Postdoctoral Associate
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Job no: 533306
Work type: Research Faculty
Senior management: College of Science
Department: Mathematics
Location: Blacksburg, Virginia
Categories: Research / Scientific
Applications are invited for a Postdoctoral Associate position with the Department of Mathematics at Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA to begin after August 10, 2025. The normal term of appointment will be two years. The position is on an interdisciplinary team of mathematicians, psychologists, and engineers who are exploring the dynamics of stress contagion in human crowds. The postdoc will work with colleagues from Virginia Tech and other collaborating universities to run, analyze, and model human evacuation experiments. Data will include motion capture and psychophysiology data to explore stress contagion and collective motion, as well as survey data of emotional states and personality metrics. Modeling efforts will focus on agent-based approaches, which may include both simulation studies and data-driven modeling approaches to understand mechanisms that drive stress contagion. In addition to teaching two lower-division mathematics classes per year, the postdoc will also be responsible for writing academic publications, including grant reports and publications.
• PhD in Mathematics, Engineering, or a related field with a background in statistical and mathematical modeling. PhD must be awarded no more than four years prior to the effective date of appointment with a minimum of one year eligibility remaining.
• Experience with analysis of time series data.
• Solid background in coding.
• Ability to work effectively with a diverse team from multiple disciplines.
• Strong communication skills.
• Enthusiasm for leading experiments with human subjects.
• Research in mathematical applications to biological questions for multi-agent or many-body systems.
• Track record in publishing in high-impact peer-reviewed journals or conferences.
• Demonstrated ability or potential to lead graduate student research.
• Experience with Matlab, R, Python, C++, or Julia.
• Experience collecting data from human subjects.
Exempt: Not eligible for overtime
Commensurate with experience
For full consideration, submit a cover letter, a CV, a research statement, and a teaching statement as part of the online application no later than June 30, 2025. Additional information about position requirements and responsibilities can be found at http://www.hr.vt.edu or https://www.math.vt.edu. The faculty handbook (available at https://faculty.vt.edu/faculty-handbook.html) provides an overview of faculty appointments.
The successful candidate will be required to have a criminal conviction check.
Dedicated to its motto, Ut Prosim (That I May Serve), Virginia Tech pushes the boundaries of knowledge by taking a hands-on, transdisciplinary approach to preparing scholars to be leaders and problem-solvers. A comprehensive land-grant institution that enhances the quality of life in Virginia and throughout the world, Virginia Tech is an inclusive community dedicated to knowledge, discovery, and creativity. The university offers more than 280 majors to a diverse enrollment of more than 36,000 undergraduate, graduate, and professional students in eight undergraduate colleges, a school of medicine, a veterinary medicine college, Graduate School, and Honors College. The university has a significant presence across Virginia, including the Innovation Campus in Northern Virginia; the Health Sciences and Technology Campus in Roanoke; sites in Newport News and Richmond; and numerous Extension offices and research centers. A leading global research institution, Virginia Tech conducts more than $500 million in research annually.
Virginia Tech endorses and encourages participation in professional development opportunities and university shared governance. These valuable contributions to university shared governance provide important representation and perspective, along with opportunities for unique and impactful professional development.
Virginia Tech does not discriminate against employees, students, or applicants on the basis of age, color, disability, sex (including pregnancy), gender, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information, ethnicity or national origin, political affiliation, race, religion, sexual orientation, or military status, or otherwise discriminate against employees or applicants who inquire about, discuss, or disclose their compensation or the compensation of other employees or applicants, or on any other basis protected by law.
If you are an individual with a disability and desire an accommodation, please contact Sarah McDearis at sworl9@vt.edu during regular business hours at least 10 business days prior to the event.
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