Post-Doctoral Associate

The New York University Urban Observatory at the Center for Urban Science and Progress (CUSP-UO) is accepting applications for a 1-year post-doctoral position to start between January 1, 2018 and March 1, 2018 in Downtown Brooklyn, New York City. The CUSP-UO combines remote imaging of urban scenes with astronomical techniques (broadband photometry, high-speed photometry, spectroscopy, etc.) to study the functioning of complex urban systems including energy consumption, grid dynamics, air quality, and circadian rhythms.

The Urban Observatory (UO) at CUSP is a unique facility focused on the large-scale observation and study of cities. UO data is obtained using a variety of instruments from observation sites and distributed networks of sensors and correlated with NYC specific data, including administrative records, population/demographics, weather etc. The methodologies, instrumentation, and data science capabilities at the CUSP UO will underpin novel, high-impact science and applications to enhance public health and well-being, city operations, and sustainable/smart urban design. The successful candidate will focus on the characterization of energy consumption patterns and electrical grid health from persistent imaging and spectroscopy of the NYC lightscape. The position responsibilities involve creating pipelines for data collection and management, extraction of time series from image date, and time series analysis through ML technique and in conjunction with correlated datasets.

Position Qualifications

Candidates with a doctoral degree, or that will earn a doctoral degree before the end of 2017, in Astronomy, Physics, Computer Science, or other relevant disciplines will be considered, provided their research track record is in the broad areas of: image analysis, time-series analysis, machine learning, sensor networks, related fields. Relevant experience also includes systems and network architecture, big data management, or modeling and simulation.

Applicants should have a strong background in image analysis, time series analysis, and machine learning, with a preference for large imaging data sets, and should be highly proficient in the development of data analysis software in Python (experience coding in C++ is a plus as is previous experience with deep learning). This position is ideally suited for an astronomer looking to apply their skill sets to a new domain and can also facilitate a softer landing from academic astronomy to other fields, but candidates from all relevant fields will be considered.

Examples of previous CUSP-UO work can be found below.

• http://www.sciencedirect.com/…/article/pii/S0306437915001167
• http://www.mdpi.com/1424-8220/16/12/2047/htm
• http://dl.acm.org/citation.cfm?id=2993570

The position will remain open until filled, though applications received before November 15 will be given priority.

Interested applicants should email a cover letter, curriculum vitae and name and contact information for at least three references in PDF format to [email protected] with listing the job title in the subject line.

EEO/AA Policy

New York University’s Center for Urban Science and Progress (CUSP) is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer, committed to building a culturally diverse educational environment. In keeping with this commitment, CUSP strongly encourages applications from women, people with disabilities and members of minority groups. Individuals with disabilities seeking accommodations in the application process should contact the Office of Equal Opportunity, at [email protected].