Description

NYU’s Center for Data Science (CDS) seeks a full-time Postdoctoral Associate position in solar physics as part of the new initiative, Polymathic AI, Building Foundation Models for Science.  Recent advances in machine learning, including Large Language Models and diffusion-based generative models have driven significant advances in Artificial Intelligence. CDS seeks to leverage these ideas to develop the next generation of AI-powered scientific analysis tools, seeking more powerful and more interpretable models with broad applications to many scientific disciplines. The Polymathic AI team includes researchers from multiple scientific disciplines ranging from machine learning to astrophysics, solar physics, biology, neuroscience, and fluid dynamics. 

The selected candidate will work closely with a group of computer scientists, domain scientists,  and AI experts in developing software and leveraging large AI models to solve pressing scientific challenges in the field of solar physics. The group has computational capabilities that allow the training of large AI models. We offer an exciting multidisciplinary context for researching AI and its applications.

The Postdoctoral Associate will report to the PI of Polymathic AI and is a full-time fixed-term position with a duration of one year with possibilities of renewal. This position is based on site at NYU in New York City. 

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS/RESPONSIBILITIES 

• Develop and train AI models for pressing science questions regarding solar physics
• Develop and apply new methodologies relevant to the initiative, which includes but not limited to large language (and data) model, interpretability, scientific inference in ML, transfer learning.
• Curate large datasets pertinent to the initiative
• Develop, implement, maintain, and support software relevant to the initiative.
• Engage in foundation models for science researchCollaborate with other Research Scientists, Software Engineers, Flatiron Research Fellows, Research Analysts. 

• Help build, improve, and support high-quality, open-source software libraries relating to efforts within the group

• Perform other duties or tasks as required by the initiative

In compliance with NYC’s Pay Transparency Act, the annual base salary range for this position is $75,000-$95,000.

Qualifications

Education 

• Ph.D. in Solar Physics, Astrophysics, Physics, machine learning, computer science, engineering or related technical discipline.

Experience 

• Research experience in solar physics data analysis. 

• Expertise in developing and training AI models.  

• Expertise in solar physics

• Experience in solving scientific problems

• Proficiency in Python and either PyTorch, JAX, or Tensorflow

• Experience with HPC, GPU, or code profiling/optimization is a plus

Related Skills and Other Requirements 

• Ability to collaborate on multidisciplinary research in a collegial environment

• Ability to lead, develop and contribute to software projects 

• Effective communication, documentation, and user-support skills

• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively 

• Technical and scientific curiosity 

• Professional communication skills 

Application Instructions

Required Application Materials

• CV including publication list and/or software repositories

• Please include 3 names of references, and the references will be contacted only if the candidate passes the initial round of screening. 

Deadline: Applications will be reviewed as they are received until Feb 15, 2025. Earlier applications are strongly encouraged.

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