Postdoctoral Associate 130210

University-of-West-Florida; Pensacola (FL); On-site; USD 65,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of West Florida is seeking a Postdoctoral Associate for the Center for Computational Intelligence in Pensacola, Florida. The position involves conducting cutting-edge research in computational neuroscience under the mentorship of Dr. Shusen Pu.

Candidates must hold a doctorate in a relevant field and possess strong programming skills in Python/Matlab. The role includes developing computational models, conducting neural data analysis, and contributing to grant proposals and manuscript preparations.

Qualifications

• Must have received a doctorate from an accredited institution.
• Strong programming skills in Python/Matlab are required.
• Experience in AI/machine learning or computational neuroscience.

Responsibilities

• Conduct research under mentorship to support computational intelligence projects.
• Develop computational models and systems for neuroscience research.
• Contribute to external funding proposal development and manuscript writing.

Skills

Python

Matlab

AI/Machine Learning

Computational Neuroscience

Data Analysis

Education

Doctorate in Computational Neuroscience or related field

Job description

POSITION DETAILS

Employment based visa sponsorship will NOT be considered for this position.

Position Number: 130210

Classification Title: Postdoctoral Associate

Working Title: Postdoctoral Associate

Department: Ctr for Computational Intelligence

FLSA Status: Exempt

Salary Range: $65,000 - $80,000

Pay Basis: Annually

POSITION OVERVIEW

JOB SUMMARY:

The successful candidate will conduct cutting-edge research under the mentorship of a Principal Investigator, Dr. Shusen Pu, to support projects under the Center for Computational Intelligence. This position will collaborate on the creation and/or application of computational models and systems capable of performing complex tasks in strategic research clusters. The specific project focuses on developing interpretable AI and computational modeling frameworks to address fundamental questions in neuroscience. The postdoctoral researcher will integrate neural recordings, dynamical systems models, recurrent neural networks, and modern AI approaches to study cognition, neural dynamics, and motor control. Working closely with experimental collaborators, the candidate will help connect computational models with empirical data, generate testable predictions, and refine models based on experimental observations. The candidate will also contribute to computational model development, neural data analysis, simulation, reproducible research workflows, manuscript preparation, and external grant development aligned with NSF and NIH funding opportunities.

The position is approved for funding for 2 years, with funding available to extend the appointment to a 3rd year, dependent on having met specified goals and metrics agreed upon by the PI and CCI leadership.

Postdocs are required to live locally with the expectation of working on campus, with schedule flexibility coordinated with the PI. Move date is also flexible within reason.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

The appointee shall have received a doctorate from an accredited institution in a field appropriate to the assigned duties and responsibilities such as Computational Neuroscience, Neuroscience, Applied Mathematics, Statistics/Biostatistics, Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, Data Science/Data Analytics, or a closely related field. Candidates must have a doctoral degree conferred before the appointment date. Candidates must also be authorized to work in the US (US citizens, permanent residents, or appropriate visa status. No H1-B visa allowed due to current moratorium).

POSITION QUALIFICATIONS

Documented experience working in a collaborative, interdisciplinary research team environment. Strong programming skills in Python/Matlab are required. Candidates should have demonstrated experience in AI/machine learning, large language models or modern AI systems, and computational neuroscience. The position also requires strong quantitative skills relevant to computational modeling, neural data analysis, simulation, and data-driven analysis of biological or neurophysiological systems. Excellent written and oral communication skills are required, including the ability to communicate technical results to both computational and experimental collaborators.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

Experience in one or more areas relevant to computational neuroscience, interpretable AI, machine learning, large language models, dynamical systems modeling, recurrent neural networks, neural-mass or mean-field modeling, EEG/ERP analysis, neural population data analysis, or model-data integration. Experience developing reproducible computational workflows in Python is preferred. Experience contributing to grant proposals or externally funded research projects is highly preferred. The ideal candidate will be able to work collaboratively in an interdisciplinary research team environment and communicate effectively with computational researchers, experimental collaborators, students, and external partners toward shared research goals.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS/JOB DUTIES

• 30% - Performs research on assigned projects, including computational model development, neural data analysis, simulation, and model-data integration, with a primary focus on generating preliminary results, figures, and workflows that support manuscripts and competitive external funding proposals. (Essential)
• 30% - Contributes directly to external funding proposal development, including drafting technical sections, preparing preliminary data, developing figures, supporting specific aims, and helping align project outcomes with NSF, NIH, and other relevant funding opportunities. (Essential)
• 20% - Writes and contributes to manuscripts for publication, including literature review, methods, results, figure preparation, and manuscript revision. (Essential)
• 10% - Coordinates project activities, tracks milestones, reports progress to the PI and research team, and helps ensure that research outputs are aligned with manuscript and proposal timelines. (Essential)
• 5% - Prepares research presentations and communicates findings to collaborators, internal research groups, conferences, and other applicable audiences. (Essential)
• 5% - Trains and mentors undergraduate students, graduate students, and other research associates involved in project-related research activities. (Essential)

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

• Physical Requirements: No unusual physical requirement. Requires no heavy lifting and nearly all work is performed in a comfortable indoor facility.
• Impact of Deadlines: Work schedules, volume of work, or priorities seldom change. Able to anticipate new work. Minimum distractions or interruptions. Seldom involves conflicting demands on time.
• Standing: Occasionally
• Walking:Occasionally
• Sitting:Daily
• Reaching with hands and arms:Frequently
• Climbing or balancing:Never
• Stooping:Never
• Use of hands to handle objects:Daily
• Lifting up to 10lbs:Occasionally
• Lifting up to 25lbs:Never
• Lifting over 25lbs:Never
• Talking as express or exchange of ideas verbally:Daily
• Hearing as perceive sound by ear:Daily
• Vision as distinguish colors & depth:Daily

Special Requirements or Considerations of the Job:

• This position requires a criminal background screening.
• This position requires fingerprinting.

ADDITIONAL POSTING DETAILS

Number of Vacancies: 1

Work Hours: 8am - 5pm

FTE: 1.0

Preferred Response Date: 07/15/2026