Research Assistant Professor

Clarkson University•Potsdam, NY

18h•$55,000 - $60,000

About The Position

The Clarkson Center for Complex Systems Science (C3S2) in conjunction with the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering invites applications for a Research Assistant Professor to join an active research program at the intersection of complex systems, information theory, and critical phenomena. The successful candidate will work closely with Dr. Jeremie Fish on projects that investigate how information flows, organizes, and transforms within high‑dimensional dynamical systems, with particular emphasis on criticality, emergent structure, and operator‑theoretic approaches to complex behavior. This position offers the opportunity to contribute to foundational research on the information‑theoretic signatures of complex systems, develop new analytical and computational tools for detecting and characterizing critical transitions, and collaborate on interdisciplinary projects spanning physics, biology, network science, and data‑driven modeling. In addition to research responsibilities, the postdoctoral associate will be an active member of the Clarkson Center for Complex Systems Science, participating in seminars, mentoring student researchers, and helping shape the Center’s growing intellectual community. Candidates from all disciplinary backgrounds are welcome, including candidates that are all but degree (ABD) by the start date and demonstrate strong quantitative skills, creativity, and interest in complex systems research.

Requirements

All but degree (ABD) in Mathematics, Physics, Computer Science or related field with significant experience and a publication record in the specific field of complex systems science.
Experience in the development of complex systems science theory.
Ability to write scientific code, and maintaining github repositories.
Strong theoretical foundation in complex systems, dynamical systems, statistical physics, information theory, or related quantitative fields.
Advanced computational proficiency, including experience with scientific programming, simulation frameworks, and reproducible research practices.
Ability to design and analyze high‑dimensional models, including nonlinear dynamics, networked systems, or operator‑theoretic representations.
Expertise in quantitative data analysis, including statistical inference, information‑theoretic metrics, or machine‑learning‑based modeling.
Strong scientific communication skills, including manuscript preparation, presentation of research findings, and collaborative writing.
Capacity for independent research, including formulating questions, developing methodologies, and driving projects with minimal supervision.
Collaborative mindset, with the ability to work across disciplines and contribute to the intellectual community of the Clarkson Center for Complex Systems Science.
Mentorship and leadership ability, particularly in guiding undergraduate and graduate researchers in computational and theoretical methods.
Organizational and project‑management skills, including maintaining clear documentation, managing code and data, and coordinating multi‑person research efforts.
Intellectual flexibility and curiosity, with a demonstrated ability to learn new mathematical, computational, or conceptual tools as research directions evolve.

Nice To Haves

PhD obtained in a relevant field and 2 years postdoctoral experience.
Deep knowledge of information and probability theory.
Preference will be given to people with experience coding in python, MATLAB and/or R.

Responsibilities

Conduct original research in complex systems science with emphasis on information theory, criticality, emergent behavior, and related operator‑theoretic or computational frameworks.
Design, implement, and analyze computational experiments, simulations, and theoretical models relevant to the study of high‑dimensional dynamical systems.
Develop, refine, and document research workflows, analytical pipelines, and reproducible codebases.
Prepare manuscripts for peer‑reviewed journals and contribute to collaborative writing efforts across the research group and the Clarkson Center for Complex Systems Science (C3S2).
Present research findings at internal seminars, interdisciplinary working groups, and external conferences.
Demonstrate initiative in identifying new research directions, proposing methodological improvements, and independently advancing project goals.
Actively participate in the intellectual life of the Clarkson Center for Complex Systems Science, including seminars, reading groups, and collaborative research initiatives.
Contribute to the development of center‑wide research themes, interdisciplinary partnerships, and emerging project areas.
Support the Center’s mission by helping shape programming, outreach, and collaborative opportunities with faculty, students, and external partners.
Assist in maintaining accurate and up‑to‑date research descriptions, project summaries, and related content for the C3S2 website and communications.
Provide guidance to undergraduate and graduate researchers working on complex systems projects, including training in computational methods, theoretical tools, and research best practices.
Offer constructive feedback on student work, assist with project scoping, and help maintain a supportive and rigorous research environment.
Contribute to the development of modular research materials, tutorials, or short courses aligned with the Center’s educational goals.
Coordinate research activities across multiple projects, ensuring timely progress, clear documentation, and effective communication with collaborators.
Manage data, code repositories, and research records with attention to accuracy, reproducibility, and confidentiality.
Assist with preparation of grant materials, progress reports, and research summaries for funding agencies.
Support collaborative initiatives with industry, government, or interdisciplinary partners as opportunities arise.
Maintain high standards of research integrity, confidentiality, and responsible data stewardship.
Contribute to the organization of workshops, symposia, and research events hosted by C3S2.
Participate in travel for conferences, collaborations, or field‑specific meetings as needed.
Engage in continuous professional development, including learning new analytical tools, computational methods, or theoretical frameworks relevant to complex systems research.
Assist with other research‑related tasks, center initiatives, and scholarly activities as assigned.