Postdoc position at the interface of Control Theory and Statistical Physics

Applicants are sought for a two-year post-doc position with the Department of Mechanical Engineering (with an affiliation with the Center for Control, Dynamical Systems and Computation (CCDC: http:www.ccdc.ucsb.edu)) at the University of California at Santa Barbara.

The postdoctoral fellow will join in an exciting interdisciplinary effort exploring the interface between Distributed Control Theory and Statistical Physics. Recent research advances have shown that many-body phenomena such as phase transitions appear in the design and analysis of distributed control systems, with implications for the engineering of distributed networks as well as for the analysis of biological neural networks. The goal of this research effort is to advance this relatively new area of research.

This position requires a sound theoretical background, and the ability to carry out both analytical calculations and numerical simulations. The candidate should have experience with doing calculations in statistical field theory using approximate techniques (mean field theory, diagrammatic perturbation theory, renormalization group) in theoretical Condensed Matter Physics/Particle Physics or String Theory. Ideally, the candidate should also have some experience in Robust and Optimal Control theory and a strong interest in this interdisciplinary area.

The successful candidate will be located primarily at UCSB working with Prof. Bassam Bamieh in collaboration with Prof. Partha Mitra of the Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory.

The application by email (to bamieh@engr.ucsb.edu) should include the following documents (in a single PDF file):

• A complete curriculum vitae.

• A one-page summary of past research accomplishments and current research interests.

• A list with the names of at least 3 references.

• A selection of (no more than five) publications (published, accepted, or in-preparation).

The University of California is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, or any other characteristic protected by law including protected Veterans and individuals with disabilities.