Description
Envision yourself in a collaborative, inclusive, and innovative work environment that has a deep commitment to position our graduates for success in their professional and personal lives. Visualize applying your energy and skills for an organization that respects and cares about its employees enough to offer some of the best benefits of the industry while encouraging every team member to grow, collaborate, and provide input on how to consistently make the workplace a place people love to work. Imagine working at a college that welcomes everyone — students, faculty, staff, and community members — regardless of their backgrounds, beliefs, or traditions. If what was just described is what you look for in a workplace, welcome to the University of Colorado Colorado Springs (UCCS)!

Dr. Terrance Boult and his team at the El Pomar Institute for Innovation and Commericalization (EPIIC) at the University of Colorado Colorado Springs (UCCS) are seeking one or more highly motivated advanced post-doctoral researcher(s) with a strong record of accomplishment in machine learning and computer vision, ideally with incremental learning, deep learning, or open-set learning, and/or with biometrics and computational photography. Title and salary are dependent on the candidate's qualifications and experience. Please feel free to explore the VAST lab here.

Who We Are:

The VAST lab is actively pursuing research in both vision and security.  Particular areas of research depend on both funding and student interests.  We currently have funding (either direct or with company partners) in many areas and we work with local industry in Colorado Springs in order to support many of the teams in the UCCS Bachelor of Innovation program.  In addition, Dr. Boult also works with multiple students that have their own funding and, therefore, can direct their own work.

The University of Colorado Colorado Springs (UCCS) is one of four campuses in the University of Colorado system and is home to over 9,000 undergraduate and 1,800 graduate students. UCCS offers 53 undergraduate degree programs, 24 graduate degree programs, and 8 doctoral programs. UCCS is also home to the world’s only Bachelor of Innovation^TM program, which allows our graduates to master multi-disciplinary skills and graduate ready to create real change in the world. UCCS was recently classified as a “High Research Activity” university by the Carnegie Foundation and takes pride in being the only higher education institution in southern Colorado that explicitly includes research as part of its mission. We have a strong focus in fueling student success by creating, using, and maintaining a multitude of offices – First Year Experience, Excel Centers, Academic Advising, and the Career Center just to name a few. Overall, UCCS is constantly focused of preparing our students to have success in the future, and we understand that every single employee on our campus has a significant effect on that focus.

The city, which was recently ranked as the number six Best Places to Live by U.S. News & World Report in 2021, known as Olympic City USA, rests at the base of Pikes Peak, the inspiration for the song “America the Beautiful” and a must-see for residents and visitors alike. The 14,115 foot summit is just one of dozens of area attractions, including scenic trains, museums, parks, a zoo and more. With a mild climate and 247 days of sunshine each year, the Springs boasts some of the state’s best recreation opportunities.

Job Duties:

Research on long-range biometrics and the atmospheric effects of long-range imaging on identification, including the development of new theories and algorithms for addressing these problemsDesign and execute experiments to validate the researchWrite papersCreate presentations on the research for conferences

The job duties listed are typical examples of work performed by positions in this job classification and are not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, tasks, and responsibilities. Specific duties and responsibilities may vary depending on department or program needs without changing the general nature and scope of the job or level of responsibility. Employees may also perform other duties as assigned.

Example of Work Performed:

The Senior Professional Assistant is a non-tenure track research position, doing advanced research and development.  They are expected to work closely with Dr. Boult and his graduate/undergraduate students on: 

formalized models for open world learning with extreme value theory,semi-supervised and unsupervised incremental learning, open world learning for object classification and detection, and ,open world learning in visual observation of games.

The Research Associate is a non-tenure track research position, similar to a research professor and, as such, is expected to direct/manage graduate and undergraduate students, as well as, work on grant proposals and project management/reporting/financial tracking.  They may also teach courses at the undergraduate or graduate level and serve on students' Ph.D committees once admitted to the graduate faculty.  They will also have normal post-doctoral duties of performing research, development of software, and the writing of papers.

