[job] Postdoctoral Fellow Position at IRD France: AI for Sustainability

[laure berti]

Deep Reinforcement Learning for Exploring Coviability Pathways in Agroecology

HOSTING LAB: IRD ESPACE DEV (Montpellier, France)

DESCRIPTION: The successful candidate will work on Deep Reinforcement Learning algorithms with applications in agroecology.  The expected duration of the position is one year. In particular, the research will involve computational and RL models for understanding and making inferences and predictions about threats to biodiversity and social vulnerabilities so as to (1) propose strategies to explore the transitions and what-if scenarios to sustainable agroecological systems combining multisource spatio-temporal biodiversity, earth observation, and socio-economic data, and (2) provide explainations and recommendations of adaptive solutions to reach the coviability equilibrium at the local and regional scales. The research involves a rich variety of transdisciplinary research issues, such as theory of RL models, explainable AI, and  eco-informatics.

QUALIFICATIONS:
- PhD in a field related to AI/ML in particular deep reinforcement learning, and applied ML.
- A strong theoretical background in Machine Learning
- Programming skills including experiences using Python, Neural Network frameworks, e.g. pytorch
- Ability to present work in English clearly both written and orally
- Experiences with deep learning tools mandatory.

APPLICATION DETAILS:
Applicants should provide the following material via email to Laure Berti-Equille (laure...@ird.fr). Please use the subject line: “AI for Sustainability Postdoc Application”. Applications will be reviewed as they are received.
- A curriculum vitae
- A statement of research expertise and interests (one page)
- Up to 3 major publications
- Names and contact information of three references

- Dates of availability

- A personal website & github account where further details can be found.

INDICATIVE SALARY: Depending on experience:  2 793 Euros gross per month with social security benefits and coverage of scientific travel expenses.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
The postdoc will (a) carry out high quality research and publish the research results, (b) assist in research supervision and guidance of graduate and undergraduate students, (c) present research results to conferences and research partners, (d) participate in research proposal preparation.