Position Summary:
The Term Professional - Research Scientist will be part of Computer Science Vanderbilt University. Responsibilities will include conducting research in deformation modeling and scene reconstruction, assisting in data collection, programming/scripting for data analysis and data management, contributing to research studies and publications, and assisting with general laboratory operation.
NOTE: A Term position is a staff position that exists for a period longer than six months but is not expected to last beyond one year. Although a position may exist for a specified or indefinite period, staff who accept term positions are not guaranteed employment for the entire period; they are employed for indefinite periods within the limit of the appointment. There are no guarantees of continued employment, either within the term or when the term ends.
About the Work Unit:
Computer scientists are actively involved in developing breakthrough technologies from software for mobile devices to artificial intelligence and machine learning and from cybersecurity to smart healthcare systems that transform every aspect of our lives. The Computer Science department offers an accredited undergraduate degree in computer science. At the graduate level, we offer M.S. and Ph.D. degree programs in computer science. Our undergraduate and graduate curricula are constantly refined to meet real-world demands and today's rapid changes in technology with a goal to provide students with the skills required for addressing the challenges of the 21 st century. Prevalent throughout the department is an interdisciplinary approach to teaching and research to enhance the exchange of ideas.
Key Functions and Expected Performance:
Be creative and able to work as part of a multi-disciplinary group with physicians and engineers
• Solid programming skills, proficiency in Python, and more specifically Pytorch
• Assist with the development and maintenance of discipline-specific software systems and/or engineering tools to support project and research goals
• Coordinate with research team to ensure project milestones are met
• Perform engineering and/or software design, implementation, analysis, maintenance, or experimentation as directed
• Deliver technical progress reports/presentations in written and/or oral form to project research staff and faculty
• Communicate regularly, effectively, and professionally with research team
• Data transfer and management – following an experiment, the position will transfer all data files to the lab computers, and make sure that the files are clearly organized and readily accessible by others in the lab
• Place orders for lab supplies when needed
• Data pre-processing and quality assurance – responsible for running computer programs for pre- processing the data and communicating with the PI and others in the lab about any potential data quality issues, to ensure that high-quality data is being collected for our studies
• Participate in research, and in preparation of manuscripts, proposals, and presentations. This may include preparation of figures and diagrams, data analysis, attending project meetings, assisting with background literature review, and assisting with programming/scripting tasks.
• Other tasks as assigned
Supervisory Relationships:
This position does not have supervisory responsibility; this position reports administratively and functionally to the Assistant Professor.
Education and Certifications:
• PhD degree in an engineering, computational, or basic science field is required by the start of the position
Experience and Skills:
• Excellent communication, organization, and inter-personal skills are strongly preferred
• Applicant should be reliable, honest, highly organized, and independent; should be detail- oriented and demonstrate problem-solving skills
• Experience with basic software development, modeling, and/or systems engineering
• Ability to design, implement, test, document, and maintain software
• Practical knowledge of software development tools and programming languages as needed by project
• Ability to understand complex systems and translate that understanding to physical, simulation, and analysis models
• Solid programming skills, proficiency in Python and Pytorch is strongly preferred
• Applicant should demonstrate responsiveness to feedback and challenges
• Experience with Unix/Linux is also preferred, to facilitate data management
• Responsiveness and clear, prompt communication is essential
General Characteristics of a Successful Vanderbilt University Staff Member:
ACCOUNTABILITY: Owns decisions, outcomes, work products, etc. that are within the scope of one’s role.
• Works through Issues – Recognizes that the work is about successful outcomes, if things aren’t going well, outcomes suffer; is willing to have crucial conversations if things aren’t going well; doesn’t just complain to management… does everything possible to remedy the situation directly first
• Reliable – Does what they say they will do, when they say they will do it; shows up for work when expected; doesn’t push the burden of work volume or deadlines to others
• Integrity – Holds oneself accountable; takes responsibility for failures as well as successes, recognizes that trust is required to hold a team together
• Acceptance of Feedback – Takes constructive criticism with grace, and makes improvements without taking it personally or holding grudges; when wrong, owns it – freely admits mistakes
COLLABORATION: Works inclusively to build trust and accomplish tasks, goals, and initiatives. Understands, anticipates, and appropriately responds to internal and/or external customers’ needs.
