Postdoctoral Research Associate

Northeastern University; Boston (MA); On-site; USD 60,000 - 85,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical benefits

Vision benefits

Dental benefits

Paid time off

Tuition assistance

Wellness & life

Retirement plan

Commuting & transportation

Job summary

Northeastern University in Boston invites applications for a Postdoctoral Fellow to advance theoretical and applied research in signal processing for next-generation communication systems. The role emphasizes sparse signal recovery, compressed sensing, and statistical estimation, with emphasis on rigorous modeling, algorithm design, and performance characterization for practical networks.

The successful candidate will publish in peer-reviewed venues, mentor students on research projects, and

Qualifications

• Ph.D. in Applied Mathematics, Electrical & Computer Engineering, Computer Science, Industrial Engineering, or a closely related field by start date.
• Strong theoretical expertise in mathematical statistics, information theory, and the principles of signal estimation and detection, with the ability to translate these foundations into rigorous models and practical solutions for communication systems.
• Familiar with programming language including Python and MATLAB.
• Proven research and academic writing experience, including the preparation of high-quality scholarly articles for peer-reviewed journals and conferences.
• Experienced in mentoring and supervising students on research projects, with demonstrated leadership skills in guiding collaborative work.
• Excellent communication abilities, including fluent spoken English and strong presentation skills, enabling effective dissemination of research outcomes and active engagement in international academic discussions.

Responsibilities

• Conduct foundational research on signal processing theories and their applications in communication systems.
• Develop and analyze advanced methods in sparse signal recovery, compressed sensing, and statistical estimation.
• Collaborate with cross-disciplinary teams to model, implement, and characterize performance in networks.

Skills

Statistics theory

Information theory

Signal processing

Education

PhD in a relevant field

Tools

Python

MATLAB

Job description

About the Opportunity As a Postdoctoral Fellow, the candidate will conduct research on the fundamental theories of signal processing and explore their applications in modern communication systems. Work will emphasize the development and analysis of advanced methods in areas such as sparse signal recovery, compressed sensing, and statistical estimation, with a particular focus on their role in efficient transmission and robust communication. This work involves formulating rigorous analytical models, designing efficient algorithms, and establishing performance characterization methods that drive both theoretical progress and practical implementation in communication networks. Through these efforts, the Postdoc will generate impactful academic contributions that support the design of next-generation communication infrastructures.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Ph.D. in Applied Mathematics, Electrical & Computer Engineering, Computer Science, Industrial Engineering, or a closely related field by start date.
• Strong theoretical expertise in mathematical statistics, information theory, and the principles of signal estimation and detection, with the ability to translate these foundations into rigorous models and practical solutions for communication systems.
• Familiar with programming language including Python and MATLAB.
• Proven research and academic writing experience, including the preparation of high-quality scholarly articles for peer-reviewed journals and conferences.
• Experienced in mentoring and supervising students on research projects, with demonstrated leadership skills in guiding collaborative work.
• Excellent communication abilities, including fluent spoken English and strong presentation skills, enabling effective dissemination of research outcomes and active engagement in international academic discussions.

Position Type Research

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.

Benefits

• medical
• vision
• dental
• paid time off
• tuition assistance
• wellness & life
• retirement-
• commuting & transportation

Compensation Grade/Pay Type: 108S Expected Hiring Range: $60,315.00 - $85,192.50 With the pay range(s) shown above, the starting salary will depend on several factors, which may include your education, experience, location, knowledge and expertise, and skills as well as a pay comparison to similarly-situated employees already in the role. Salary ranges are reviewed regularly and are subject to change.

Founded in 1898, Northeastern is a global research university and the recognized leader in experiential lifelong learning. Our approach of integrating real-world experience with education, research, and innovation empowers our students, faculty, alumni, and partners to create worldwide impact. Our global university system provides our community and academic, government, and industry partners with unique opportunities to think locally and act globally. The system—which includes 14 campuses across the U.S., U.K., and Canada, 300,000-plus alumni, and 3,000 partners worldwide—serves as a platform for scaling ideas, talent, and solutions. The university’s residential campuses for undergraduate and graduate degrees are located in Boston, London, and Oakland, California. Our research and graduate campuses are in the Massachusetts communities of Burlington and Nahant; Arlington, Virginia; Charlotte, North Carolina; Miami; Portland, Maine; Seattle; Silicon Valley, California; Toronto; and Vancouver. Northeastern’s personalized, experiential undergraduate and graduate programs lead to degrees through the doctorate in 10 colleges and schools across our campuses. Learning emphasizes the intersection of data, technology, and human literacies, uniquely preparing graduates for careers of the future and lives of fulfillment and accomplishment. Our research enterprise, with an R1 Carnegie classification, is solutions oriented and spans the world. Our faculty scholars and students work in teams that cross not just disciplines, but also sectors—aligned around solving today’s highly interconnected global challenges and focused on transformative impact for humankind.

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.

Visit https://hr.northeastern.edu/benefits/ for more information.