Connectionists: Job Post: Researcher in Data Science, Center for Mathematical Modeling (Universidad de Chile)

[Felipe Tobar]

**1) Presentation**

The Center for Mathematical Modeling (CMM) is searching for a researcher in the area of Data Science and Artificial Intelligence. This position focuses on the development of applied research and technology transfer, within data science projects funded by public instruments or in partnership with private partners. In addition, the selected candidate is expected to contribute to the Center with his/her own line of research, with a strong focus on applied and transferable research, which can be jointly developed with the multidisciplinary teams of the Center and the Data and AI Initiative of the Faculty of Physical and Mathematical Sciences at U. of Chile.

**2) Brief description of CMM**

The Center for Mathematical Modeling (CMM) is a leading national scientific institution dedicated to theoretical and applied research and technology transfer. Its main objective is to contribute to the development of mathematics and its application to the solution of problems from other sciences, industry and the public sector. CMM is partly funded by ANID (the Chilean Agency for Research and Development), is an International Research Laboratory of the French National Center for Scientific Research (CNRS), and has an extensive national and international network of collaborators. The work of the center is organized into six areas of fundamental research in mathematics, and six strategic areas of applied research and technology transfer (Climate and Biodiversity, Data Science, Digital Health, Digital Mining, Resource Management, and Education).
The Data Science area of the Center (CMM-Data) aims to identify and develop applied research and transfer projects related to data science. The group has carried out technology transfer in sectors such as retail, mining, health, marketing analytics and the public sector, working in challenges related to image, audio and natural language processing, time series estimation, pattern recognition, and resource allocation. These problems have been addressed with methodologies inspired by different branches of mathematics, statistics and computer science, including rule-based systems, neural networks, kernel methods and Bayesian inference, among others.
In addition to leading its own initiatives, CMM-Data also plays a broader role in the Center by coordinating and making visible the activities that are developed throughout the center on topics related to data. The group also develops continuing education programs, through tailored courses for entities in the public and private sector, and through the development of a Diploma in Data, soon to be launched.

**3) Job description**

The successful candidate will be immersed in an interdisciplinary working group composed of different CMM laboratories, including the areas of Astroinformatics, Digital Health, Digital Mining, Resource Management and Technology Transfer. In addition, he/she will participate in the Data and Artificial Intelligence Initiative (IDIA) of the University of Chile and will be able to make use of its collaborative networks and other resources. The researcher will report directly to the coordination of the CMM-Data area of the Center.
The area in which the researcher will work is responsible for attracting applied research and technology transfer projects with public or private counterparts, both with direct funding and through the application to national (e.g., CORFO or ANID) and international competitive funds. During the development of these projects, the researcher will be expected to lead groups of engineers and data scientists, and collaborate with other researchers at the Center.
It is expected that, in the context of the projects in which the researcher will take part, he/she will lead, or actively participate, in research production leading to publications and in the dissemination of results to the academic community. In addition, the position includes teaching in data science in the area of continuing education (particularly in the diploma program currently under development) and the possibility of teaching at the graduate level.
The work to be developed in CMM-Data requires, to a large extent,  the ability to work independently. Therefore, it is expected that the researcher will bring or explore work topics of his/her own interest, particularly in technology transfer projects, which complement those already developed in the Center.

**4) Requirements**

The candidate must hold a PhD degree in a discipline relevant to Data Science (including Mathematics, Statistics, Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Signal Processing, and other related areas).
The candidate must demonstrate a track record in which he/she has been able to work, either independently or within a team, on topics involving:
Research, technology transfer or business development projects in a research center or higher education institution.
Publications in areas related to Data Science, either in applied or theoretical-conceptual terms.
Application or development of projects in competitive funds, public and private funds.
In addition, the candidate is expected to have the following competencies:
Proficiency in scientific English, both written and spoken (indispensable).
High knowledge of data analysis tools, e.g., machine learning, natural language processing and/or scientific computing (indispensable).
Ability to synthesize, visually communicate project results and prepare technical and financial reports for different entities and audiences.
Strong ability to understand, interpret and communicate data analysis results.
Excellent communication skills, critical and reflective thinking skills.
Ability to work under pressure and to work meeting established deadlines.
Desirable:
Knowledgeable and proficient in agile methodologies.
Experience in leading and developing teams of professionals or researchers.
Experience in the formulation of applications to funding projects for technology transfer (such as CORFO or ANID).
Experience working with public funding institutions for academic or technological research, as well as with industry-funded research projects.

**5) Application materials**

Required materials:
 - Curriculum vitae, including a list of publications and/or applied projects, and highlighting up to three of them which the applicant considers most relevant to this position
 - Cover letter including description of main interests
 - Name and email address of two or three references
 - Reception of applications: Application materials should be sent via email to data-jobs at cmm.uchile.cl.

*Salary:*  $3,000,000 (CLP) gross per month
**Application deadline: December 15, 2022**