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Postdoctoral Scholar - Developing Applied Augmented Reality

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Position description

The Institute for Neural Computation (INC), the Arthur C. Clarke Center for Human Imagination, and the California Institute for Telecommunications and Information Technology at the University of California, San Diego, in support of the campus, multidisciplinary Organized Research Units (ORUs) is conducting an open search for Postdoctoral Scholar.

This postdoctoral position is a unique opportunity at the intersection of Augmented Reality (AR), visual interface and programming language design, distributed computing, and collaborative work. The postdoc will split time (50/50) between two projects described below. An ideal candidate will have strong interest in immersive visualization, AI/ML, virtualization and container orchestration, and significant previous experience with AR/game development.

The first project is an NSF-funded Cyberlearning project, where the postdoc will take a lead role in developing a human-centered coding platform in augmented reality (AR) under supervision of project PIs. This Embodied Coding Environment (an Augmented Reality IDE), will be a merged digital/physical workspace where spatial representations of code, interactive outputs, and user editing activities are simultaneously located. This task entails implementation of the Embodied Coding Environment in Unity or Unreal (to deploy to Microsoft Hololens2), as well as implementation of a Spatial Programming Language building on visual programming languages such as Scratch, Blockly, and Max MSP. PIs/postdoc mentors for this project are based in the Institute for Neural Computing (Dr. Ying Wu), and Arthur C. Clarke Center for Human Imagination (Dr. Robert Twomey).

The second project, Nautilus (AR-NOC/PRP/TNRP/CHASE-CI), supervised by Dr. Tom DeFanti (Qualcomm Institute/CalIT2), explores the development of a Cyberinfrastructure Operations Center for the Nautilus distributed hyper-cluster. In this role the postdoc will learn Kubernetes/K3s, develop AI/ML solutions to existing network monitoring and measurement capabilities, thereby exploring a novel AR application.

The University of California employs about 5,963 postdoctoral scholars (approx. 1,200 at UCSD) who contribute to the academic community by enhancing the research and education programs of the university. The postdoctoral experience emphasizes scholarship and continued research training. UC's postdoctoral scholars bring expertise and creativity that enrich the research environment for all members of the UC community, including graduate and undergraduate students. Appointment durations vary depending on the length of the research project and availability of funding. Total duration of an individual’s postdoctoral service may not exceed five years, including postdoctoral service at other institutions. The International Union, United Automobile, Aerospace and Agricultural Implement Workers of America (UAW) is the exclusive representative of the postdoctoral scholars.

This position is supported with funding through various NSF grants. Postdoc term is one year.

Required Qualification: Doctorate degree or its equivalent in Computer Science, HCI, or related fields. Appointment is dependent on academic experience, scholarly achievements, skills and knowledge and needs of the ORU. Strong interest in immersive visualization, computer graphics, programming language design, visual programming methodologies and cyberinfrastructure measurement and monitoring. AI/ML talent, and Willingness to learn Kubernetes/K3s.

Preferred Qualification: Postdoctoral or equivalent experience, and commitment to mentoring and research training service to build equitable and diverse scholarly environment. Candidates must be able to work remotely. Hololens/Hololens 2 development, ARCore, ARKit, Unity development, Unreal engine development, Docker and other virtualization technologies.

Review of applications will commence on November 1, 2020 and will be ongoing. Salary is commensurate with qualifications and based on published University of California pay scales. Applications (CV, Research Statement, Cover letter, and references, at minimum) must be submitted to the UCSD on-line application collection system, AP-On-Line Recruit, at: https://apol-recruit.ucsd.edu/JPF02568
The Office of Research Affairs and INC at UC San Diego is committed to academic excellence and diversity within the academic, staff, and student body. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran.

Application Requirements

Document requirements
  • Curriculum Vitae - Your most recently updated C.V.

  • Cover Letter

  • Statement of Research

  • Statement of Contributions to Diversity - Applicants should summarize their past or potential contributions to diversity. See our Faculty Equity site for more information.

  • Statement of Teaching (Optional)

  • Misc / Additional (Optional)

Reference requirements
  • 3 required (contact information only)

Job location

La Jolla, CA