Postdoctoral Research Associate - Social Urban Networks

About the Opportunity

SUMMARY

The Network Science Institute (NetSI) at Northeastern University is a world-leading center for research and education in network science. NetSI faculty and researchers are working to advance the understanding of complex systems through the lens of networks, and to apply this knowledge to solve real-world problems in a wide range of fields, including urban science, public health, social science, and economics.

The Network Science Institute is seeking a Postdoctoral Research Associate to join the new Social Urban Networks (SUN) group. SUN focuses on developing computational social science tools to address urban challenges, from climate change and inequality to health and economic development. By using large datasets of human behavior, tools and ideas from physics, applied mathematics, complex systems or network science, and collaborations with industry, government, and local communities, we seek not only to advance the understanding of the temporal dynamics of social systems to unprecedented levels but also to transform our findings into tools and policies to help achieve resilient and equitable adaptation of our societies. These positions are for one year with the possibility of extending for a second year.

The SUN group is seeking highly motivated researchers to explore the following subjects:

• Fighting inequality in urban areas: mapping the inequality in the social fabric of cities at an unprecedented scale using high-resolution mobility and activity data.

• Creating resilient labor and urban economies: detecting economic resilience encoded in the dependency networks of agents, businesses, cities, or jobs.

• Understanding behavioral-network determinants of health outcomes in our cities, by modeling physical exposure between people and healthy environments.

The work heavily depends on data-driven, evidence-based modeling and collaboration with practitioners.

If you are interested, please submit the following materials with your application:

• A cover letter detailing your research interests and fit for the position.

• CV with a list of publications.

• Names and contact details for 2 references.

QUALIFICATIONS

PhD in network science, physics, big data, behavior modeling, urban science, complex systems, machine learning, visualization, geospatial analysis or related field. PhD is required by the start of the appointment. Programming (Python, R), statistics, and data science skills are essential. Successful candidates must be able to undertake substantially full-time research or scholarship and work under the supervision of a senior scholar.

Position Type

Additional Information

Northeastern University considers factors such as candidate work experience, education and skills when extending an offer.  

Northeastern has a comprehensive benefits package for benefit eligible employees. This includes medical, vision, dental, paid time off, tuition assistance, wellness & life, retirement- as well as commuting & transportation. Visit https://hr.northeastern.edu/benefits/ for more information.  

Northeastern University is an equal opportunity employer, seeking to recruit and support a broadly diverse community of faculty and staff.  Northeastern values and celebrates diversity in all its forms and strives to foster an inclusive culture built on respect that affirms inter-group relations and builds cohesion. 

All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply and will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, age, sex, sexual orientation, disability status, or any other  characteristic protected by applicable law.

To learn more about Northeastern University’s commitment and support of diversity and inclusion, please see www.northeastern.edu/diversity.