Work Location: On-site (preferred) / Hybrid allowed (at least 5% on-site/ at most 95% off-site, to be determined with supervisor)

Remote work will be available for emergency events. This will be offered based on the emergency and allowance will come from leadership and the guidelines provided at the time of the emergency.

This position has been determined to be exempt from the overtime provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).

What We Offer:

Salary Range:

Senior Professional Research Assistant: Generally starting at $62,000 - $72,500 per yearResearch Associate: Generally starting at $72,500-$85,000 per year

The salary of the finalist(s) selected for this role will be set based on a variety of factors, including but not limited to, internal equity, experience, education, specialty and training.

The University of Colorado Colorado Springs offers excellent benefits, some of which include:

Medical insurance, with the lowest cost option being $0 to the employeeDental, Vision, Life and Disability insuranceGenerous paid vacation and sick time accruals (14.67 hours of vacation and 10 hours of sick accrued per month, prorated if part-time)Mandatory retirement plans. Employees contribute 5% of their annual compensation. CU doubles that and contributes 10%Tuition Assistant Benefit available to you or a dependentPaid Parental Leave after 12 months of employmentFaculty Housing Assistance Program

This position is dependent on the availability of external gift funding. Funding is currently expected to last one to two years, depending on the position filled.

Tentative Search Timeline:

Priority will be given to applications submitted by April 27, 2022. However, this posting will remain open until filled. The potential dates for interviews with the search committee will be the week of May 2, 2022.The potential dates for interviews with the supervisor and appointing authority will be the week of May 9, 2022.The potential employee start date is June 1, 2022.

The University of Colorado Colorado Springs is committed to providing a safe and productive learning, living and working community. To assist in achieving this goal, we conduct background investigations for all prospective applicants being considered for employment. Background investigations include a criminal history record check, and when appropriate, a financial and/or motor vehicle history check. 

UCCS is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer. In compliance with applicable laws and in furtherance of its commitment to fostering an environment that welcomes and embraces diversity, the University of Colorado does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender, disability, age, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetic information, political affiliation or political philosophy in its programs or activities, including employment, admissions, and educational programs. Alternative formats of this ad can be provided upon request for individuals with disabilities by contacting the Office of Human Resources at (719) 255-3372.

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each of the established essential functions and meet the physical and environment demands described satisfactorily. The requirements listed are representative of the knowledge, skill, ability, physical and environmental conditions required of the employee on the job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions, physical and environmental demands.

Applicants with disabilities: If you have a mental or physical impairment, which limits one of your major life activities (e.g. walking, hearing, seeing, speaking, breathing, or learning) and require special accommodations for testing or interviewing, it is your responsibility to notify the office scheduling the interview or test at least 3 working days before the interview or test date.  If you need special accommodations at the work site, you must notify the appointing authority or Human Resources.

The Immigration Reform and Control Act requires that verification of employment eligibility be documented for all new employees by the end of the third day of work.

Qualifications
Minimum Qualifications:

Senior Professional Research Assistant
Three or more years of computer vision, machine learning, or biometrics research and development experienceAt least an MS in related field (Ph.D preferred) or at least 3 publications and 75 citations
Research Associate
Ph.D in CS, ECE, Security or related fieldsFive or more years of computer vision, machine learning, or biometrics research and development experienceAt least one year of Post-Doctoral or faculty experience doing research and developing softwareMultiple publications are required at least one of which is post-graduation and includes students with whom the candidate is working but are not from their Ph.D granting institution

Preferred Qualifications:

Senior Professional Research Assistant
Experience mentoring students in researchExcellent communication/writing skillsExperience in grant management/reportingExperience in atmospheric modeling or long-range imaging
Research Associate
Experience managing students

 Physical Requirements:

May be required to exert up to 20 lbs of force occassionally, and/or up to 10 lbs of force frequently, and/or a negligible amount of force constantly to move objectsLight work usually requires walking or standing to a significant degreeNeeds clarity of vision from 20 inches or less to 20 feet or more

Job Category: Faculty
Primary Location: Colorado Springs
Schedule: Full-time
Posting Date: Apr 12, 2022
Unposting Date: Ongoing