Post Doctoral Fellow - Concurrency, High-Performance Computing, and Quantum Computing

University of Houston; Houston, Northern (TX, KY); Hybrid; USD 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

The Department of Computer Science at the University of Houston invites applications for a Postdoctoral Researcher to work with Dr. Damian Dechev, focusing on concurrent computing, HPC, scientific computing, and programmable quantum computing.

The role includes leading technical work, mentoring students, and contributing to publications and proposals. This is a full-time, benefits-eligible appointment with an initial one-year term, renewable based on performance and funding availability.

Qualifications

• Ph.D. in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, or a closely related field (completed by the start date).
• Strong research record demonstrated by peer-reviewed publications.
• Expertise in one or more: concurrent/parallel programming, high-performance computing, systems software, formal verification of concurrent systems, or quantum computing.
• Proficiency in modern systems programming (e.g., C/C++), strong software-engineering practices, and experience with version control and reproducible research.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills and the ability to work both independently and collaboratively.

Responsibilities

• Conduct original research in the areas above, including design, implementation, and rigorous experimental evaluation.
• Publish results in top-tier peer-reviewed venues and present at conferences and workshops.
• Contribute to the preparation of research proposals and progress reports for federal and industry sponsors.
• Mentor and collaborate with graduate and undergraduate student researchers.
• Help build and maintain shared research infrastructure, software, and documentation.
• Collaborate with academic, national-laboratory, and industry partners.

Skills

C/C++ programming

Version control & reproducible

Systems software

Independent & collaborative work

Scientific communication

Education

Ph.D. in Computer Science/Computer Engineering

Tools

Git

Linux

Job description

Department

Computer Science

Salary

Commensurate with Experience/Education

Description

Possesses, understands, and applies a comprehensive knowledge in area of specialization. Develops understanding and skills to allow for completion of assignments that cross fields of specialization. Develops leadership and management skills.

• Receives/Reviews progress and evaluates results of experiments or projects under control or supervisory responsibility.
• Recommends changes in research, testing or experimental procedures.
• May be responsible for a single highly technical and complex piece of research equipment.
• May review and evaluate the effectiveness of personnel.
• May plan for and assign personnel to projects under control.
• Operates with latitude for unreviewed action.
• May receive general supervision conferring with higher levels only in unusual situations.
• Performs other job-related duties as required.

The Department of Computer Science at the University of Houston invites applications for a Postdoctoral Researcher to work with Dr. Damian Dechev. The position sup-ports an active research program at the intersection of concurrent computing, high-performance and scientific computing, and programmable quantum computing. The researcher will help lead technical work, mentor graduate and undergraduate students, and contribute to publications and proposals.

This is a full-time, benefits-eligible appointment. The initial term is one year, renewable based on performance and funding availability.

Research Areas

• Concurrent data structures and algorithms — design and analysis of scalable lock-free and wait-free algorithms, and the correctness and verification of concurrent execution histories.
• High-performance and scientific computing — performance analysis, telemetry, and intra-node performance monitoring for large-scale systems (including work connected to the OVIS/LDMS ecosystem and DOE laboratory collaborations).
• Programmable quantum computing — quantum algorithms and applications on trapped-ion hardware (via cloud quantum access), and the integration of quantum computing with HPC and scientific-computing workflows.
• Scalable AI infrastructure — systems and runtime support for large-scale AI workloads, including scalable training/inference, resource management, and the concurrency and performance challenges of AI on parallel and heterogeneous hardware.

Key Responsibilities

• Conduct original research in the areas above, including design, implementation, and rigorous experimental evaluation.
• Publish results in top-tier peer-reviewed venues and present at conferences and workshops.
• Contribute to the preparation of research proposals and progress reports for federal and industry sponsors.
• Mentor and collaborate with graduate and undergraduate student researchers.
• Help build and maintain shared research infrastructure, software, and documentation.
• Collaborate with academic, national-laboratory, and industry partners.

Required Qualifications

• Ph.D. in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, or a closely related field (completed by the start date).
• Strong research record demonstrated by peer-reviewed publications.
• Expertise in one or more of: concurrent/parallel programming, high-performance computing, systems software, formal verification of concurrent systems, or quantum computing.
• Proficiency in modern systems programming (e.g., C/C++), strong software-engineering practices, and experience with version control and reproducible research.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills and the ability to work both independently and collaboratively.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with HPC environments, performance profiling/telemetry, or large-scale data analysis.
• Familiarity with quantum programming frameworks and quantum-classical hybrid workflows.
• Background in scalable AI/ML infrastructure, operating systems, or compilers.
• Experience mentoring students and contributing to proposals.

Appointment and Compensation

• Full-time, benefits-eligible postdoctoral appointment.
• Initial one-year term, renewable subject to performance and funding.
• Salary commensurate with qualifications and experience, consistent with University of Houston postdoctoral guidelines.

MQ: Requires singular knowledge of a specialized advanced professional discipline or the highest level of general business knowledge, normally acquired through attainment of a directly job-related terminal degree or equivalent formal training in a recognized field of specialization that is directly related to the type of work being performed. No experience is required.

All positions at the University of Houston-System are security sensitive and will require a criminal history check.

The University of Houston System and its universities are Equal Opportunity Institutions. Everyone is encouraged to apply.