Open Postdoctoral position, faculty mentor Ellen Vitercik

Aligning Machine Learning Models with Algorithmic Reasoning Tasks

We are seeking a postdoctoral researcher to contribute to our lab’s mission of aligning machine learning (ML) models with algorithmic reasoning tasks. Our goal is to enhance optimization algorithms, help practitioners select the most effective algorithms, and guide the discovery of entirely new algorithms.

Many of today’s most pressing challenges involve complex optimization problems—often NP-hard and extremely difficult to solve at scale. These problems arise in diverse, high-impact domains, including renewable energy management, healthcare resource allocation, and global supply chain logistics. While ML has the potential to transform both applied large-scale optimization and theoretical combinatorial optimization, algorithmic reasoning remains a significant challenge for artificial intelligence.

Our lab’s research is driven by the observation that, in practice, there is often a wealth of data specific to the application domain that can be leveraged to optimize algorithmic performance. For instance, the scheduling problems that an electric grid operator faces will change daily, but not drastically: although demand will vary, the network structure will remain largely stable. Thus, there is likely underlying structure linking the problems that arise within a given application domain. We aim to use ML to uncover and leverage this structure to optimize algorithmic performance.

Mentorship Structure

The postdoc will collaborate closely with the lab’s principal investigator Ellen Vitercik, PhD students, postdocs, and external collaborators on multiple research projects. They will have the opportunity to help shape the direction of these projects. Each project includes weekly research meetings, and the postdoc will also have regular one-on-one meetings with the PI. Additionally, the lab has weekly group meetings, reading groups, and regular social outings.

Stanford HAI is also committed to creating a diverse community of scholars who are engaged in contributing to the understanding and advancement of Human-Centered AI. Postdoctoral fellows will have the opportunity to engage with one another and with the broader Stanford HAI research community. They are also expected to participate in professional development, cohort-building, and other programmatic activities organized by HAI.

Evaluation Criteria

• Alignment between candidate’s research interests and the lab’s goals
• Publication record on related topics
• Demonstrated ability to conduct high-quality research, including theoretical and/or empirical contributions