• Optimism – Is friendly, tirelessly cordial, polite, and genial; comes in to work with a good attitude and doesn’t bring their own personal “little black clouds” into the work environment
• Teamwork – Genuinely values teamwork and co-workers, makes them feel valuable and important by acknowledging what they do well; doesn’t expect from others effort that one is unwilling to do themselves, finds ways to acknowledge other’s strong suits
• Honest and Transparent – Doesn’t have hidden agendas, doesn’t play people against each other; is authentic and forthright
• Helpful Nature – Offers to help lighten the load for others in times of need; volunteers rather than waiting to be asked; understands that almost no one works in a silo and needs the help of others to do their job well; recognizes that by helping others first, others will likely reciprocate
COMMUNICATION: Provides information clearly and accurately in various settings, ensuring understanding and participation. Understands how best to present information to different audiences and understands how information may be perceived.
• Shares – Shares information. Communicates proactively. Transmits knowledge; recognizes that “knowledge is power” is less effective than “sharing knowledge is power.” Asks for advice, and considers it thoughtfully
• Is Nice – Asks caring, interested questions and is a good listener -- smiles and is grateful; sends appropriate notes of thanks to others who have helped; avoids gossip or saying negative things about co-workers; patient and generous; makes suggestions rather than stating hard and fast opinions. Avoids being negative, sarcastic, and cynical
• Praises Publicly; Criticizes Privately – When dealing with a difficult co-workers or customers, “pretend your children are watching” how the situation is handled; good manners help keep a cool head; gives credit where credit is due
• Responds Promptly – Recognizes that when emails and phone messages aren’t returned in a timely way, it sends the message that the other party is not important; responds even if just to acknowledge receipt and provide a timeframe by which the requester can expect a full response
DRIVE & GRIT: Is focused on professional excellence and strives to facilitate and support the same for colleagues in and outside their team, effectively manages through challenges and opportunities while seeking to understand and learn from professional experiences.
• Perspective – Maintains a sense of humor and perspective; can laugh first and foremost at oneself
• Raises the Bar – Expects and delivers excellence; is a creative problem solver; is proactive; welcomes input on making things better -- places a high value on learning and getting better
• Resilience – Is resilient in the face of daunting challenges and setbacks; bounces back readily.
• Adaptability – Reads cues and adapt accordingly; adjusts style and approach to accommodate the styles and needs of others; can anticipate and effectively de-escalate potential conflicts
ENGAGED: Appreciates the values and mission of the organization, works to contribute to the university, and understands how their work affects the university and university community.
• Eager – Enthusiastic, wanting to learn, wanting to continue one’s personal and professional development and expertise
• Hard-Working – Is industrious as well as efficient (busy isn’t the same as productive); can juggle multiple competing priorities simultaneously without becoming overwhelmed
• Believes – Believes in the work being done and in the importance of the organization’s mission
• Creative Thinking – Goes beyond the boundaries of the job description, willingly takes on new challenges, and finds creative solutions rather than always awaiting direct instructions
JUDGMENT & PROFESSIONAL ACUMEN: Makes appropriate decisions and evaluates risk and uncertainty to create ideal outcomes, exhibits an eye for the macro and the micro, and works to ensure others are able to do the same.
• Autonomous – Self-managing; self-motivated; manages time, activities and outcomes well so that progress stays on track; cleans up after themselves
• Maturity -- Exhibits professional maturity; doesn’t pass the buck to dodge accountability; doesn’t engage in petty office politics or inappropriate social conduct
• Detail-Oriented – Even small mistakes can create big issues; attention to detail work indicates care about the outcomes
• Assumes the Best – Assumes that others are working as hard as you are on things that are as important as what you are working on; just because you don’t know what someone does, it doesn’t mean they’re not doing anything
COMMITMENT TO CULTURE OF DIVERSITY & INCLUSION: Supports the university’s commitment to diversity and inclusion and demonstrates personal dedication through words and actions.
• Champions – Engages in and advocates for inclusive workplace relationships
• Culturally Self-Aware - Develops skills to recognize one’s own biases and to be sensitive to the perceptions of others. Models appropriate cultural behaviors with others
• Commitment - Collaborates on and contributes to organizational and community diversity and inclusion efforts as opportunities arise.