Postdoctoral Research Associate

Texas A&M • Corpus Christi, TX

3d • $55,575

About The Position

The College of Engineering and Computer Science at Texas A&M University–Corpus Christi (TAMU-CC) invites applications for a Postdoctoral Research Associate to advance the state of the art in safe, efficient, and uncertainty-aware algorithms for autonomous driving systems. The position focuses on developing robust decision-making, planning, and control methods that address uncertainty arising from perception, vehicle dynamics, and complex real-world environments. Research themes include model predictive control, reinforcement learning, reachability analysis, uncertainty quantification, and safety-critical visual reasoning. This position offers the opportunity to collaborate with an interdisciplinary team of researchers in a highly supportive and innovative environment. The appointment is for one year, with the possibility of renewal based on performance and available funding.

Requirements

• Doctoral Degree in Automation, Robotics, Control, Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, or a related field; advanced ABD will be considered and degree must be conferred by time of appointment.
• Strong background in one or more of the following areas: Optimal control, MPC, RL, or reachability analysis.
• Uncertainty quantification, stochastic modeling, or probabilistic reasoning.
• Proficiency in Python, C++, or MATLAB, with demonstrated ability to implement complex algorithms.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.

Nice To Haves

• Experience with driving simulators (e.g., CARLA, SUMO) or robotic simulation environments (e.g., Isaac Sim, Gazebo).
• Experience with ROS or ROS 2.
• Experience with PyTorch or other machine learning frameworks.
• Hands-on experience with physical testing or experimentation on robotic or autonomous vehicle platforms.
• Publications in top-tier journals or conferences.
• Evidence of code-base/documentation efforts
• A record of scholarship in preparing research protocol, conducting study, and writing paper.
• A record demonstrating knowledge, skills, and abilities in coordinating research projects, mentoring student interns, and code-base research.
• Interest in safety, uncertainty, and real-time decision making for autonomous systems.

Responsibilities

• Conduct research on safe, efficient, and uncertainty-aware algorithms for autonomous driving systems.
• Safe and efficient decision-making and control for autonomous vehicles.
• Model Predictive Control (MPC), Reinforcement Learning (RL), and reachability analysis.
• Uncertainty quantification and propagation in planning and control.
• 3D scene understanding, cooperative perception, and safety-critical visual reasoning.
• Develop theoretical and computational methods to advance these areas.
• Publish research results in peer-reviewed journals and present findings at conferences.
• Develop, implement, and validate research algorithms.
• Maintain reproducible code and documentation.
• Conduct simulation experiments using driving simulators or other software tools to test and validate algorithms.
• Perform physical experiments on robotic and vehicle-based experimental platforms to evaluate real-world performance.
• Ensure safe operation, setup, and maintenance of research equipment and experimental platforms.
• Prepare research reports, manuscripts, and presentations for conferences and publications.
• Collaborate with lab members, faculty, and external partners on research projects.
• Mentor graduate or undergraduate students as needed.

Benefits

• Medical $0 - $30 per month for Employee Only coverage after university contribution ($920 value).
• Up to 83% of premium covered by the university: Employee and Spouse Employee and Children Employee and Family coverage
• Dental & Vision
• Life Insurance, Accidental D&D, Long Term Disability, Flexible Spending Account and Day Care Spending Account
• DUAL CAREER PARTNER PROGRAM
• ON-CAMPUS WELLNESS OPPORTUNITIES
• Work Life Solutions: Counseling, Work Life Assistance, Financial Resources, and Legal Resources
• Tuition Benefits: Public Loan Forgiveness Book scholarships 100% tuition coverage for up to 18 credit hours per fiscal year (other rules may apply).
• Retirement : Teacher Retirement System of Texas (TRS) or Optional Retirement Plan (ORP)
• Voluntary Tax Deferred Account/Deferred Compensation Plan
• Time Off : 8+ hours of vacation paid time off every month.
• 8 hours of sick leave time off every month.
• 8 hours of paid time off for Birthday leave.
• 12-15 paid holidays each year.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: Ph.D. or professional degree
• Number of Employees: 251-500 employees