Postdoctoral Research Scholar

Arizona State University • Tempe, AZ

1d

About The Position

The School of Geographical Sciences and Urban Planning is seeking up to two (2) highly motivated Postdoctoral Scholars in Geospatial Artificial Intelligence (GeoAI) under the supervision of Dr. Wenwen Li. The successful candidates will work at the intersection of cutting-edge AI (e.g., computer vision, generative AI, large language models, multimodal AI) and geospatial applications (e.g., environmental monitoring and forecasting using time-series satellite imagery, and linking multimodal geospatial information for comprehensive question answering and information retrieval). Candidates are expected to contribute to both the methodological innovation and societal impact of GeoAI. For Position 1, we seek a candidate with strong expertise in remote sensing, computer vision, and big image data analysis, focusing on developing novel algorithms for mapping and monitoring environmental change. Position 2, we emphasize expertise in generative AI and natural language processing, particularly in training and fine-tuning large LLMs and VLMs, as well as applying AI inference and spatial reasoning to address critical theoretical and/or applied geospatial problems. These positions offer an exciting opportunity to work in an interdisciplinary environment, collaborating with scientists and engineers across institutions and disciplines. As an integral part of SGSUP, the candidates are encouraged to collaborate with faculty and staff within the Spatial Analysis Research Center (SPARC), Urban Climate Research Center, and other research networks across campus. Candidates with backgrounds in computer science, remote sensing, or GIScience are especially encouraged to apply. About the School of Geographical Sciences and Urban Planning SGSUP is proudly transdisciplinary. The mission of SGSUP is to advance geospatial knowledge for a complex world, emphasizing education, research, and applied solutions to urban and environmental problems. We are a distinctive community of social and physical scientists whose blended expertise is producing breakthroughs in urban planning and geography. We are committed to the social and environmental well-being of communities, places, and people. We are world leaders in spatial science and urban climatology. We are emerging leaders in social equity, transportation, housing, urban systems analysis, human-environmental systems, sustainability, resilience, and earth surface processes. SPGS houses research centers, including the Spatial Analysis Research Center (SPARC) and the Urban Climate Research Center (UCRC), and has a recognized strength in spatial science, AI, human environmental systems, urban systems analysis, earth surface processes, transportation, and urban planning. About The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences is the academic heart of Arizona State University, committed to improving communities on a local, national, and global scale. We support the professional development and growth of our faculty and staff in their cutting-edge research to advance these aims. Within The College, our faculty engage with a large, curious student body, guiding them as they grow into socially aware, critical thinkers and writers able to succeed in a wide range of careers and to address the challenges of the twenty- first century. Advancing the success of our students remains our top priority. To learn more about The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, please visit: https://thecollege.asu.edu . About Arizona State University ASU exemplifies a new prototype for the American public research university. As articulated in the ASU Charter, ASU is a comprehensive public research university, measured not by whom it excludes, but by whom it includes and how they succeed; advancing research and discovery of public value; and assuming fundamental responsibility for the economic, social, cultural, and overall health of the communities it serves.

Requirements

• Ph.D. or terminal degree in Computer Science, Remote Sensing, GIScience, or a closely related field by the time of appointment.
• Strong background in deep learning, computer vision, or generative AI.
• Demonstrated experience with one or more deep learning frameworks (e.g., PyTorch, TensorFlow).
• Demonstrated ability to work with large-scale Earth observation data and apply AI methods for geospatial big data analysis.
• Record of peer-reviewed publications in relevant fields.

Nice To Haves

• Demonstrated experience with GeoAI methods, including multimodal learning, foundation models, large language models (LLMs), and/or vision-language models (VLMs).
• Familiarity with frameworks such as PyTorch, Hugging Face Transformers, and PEFT, with proficiency in multimodal learning, transformer-based architectures, and applying these models for spatiotemporal reasoning and geospatial understanding.
• Proven ability to work with geospatial and remote sensing data, including data processing and analysis using tools such as GDAL, Google Earth Engine, or similar platforms, and working in cloud or high-performance computing (HPC) environments.
• Demonstrated experience and understanding of spatiotemporal modeling, AI-driven environmental mapping, or forecasting applications.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills, and a demonstrated ability to work collaboratively in interdisciplinary research teams.
• Demonstrated commitment to working with faculty, staff, students, and communities to advance the principles of the ASU Charter .

Responsibilities

• Develop, train, and fine-tune cutting-edge AI and GeoAI models for environmental monitoring and the analysis of complex spatiotemporal phenomena.
• Integrate multimodal geospatial data (e.g., satellite, in-situ, and social data) to advance understanding of Earth system processes.
• Publish research results in high-impact journals and present findings at major international conferences.
• Collaborate with interdisciplinary teams across Earth science, computer science, and sustainability domains to support project goals and proposal development.
• Mentor graduate and undergraduate students, fostering collaboration and research excellence.
• Contribute to the development of open-source tools, datasets, or workflows that advance the broader GeoAI research community.

What This Job Offers

• Education Level: Ph.D. or professional degree
• Number of Employees: 1,001-5,000 employees