty member the applicant hopes to work with.  

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origi