Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation Postdoctoral Research Associate - HeRo Lab
Posting Details
Position Details
Posting Number G/R32500P Working Title Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation Postdoctoral Research Associate - HeRo Lab Department Franklin-School of Computing About the University of Georgia
Chartered by the state of Georgia in 1785, the University of Georgia is the birthplace of public higher education in America and is the state’s flagship university (https://www.uga.edu/) . The proof is in our more than 240 years of academic and professional achievements and our continual commitment to higher education. UGA is currently ranked among the top 20 public universities in U.S. News & World Report. The University’s main campus is located in Athens, approximately 65 miles northeast of Atlanta, with extended campuses in Atlanta, Griffin, Gwinnett, and Tifton. UGA employs approximately 3,100 faculty and more than 7,700 full-time staff. The University’s enrollment exceeds 41,000 students including over 31,000 undergraduates and over 10,000 graduate and professional students. Academic programs reside in 19 schools and colleges, including our newly established School of Medicine.
About The College/Unit/Department
Franklin College of Arts and Sciences is the heart of the University of Georgia’s learning environment, advancing new knowledge, research, scholarship and creative output by faculty, students, and staff in more than 80-degree programs across 40+ units.
School Of Computing (SoC) At UGA
The SoC is a growing and congenial school of 46 faculty within the Franklin College of Arts and Sciences and the College of Engineering. The SoC has nearly1700 undergraduate students and 265 graduate students, and offers the B.S., M.S., and Ph.D. degrees in Computer Science, B.S. and M.S. degrees in Data Science, and a M.S. degree in Cybersecurity and Privacy. Our faculty cover a broad range of research interests, including Algorithms, Artificial Intelligence (broadly defined to also include Computer Vision and Robotics), Bioinformatics, Human Computer Interaction, Computer Security and Privacy, Computational Science, and Computer Systems (including parallel, distributed, embedded, real-time, and high-performance computing). Please see https://computing.uga.edu/ for more information about the SoC and the university.
The Heterogeneous Robotics Lab (HeRo Lab), hosted in the School of Computing at UGA, conducts fundamental and application-oriented research in heterogeneous multi-robot systems of varying functionalities and mobility capabilities. Specifically, the current research interconnects robotics, wireless networking, AI, swarm intelligence, and systems integration. Research challenges include GPS-denied, harsh environments with heterogeneous robot capabilities under limited communications, computation, and energy constraints.
College/Unit/Department website https://herolab.org/ Employment Type Employee Additional Schedule Information
• 40 hours/week, work times may vary as needed.
• Strict start date of 7/1/26.
Location of Vacancy Athens Area EOO Statement
• Funding for this appointment is supplied through a Fellowship from the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation for two years. After the first year, the incumbent will report any discoveries or advances that this fellowship has enabled in year 1 (due 7/1/2027), and the success of that report will determine the continuation of funding for the second year. Advertised Salary $65,000 Anticipated Start Date 07/01/2026 Posting Date 03/23/2026 Closing Date Open Until Filled Yes Special Instructions to Applicants
• NOTE: The funding for this position can only support candidates with no prior affiliation with UGA.
• To apply, please submit your application in this portal with your cover letter, research statement (max 2 pages), and your full CV (including list of publications). In the cover letter, please write in detail how your strengths and interests fit the qualifications for this position. Applications received by April 15, 2026 will be given full consideration. For questions/inquiries/notice of intents, please send an email to Dr. Parasuraman with the subject “Moore Postdoc: Inquiry.”
• Postdoctoral associates at UGA are benefits-eligible UGA employees (e.g., employee health insurance, retirement contributions, annual and sick leave).
The University of Georgia is an Equal Opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, color, disability, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex, or veteran status or other protected status. Persons needing accommodations or assistance with the accessibility of materials related to this search are encouraged to contact Central HR ( hrweb@uga.edu ).
USG Core Values Statement
The University System of Georgia is comprised of our 26 institutions of higher education and learning, as well as the System Office. Our USG Statement of Core Values are Integrity, Excellence, Accountability, and Respect. These values serve as the foundation for all that we do as an organization, and each USG community member is responsible for demonstrating and upholding these standards. More details on the USG Statement of Core Values and Code of Conduct are available in USG Board Policy 8.2.18.1.2 and can be found online at https://www.usg.edu/policymanual/section8/C224/#p8.2.18_personnel_conduct .
