Postdoctoral Research Associate National Security Data and Policy Institute

The University of Virginia’s School of Data Science invites applications for a Postdoctoral Research Associate to join the newly established National Security Data and Policy Institute. This position offers a unique opportunity to contribute to high-impact, interdisciplinary research in generative AI systems.

The successful candidate will work closely with Dr. Peter Beling and Dr. Tyler Cody and will collaborate with faculty, research staff, and students. Depending on candidate interest, topics of study may include:

• Prompts as a data primitive and related methods
• Foundation model adoption and foundation model pipelines
• Resilience of AI systems
• Scaling and systems theoretic modeling of generative AI

We seek applicants who are eager to push the boundaries of data science, artificial intelligence, and network modeling to address real-world policy challenges through algorithm development and technical analysis.

Key Responsibilities

• Conduct original research in generative AI
• Train and supervise graduate and undergraduate student researchers
• Contribute to and co-author academic publications and conference presentations
• Develop and implement experiments on Large Language Models (LLMs)
• Present research findings at conferences and professional meetings
• Collaborate with leading researchers within and outside UVA

Qualifications

• U.S. citizenship required
• Ph.D. in Data Science, Statistics, Computer Science, Physics, Engineering, or a related field, earned
• within the past six years
• Experience with AI and machine learning
• Excellent written and spoken communication skills
• Demonstrated ability to produce high-quality, peer-reviewed research

Physical Demands

This is primarily a sedentary job involving extensive use of desktop computing. The job does occasionally require traveling some distance to attend meetings and programs.

Position Details

This position will remain open until filled. This is a full-time in-person position at the School of Data Science at the University of Virginia in Charlottesville, VA. The initial appointment is for one year; however, the appointment may be renewed for an additional year contingent upon funding and satisfactory performance.

This is an exempt level, benefited position.

Anticipated Salary: $68,000

Health and Other Benefits (visit Health and Other Benefits for additional information)

• UVA Health Plan: the choice between 3 different health plans
• Vision Coverage
• Dental Plan
• Benefit Savings Plans
• Life Insurance
• Disability Benefits
• Paid Time Off: starting with 22 days of time off per year, 12 or more holidays, 8 weeks parental leave

Education Benefits (visit Education Benefits for additional information)

After six months of employment, full-time and part-time (20+ hours) employees in a benefits-eligible position are offered options of:

• Use of up to $5250 per calendar year towards a for-credit degree program or for-credit certificate program
• Use of up to $2000 of the total $5250 noted above per calendar year for professional development including job-related training, conferences, and initial certificate exams.

Application Process

Please visit the UVA job board:
Careers at UVA Jobs and search for R0075159.

Complete an application online and attach:

Cover letter detailing your interest and relevant experience to this position Resume or CV

This position will remain open until filled. The University will perform background checks on all hires (if required) prior to employment. Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the United States. For this role, the University will not sponsor or consider candidates requiring sponsorship for employment visas now or in the future.

Applications that do not contain all required documents will not receive full consideration.

Process for internal UVA applicants: Please apply through your Workday home page. Search “Find Jobs” and then R0075159.

References will be completed via direct reach. Please plan to provide at least three references when applying.

A background check is required and will be conducted per university policy prior to the first day of employment.

For questions about the position
, contact Peter Beling, Assistant Professor, at pb3a.

For questions about the application…