Postdoctoral Associate - ML/AI Electrical Engin...

Postdoctoral Associate -

ML/AI Electrical Engineering Category:

Research Foundation

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Department:

College of Engineering

Locations:

Utica, NY

Posted:

Dec 15, 2025

Closes:

Open Until Filled

Type:

Full-time Temporary Ref. No.: R25-88

Salary Type:

Annually

Salary Range:

$60,000.00 - $65,000.00 Position 

ID:

195696

About SUNY Polytechnic Institute:

The Research Foundation for The State University of New York (RF) is the largest comprehensive university-connected research foundation in the country. Our mission is to provide talent, services, and technology that empower SUNY to research, innovate, and transfer discoveries that transform the world's knowledge economy. Our vision is to make SUNY the best place for faculty, students and staff to research, innovate, and solve the world's most pressing problems. The RF serves SUNY by providing essential administrative services that enable SUNY faculty to focus their efforts on the education of students and the performance of life-changing research across a wide range of disciplines including medicine, engineering, physical sciences, energy, computer science, and social sciences. We work with the academic and business leadership of SUNY campuses to support research and discovery through the administration of sponsored projects and technology transfer and management of intellectual property for public benefit and economic growth. The RF is committed to diversity, inclusion and a working environment that enhances productivity, creates personal and professional opportunities, unleashes everyone's full potential and fuels innovation. We hold the organization and each other to the highest standards of integrity, accountability and ethical behavior. Visit www.rfsuny.org and connect with the us on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn. Learn about SUNY at www.suny.edu Top 10 Reasons To Work at The Research Foundation for

SUNY Job Description:

Position Overview / Introduction to Lab / Center /

PI Job Title:

Postdoctoral Associate -

ML/AI Electrical Engineering Office/Location:

SUNY Polytechnic Institute The Center for Safe and Secure AI Robotics is looking to hire a post-doctoral associate to carry out research on machine spatial reasoning. The appointment is for one year, renewable for a second year, given the availability of funds. The focus is on developing tools for characterizing the spatial reasoning capabilities of multi-mode large language models and hybrid AI systems combining artificial neural networks with symbolic AI. In-house research and development of one of these systems, fined tuned for zooming in on machine spatial reasoning, is within the scope of this project. Developing efficient algorithms for converting computer simulations of a system in a complex environment (e.g., robotic simulations) into the would-be sensor inputs of the simulated system is within the scope of this project. The successful candidate will join a multi-institution research team of faculty at SUNY Polytechnic Institute, consisting of engineers, physicists, and mathematicians. The position is based in Utica, NY. The successful candidate will have a doctoral degree in electrical or mechanical engineering, applied physics, computer science, or a related field. Required skills include an advanced command of Python. Mastery of a language in the C family is a plus. Some familiarity with programming of hybrid AI systems (symbolic AI + neural networks) is a plus. Experience with spatial sensing methods and technologies and/or some aspect of machine spatial awareness (for example, robotic path planning) is a plus. The position is based in Utica, NY. Job Responsibilities Actively seeking, reading, and discussing the research literature relevant to the project or projects weekly Identify and/or develop hypotheses and methods for advancing the research effort Design and carry out computer experiments on deep learning and related robotic simulations Collaborate with other engineers to create prototypes of embodied AI that test the outcomes of this research Write STEM papers for peer-reviewed journals and conference proceeding Research projects initiated by the postdoc and approved by the PI Work on writing grant proposals Other Duties as assigned The successful applicant is welcome and encouraged to propose to the PI a project of their own for part-time research and development when the demands of other grant-funded projects allow for it This position is contingent on the satisfactory completion of a background check; this position may require annual checks.

Salary:

 $60,000 - $65,000

Requirements:

Minimal Qualifications:

Ph.D. in computer science or a related field (e.g., engineering, applied mathematics, statistics) awarded within the past 5 years. Strong theoretical understanding and practical experience in machine learning, foundation models, and AI techniques. Specifically, includes working with large language models, quantizing model parameter weights, utilizing parameter sparsity for pruning, and distilling smaller language models from LLMs. Demonstrated publication record in the machine learning and AI field. Excellent programming and computer science skills.

Preferred Qualification:

Doctoral degree in electrical engineering, physics, computer science, applied mathematics or related fields from college or University accredited by the US Department of Education or internationally recognized accrediting organization.

Additional Information: