Now Hiring: Postdoctoral Researcher with Wharton Healthcare Analytics

Wharton Healthcare Analytics is seeking to hire a postdoctoral researcher with a research focus on designing novel machine learning algorithms and translating them to healthcare settings. The postdoc will collaborate on projects of mutual interest with Hamsa Bastani, Associate Professor of Operations, Information and Decisions and Faculty Co-Lead, Wharton Healthcare Analytics Lab. These may include one or more projects we are launching in our verticals of interest, such as:

  1. Innovative trial designs: Design meta reinforcement learning algorithms for adaptive and personalized clinical trials that are provably effective over short time horizons. We are partnering with Penn CHIBE to deploy these trial designs for targeting a variety of behavioral health interventions.
  2. Improving treatment & care: Develop novel off-policy evaluation and optimization techniques that use high-dimensional statistics to identify promising interventions from noisy data. Potential applications include mitigating healthcare worker burnout, in collaboration with Marissa King and CHOP/Penn Medicine.
  3. Human-AI collaboration: Develop “user-aware” AI tools that can better embed into human workflows, while guaranteeing fairness and improving patient outcomes.

Successful applicants will help define the research and consequent publications. This includes taking a lead role in designing and analyzing novel algorithms, liaising with healthcare practitioners, as well as gathering and analyzing data. They will also have opportunities to continue to advance their own research agendas. Teaching is not required.

The ideal candidate will have the following qualifications:

  1. Strong mathematical background, including expertise in machine learning, probability, and statistics
  2. Ph.D. (or expected completion by Fall 2024) in computer science, operations research, economics, statistics, or related fields
  3. Prior experience working with data, familiarity with at least one programming environment (e.g., R, Python)

The salary will be between $60,000 and $75,000 depending on qualifications and years of experience. Benefits include health insurance, paid vacation, and sick leave.

How to apply:

Please e-mail the following to Jamie Powers, Operations and Education Coordinator:

  1. Current CV
  2. Cover letter
  3. Research statement
  4. One representative publication or working paper
  5. Contact information for two references

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis and should be submitted by January 31, 2024 to receive full consideration. The anticipated start date for this position is July 1, 2024.

The University of Pennsylvania values diversity and seeks talented students, faculty and staff from diverse backgrounds. The University of Pennsylvania is an equal opportunity, affirmative action employer. Women, minority candidates, veterans, and individuals with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply.