PostDoctoral Associate

Post Doctoral Associate

Department of Computer Science

College of Engineering & Applied Science

Elevate Your Career at UCCS: Innovate, Inspire, and Impact in the Rockies!

Who We Are

The University of Colorado Colorado Springs (UCCS) is a premier educational institution that prides itself on academic excellence, research, and community engagement and is actively seeking a Post Doctoral Associate to join our team! UCCS is committed to academic excellence, professional development, and fostering an environment that supports innovation and student success.

The Department of Computer Science at the University of Colorado Colorado Springs invites applications for a Postdoctoral Associate position in the area of Algorithms and Equilibrium in Network Games.

Salary Range: $ 63,000 - $ 69,000 annually. Compensation will be commensurate upon experience and qualifications. This position is Exempt from the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) overtime provisions.

Work Location: On-Site

Benefits at a Glance

At UCCS, our employees are our most valued asset. We're proud to offer:

• Generous Time Off : Enjoy 22 vacation days, 10 sick days, paid parental leave, 13 recognized holidays, and provisions for bereavement, jury duty, and FAMLI Leave.
• Robust Health Coverage : Our comprehensive medical plans cover preventative care at no cost, including a yearly mental health visit. Plus, benefit from affordable dental, vision plans, and competitive prescription drug prices.
• Financial & Retirement Benefits : Take advantage of our health savings, flexible spending accounts, and life and disability insurance. Plan for your future with our retirement options.
• Further Your Education : Avail twelve (12) waived credits per academic year for courses at any CU campus. We invest in your educational and professional growth.
• Wellness & More : From wellness programs aimed at achieving your best self to various additional benefits through CU Advantage, we prioritize well-being and holistic development.
• Want to know your total compensation? Use our calculator to get the complete picture!

Summary

This position will support the mission of the Decision Science and Control Lab by conducting research on game-theoretic and algorithmic methods for multiagent optimization problems. The Postdoctoral Associate will develop graph-theoretic analytics, design robust algorithms for communication and observation breakdowns, analyze adversarial settings, and develop beyond-worst-case methods for assessing game-theoretic solutions. The position will work closely with the Principal Investigator, research collaborators, and students involved in the project.

Essential Functions

The duties and responsibilities of the position include, but are not limited to:

(45%) Research Design, Analysis, and Execution

• Develop graph-theoretic analytics to characterize how connectivity among agents influences emergent performance in multiagent optimization problems.
• Design algorithms to robustly mitigate the harm caused by unplanned communication or observation breakdown among agents in multiagent optimization problems.
• Situate multiagent optimization problems in adversarial contexts to identify strategic weaknesses and evaluate system vulnerabilities.
• Apply game theory, algorithm design, control theory, and multiagent systems methods to advance the research objectives of the Decision Science and Control Lab.
• Exercise independent judgment, creativity, and analytical reasoning to navigate unfamiliar problem spaces and develop technically rigorous solutions.

(25%) Game-Theoretic Modeling and Algorithm Development

• Develop novel beyond-worst-case approaches for assessing the effectiveness of game-theoretic solutions.
• Analyze strategic interactions among agents in networked systems and evaluate how utility design, equilibrium behavior, and network structure affect system outcomes.
• Interpret research results and use findings to inform algorithmic design, theoretical analysis, and future research directions.

(15%) Scholarly Communication and Dissemination

• Prepare manuscripts, technical reports, presentations, and other research outputs for academic and professional audiences.
• Communicate research findings clearly through written and oral presentations.
• Contribute to publication efforts in relevant venues in computer science, game theory, control theory, algorithms, and related fields.
• Engage with collaborators and research stakeholders to share progress, incorporate feedback, and advance project goals.

(10%) Collaboration and Student Mentoring

• Collaborate with the Principal Investigator, students, and other research team members on project planning, technical development, and research execution.
• Provide ad hoc research mentoring to students involved in the project, including guidance on problem formulation, technical methods, writing, and presentation preparation.

(5%) Project Support

• Track research progress, organize project materials, and support documentation of research activities and deliverables.
• Participate in project meetings and contribute to planning discussions related to research milestones and outputs.
• Perform other duties as assigned in support of the research project and the mission of the Decision Science and Control Lab.

This position is dependent on the availability of external grant funding. Funding is currently expected to last at least one year.

Tentative Search Timeline

• Priority will be given to applications submitted by: July 29, 2026.
• Potential interview dates: week of August 3, 2026.
• Potential start date: September 2026.

CU is an Equal Opportunity Employer and complies with all applicable federal, state, and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment. We are committed to creating a workplace where all individuals are treated with respect and dignity, and we encourage individuals from all backgrounds to apply, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.

In accordance with the Equal Pay for Equal Work Act, UCCS does not discriminate based on sex in our employment or compensation practices.

Qualifications :

To be considered for this role, you must possess the following:

• A PhD in Computer Science or a closely related field, with a focus on game theory.
• Research experience and a publication record in game theory, control theory, algorithms, multiagent systems, or closely related areas.
• Demonstrated knowledge of modern game-theoretic utility design techniques.

The following qualifications are highly desirable:

• Experience mentoring students or supporting student research.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to communicate technical research findings clearly to academic and professional audiences.

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each of the established essential functions and meet the physical and environment demands described satisfactorily. The requirements listed are representative of the knowledge, skill, ability, physical and environmental conditions required of the employee on the job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions, physical and environmental demands.