Career Center

DIMACS, the Center for Discrete Mathematics and Theoretical Computer Science, invites applications for postdoctoral positions associated with the Center.

DIMACS solicits applications for three positions:

a) DIMACS – Institute for Advanced Study (IAS) Postdoc.

This is a two-year postdoctoral associateship with the first year (2023-2024) spent at DIMACS, and the second year (2024-2025) spent at IAS in Princeton, New Jersey. There is a requirement to teach one course during the first year. Applicants should be recent PhD graduates with interest in theoretical computer science and/or discrete mathematics. Research areas include but are not limited to: computational complexity, algorithms, optimization, cryptography, combinatorics, graph theory, and discrete probability. For this position, candidates must apply to both DIMACS and IAS.

b) Simons Postdoctoral Leader at DIMACS.

This is a one-year position as part of the Simons Postdoctoral Leadership Initiative at DIMACS. Eligible candidates should conduct research in theoretical computer science (TCS), the foundations of data science (DS), or the foundations of artificial intelligence (AI). The postdoc will be based at Rutgers University, mentored by an Initiative faculty member, and able to participate in the breadth of activities at DIMACS, while working on a research program of his or her own design. The Initiative faculty, Eric Allender, Jie Gao, David Pennock, Tim Roughgarden, and Matt Weinberg, will oversee the selection process, mentor Initiative postdocs, and help formulate plans for visits and events. The postdoc will have unique opportunities, including (1) access to funds and Center resources for designing activities to complement their research, (2) the opportunity to visit one of four domestic and four international partners, and (3) a voice in planning hot-topics workshops. Applicants should be recent PhD graduates in computer science, economics, information science, operations research, or a related field, preferably with a focus in TCS or AI.

c) Postdoc on Algorithm Design and Machine Learning

This is a one-year postdoc position funded by an NSF project led by Prof. Jie Gao at Computer Science department. The candidate is expected to conduct research in the general direction of algorithm design for data science and machine learning applications. Examples include novel efficient lightweight algorithms for large-scale learning of health related data. Candidates are encouraged to explicitly mention his/her interest in this position in the cover letter.

Positions provide salary, health benefits, and an allowance for domestic travel. Applicants should provide a cover letter with which postdoctoral position(s) they are applying for, curriculum vitae, a research statement highlighting their current, past and planned future research, a teaching statement if applying for the DIMACS-IAS position or intending to teach, and the names/e-mail addresses of three references.

DIMACS fosters research and education programs on topics that lie at the interface of discrete mathematics and theoretical computer science and their wide-ranging applications. It was founded as an NSF Science and Technology Center in 1989. DIMACS's partners include Rutgers University, AT&T Labs – Research, Columbia University, Georgia Tech, IBM Research, Microsoft Research, NEC Laboratories America, New Jersey Institute of Technology, Nokia Bell Labs, Perspecta Labs, Princeton University, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, and Stevens Institute of Technology.

Research and education areas at DIMACS include algorithms, combinatorics, complexity, privacy and security, discrete and computational geometry, optimization, graph theory, data science, artificial intelligence, and machine learning, with applications in sustainability, epidemiology, genetics, networks, transportation, security, and economics. Many DIMACS activities relate to specific topics of current interest represented by the DIMACS Special Focus programs. Postdoctoral Associates at DIMACS are encouraged to collaborate with DIMACS members and visitors and to participate in all of the research and educational activities of DIMACS.

We are strongly committed to increasing the diversity of our Center. We believe that research and society benefit from a diverse workplace and strongly encourage applications from women, minorities, individuals with disabilities, veterans, and students with non-traditional backgrounds.

Applications are due December 1, 2022, for full consideration.

DIMACS postdoctoral positions are usually awarded to people who have completed a PhD in Mathematics, Computer Science, Statistics, Operations Research or a related field within the last three years.