Position Summary
We invite applications from suitably qualified Post-Doctoral Researchers to work in the area of scheduling and combinatorial optimization. The position will suit a newly qualified Post-Doctoral Researcher. The successful candidate will work under the supervision of Dr Michele Garraffa, who is a Senior Research Co-ordinator in the School of Computer Science & Information Technology, University College Cork, Ireland, and Dr Cemalettin Ozturk, who is a Lecturer of Logistics & Supply Chain in Munster Technological University, Cork, Ireland.
The Post-Doctoral Researcher will work on developing models and algorithms for energy-efficient manufacturing scheduling problems in the area of combinatorial optimization. The duration of the position is 12 months and it is conceived as a seedling project to develop basic research in the area of energy-efficient scheduling and combinatorial optimization. The initial research project will regard how energy-aspects are impacting on the solution of state-of-the-art scheduling problems. These aspects may include constraints on the maximum power, time-dependent tariffs, use of renewable-energy resources, etc. The project will also include a collaboration with Politecnico di Torino and will provide support for travel to international conferences.
The ideal applicant holds a PhD in Operations Research and has experience in solving real world combinatorial optimization problems. He/She has a good track record in relevant conferences and journals and has a good knowledge of at least two of the following research areas: Mixed Integer Linear Programming, Constraint Programming, hybrid heuristics, metaheuristics, decomposition methods (Dantzig-Wolfe, Benders), Machine Learning for optimization, discrete event simulation.
The Insight SFI Research Centre for Data Analytics (http://www.insight-centre.org) is an SFI funded Research Centre that brings together researchers from University College Dublin, NUI Galway, University College Cork, and Dublin City University, as well as other partner institutions, Trinity College Dublin (TCD), University of Limerick (UL), Maynooth University (MU) and Tyndall National Institute. It creates a critical mass of more than 400 researchers from Ireland’s leading ICT clusters to carry out research on a new generation of data analytics technologies in a number of key application domain areas, such as Health and Human Performance, Smart Communities, Internet of Things, Enterprise and Services and Sustainability and Operations.
IUA Salary Scale: €39,130 – €46,442
Post Duration: 12 months
Key Duties and Responsibilities:
This title will apply to newly qualified Post-Doctoral Researchers and will be considered as a period of training as the researcher will have dual goals in terms of the research project area and their own career development. The researcher will be mentored by a Principal Investigator (PI). It is expected that a researcher would spend not more than 3 years at the Post Doctoral level, subject to the term of the project and would then be eligible to compete for a Senior Post Doctoral post advertised by the University.
The primary focus of the Postdoctoral Researcher will be research on one or more relevant research projects within our research programme areas, however a particular emphasis during this stage should include:
• To conduct a specified programme of research under the supervision and direction of a Principal Investigator/Project Leader.
• To engage in appropriate training and professional development opportunities which are provided regularly by the HR Training and Development dept and as required by the Principal Investigator, School or College in order to develop research skills and competencies.
• To gain experience in grant writing, H2020, SFI, EI and other exchequer and non-exchequer sources.
• To engage in the dissemination of the results of the research in which they are engaged, as directed by, with the support of and under the supervision of a Principal Investigator.
• To become familiar with the publication process and guidelines around publishing rights and open access (OA) where applicable.
• To acquire generic and transferable skills (including project management, business skills and postgraduate mentoring/supervision).
• To engage in the wider research and scholarly activities of the research group/Centre, School or College as needed and contribute and engage in projects that align to your skill set and knowledge transfer skills.
• To interact closely with postgraduate research students who are studying for a Masters or a PhD and possibly have an agreed role in supporting these students in their day to day research in conjunction with an academic supervisor.
• To provide academic outputs results to Centre admin reps for reporting requirements to Centre Operations Staff, SFI, H2020 or other funder requirements. To use selected platforms as needed for collection and collation of associated metrics.
• To travel internationally if required by project needs.
• To work with industry partners and academic collaborators where needed.
• To be responsible and competent in related research data management and data protection policies and protocols.
• Engage in and/or create opportunities in the area of Education and Public Engagement where applicable and appropriate for your project and report outputs as required.
• To carry out administrative work to support the programme of research.
• To carry out additional duties as may reasonably be required within the general scope and level of the post.
• To contribute to costing research grant proposals and assist in the financial management of a research project.
CRITERIA:
A PhD qualification in area of computer science, operations research, constraint programming, combinatorial optimisation, mathematics or a closely related area.
• Appropriate research experience in operations research, constraint programming, and combinatorial optimisation and good knowledge of at least two of the following research areas Mixed Integer Linear Programming, Constraint Programming, hybrid heuristics, metaheuristics, decomposition methods (Dantzig-Wolfe, Benders), Machine Learning for optimization, discrete event simulation.
• Appropriate technical competence and accomplishment.
• A capability of working within a project team to achieve results.
• Good communication, organisation and interpersonal skills.
• A commitment to gaining practical experience working on a research project/s.
• Ability to work well within a large diverse team.
• Please note that Garda vetting and international police clearance check may form part of the selection process and may be required after selection and during your term if relevant.
For an information package including full details of the post, selection criteria and application process see https://ore.ucc.ie/.
Informal enquiries can be made in confidence to Dr Michele Garraffa, Senior Research Co-ordinator, Tel: + 353 (0) 21 4205377; Email: michele.garraffa@ucc.ie
Applications must be submitted online via the University College Cork vacancy portal (https://ore.ucc.ie/). Queries relating to the online application process should be referred to recruitment@ucc.ie, quoting the job-title.
Candidates should apply, in confidence, before 12 noon (Irish Local Time) on Thursday, March 31st, 2022.