Additionally, USG supports Freedom of Expression as stated in Board Policy 6.5 Freedom of Expression and Academic Freedom found online at https://www.usg.edu/policymanual/section6/C2653 .
Duties/Responsibilities
Duties/Responsibilities
Design and conduct research projects in the lab, as tasked.
Percentage of time 70 Duties/Responsibilities
Writing research papers, reports, deliverables, software releases, and research proposals on potentially relevant topics.
Percentage of time 20 Duties/Responsibilities
Regular contributions to the functioning of the lab group, and, as needed, assistance with graduate and undergraduate student mentoring.
Percentage of time 10
Position Details
Position Information
Classification Title Post-Doctoral Associate AD FLSA Exempt UGA Job Code FTE 1.0 Minimum Qualifications Position Summary
The Heterogeneous Robotics Research Lab (HeRoLab) at the University of Georgia is accepting applications for a prestigious Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation Postdoctoral Fellow position focused on swarm robotics and AI for Science, with a start date of July 1, 2026, or soon after. The postdoc will work closely with Dr. Ramviyas Nattanmai Parasuraman in the School of Computing at the University of Georgia and will collaborate with Dr. Yohannes Abate in the Department of Physics at the University of Georgia.
The postdoctoral researcher will contribute to the lab’s ongoing research, especially on swarm intelligence, and will significantly aid collaborative work on the AI-driven analysis of the behaviors and characteristics of quantum materials and their intersection with swarm intelligence algorithms.
Relevant/Preferred Education, Experience, Licensure, Certification In Position
Applicants should have the following qualifications:
• Ph.D. degree in Computer Science, Engineering, Physics, or a related field.
• Excellent communication and analytical skills with strong mathematical reasoning.
• Evidence for an independent researcher and a good team player.
• Publications in top-tier journals and conferences relevant to robotics and AI for Science, such as ICRA, IROS, RSS, AAAI, IJCAI, etc. Publications in the Nature and Science group of journals will be a plus.
• Preference will be given to candidates with significant experimental work, including working with multiple robot platforms and simulation frameworks, as well as the collection and analysis of nanoscopic data and quantum-inspired computational modeling.
• Interest in mentoring junior researchers in the lab.
• Experience in swarm intelligence, robotics, and some interdisciplinary/collaborative work with other domains is anticipated.
• Applicants should be independently motivated and enthusiastic about research. Proficiency in the English language (written and verbal) and quantitative analytical skills is essential.
Knowledge, Skills, Abilities and/or Competencies
This project seeks a postdoctoral research fellow with knowledge in
robotics and swarm intelligence, machine learning, and experimental physics, as well as strong leadership and mentoring skills.
Physical Demands
Sit for long periods of time. Travel between research labs within the university.
Is this a Position of Trust? No Does this position have operation, access, or control of financial resources? No Does this position require a P-Card? No Is having a P-Card an essential function of this position? No Is driving a requirement of this position? No Does this position have direct interaction or care of children under the age of 18 or direct patient care? No Does this position have Security Access (e.g., public safety, IT security, personnel records, patient records, or access to chemicals and medications) No Background Investigation Policy
Offers of employment are contingent upon completion of a background investigation including, a criminal background check demonstrating your eligibility for employment with the University of Georgia; confirmation of the credentials and employment history reflected in your application materials (including reference checks) as they relate to the job-based requirements of the position applied for; and, if applicable, a satisfactory credit check. You may also be subject to a pre-employment drug test for positions with high-risk responsibilities, if applicable. Please visit the UGA Background Check website .
Contact Information
Recruitment Contact
Contact Details
For questions concerning this position or recruitment progression, please refer to the Recruitment Contact listed below.
Recruitment Contact Name Dr. Ramviyas Parasuraman Recruitment Contact Email ramviyas@uga.edu Recruitment Contact Phone N/A
Posting Specific Questions
Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).
Applicant Documents
Required Documents
• Resume/CV
• Cover Letter
• List of References with Contact Information
• Research Portfolio/Philosophy
Optional Documents
• Other Documents #1
Higher Education
Research, Analyst, and Information Technology
Internship