Postdoc Scholar in Computer Science & Engineering -Embodied Autonomy

Position overview

Position title : Postdoc Employee

Salary range : $69,073-$82,836

Anticipated start : Jan 15, 2026

Review timeline :

Applications will continue to be accepted until Dec 5, 2025, but those received after the review date will only be considered if the position has not yet been filled.

Application Window

Open date : November 21, 2025

Most recent review date : Friday, Dec 5, 2025 at 11 : 59pm (Pacific Time)

Applications received after this date will be reviewed by the search committee if the position has not yet been filled.

Final date : Tuesday, Jun 30, 2026 at 11 : 59pm (Pacific Time)

Applications will continue to be accepted until this date, but those received after the review date will only be considered if the position has not yet been filled.

Position description

The Department of Computer Science and Engineering at the University of California, Riverside invites applications for a full-time Postdoctoral Scholar position in the area of embodied agents across virtual and physical environments. This position focuses on research at the intersection of computer graphics, generative AI, and robotics, encompassing topics such as generative modeling, reinforcement learning, multi-agent simulation, and intelligent control. The successful candidate will engage in research aimed at developing agents-whether virtual humans in simulated environments or physical robots-that make context-aware decisions grounded in their own beliefs, goals, and perceptual understanding.

This is an open research area position, and the department welcomes applicants from all areas of Computer Science & Engineering who demonstrate strong potential for impactful research and interdisciplinary collaboration. The initial appointment will be for two years, with the possibility of renewal based on performance and availability of funding. Salary will range from $69,073 to $82,836 annually, commensurate with qualifications and experience, in accordance with University of California guidelines (see : https : / / graduate.ucr.edu / postdoctoral-studies )

See Postdoctoral Scholar Salary Scale, Table 23 - https : / / www.ucop.edu / academic-personnel-programs / _files / 2025-26 / represented-oct-2025-scales / t23.pdf.

Applicants must hold a Ph.D. in Computer Science or a closely related field by the time of appointment. Successful candidates will have a strong research record and experience relevant to their area of specialization. Preferred qualifications include demonstrated excellence in graphics, robotics, or AI, as well as experience mentoring students and / or contributing effectively in collaborative research environments.

To apply, candidates should submit a cover letter (which must include their area(s) of research specialization), a curriculum vitae (CV), and optionally, three letters of reference. Applications must be submitted through AP Recruit at https : / / aprecruit.ucr.edu / JPF02190. Full consideration will be given to applications received by December 5, 2025, though the position will remain open until filled. Anticipated start date will be Jan 15, 2026. Selected applicants will be invited to interview via Zoom.

For more information about the Department of Computer Science & Engineering, please visit https : / / engr.ucr.edu Additional details regarding postdoctoral studies at UC Riverside can be found at https : / / graduate.ucr.edu / postdoctoral-studies.

Qualifications

Basic qualifications (required at time of application)

Applicants must hold a Ph.D. in Computer Science & Engineering or a closely related field by the time of appointment

Preferred qualifications

Demonstrates excellence in graphics, robotics, or AI, as well as experience mentoring students and / or contributing effectively in collaborative research environments.

Proven research excellence through prior publications in top-tier peer-reviewed venues in computer graphics, robotics, and AI, such as SIGGRAPH, Eurographics, IEEE TVCG, Computer Graphics Forum, RSS, ICRA, CVPR, NeurIPS, and ICML.

Research experience in reinforcement learning, especially in the context of embodied agents, crowd simulation, or decision-making under uncertainty.

Experience with simulation engines, such as Unity and Isaac Sim.

The University of California, Riverside is a world-class research university with an exceptionally diverse undergraduate student body. UCR is a member institution of the American Association of Universities (AAU) as well as the Alliance of Hispanic Serving Research Universities (HSRU). A commitment to the UCR mission (https : / / apro.ucr.edu / mission-statement) is a preferred qualification.

Application Requirements

Document requirements

Curriculum Vitae - Your most recently updated C.V.

Cover Letter

Sample of Publications (Optional)

Letters of Recommendation (Optional)

Reference requirements

References are optional. If you are providing reference letters, please combine and upload all reference letters

and include them in the Letters of Reference.

Apply link :

https : / / aprecruit.ucr.edu / JPF02190

Help contact : mhardcas@ucr.edu

About UC Riverside

The University of California, Riverside is a world-class research university with an exceptionally diverse undergraduate student body. UCR is a member institution of the American Association of Universities (AAU) and the Alliance of Hispanic Serving Research Universities (HSRU). A commitment to the UCR mission (https : / / apro.ucr.edu / mission-statement) is a preferred qualification.

We seek to hire scholars who will both advance our research directions and effectively educate our undergraduate and graduate students, while also engaging with University and Professional service activities. Research and teaching statements that are included with application materials are opportunities for candidates to share knowledge, experience, and goals that support the mission of UCR. For more information on UC's criteria for successful faculty, refer to the Academic Personnel Manual (APM) 210 - Criteria for Appointment, Promotion, and Appraisal (https : / / www.ucop.edu / academic-personnel-programs / _files / apm / apm-210.pdf).

The University of California is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status, or other protected categories under state or federal law. It is the policy of the University of California to undertake affirmative action and anti-discrimination efforts, consistent with its obligations as a Federal and State contractor.

As a University employee, you will be required to comply with all applicable University policies and / or collective bargaining agreements, as may be amended from time to time. Federal, State, or local government directives may impose additional requirements.

As a condition of employment, the finalist will be required to disclose if they are subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct.

"Misconduct" means any violation of the policies or laws governing conduct at the applicant's previous place of employment, including, but not limited to, violations of policies or laws prohibiting sexual harassment, sexual assault, or other forms of harassment or discrimination, as defined by the employer. A Misconduct Disclosure Survey will be completed through Truescreen, which is the vendor that administers this process for the campus.

For the University of California's Violence and Sexual Harassment Policy please visit :

https : / / policy.ucop.edu / doc / 4000385 / SVSH.

For the University of California's Anti-Discrimination Policy for Employees, Students, and Third Parties, please visit : https : / / policy.ucop.edu / doc / 1001004 / Anti-Discrimination.

For the University of California's Affirmative Action and Nondiscrimination in Employment Policy, please visit : https : / / www.ucop.edu / academic-personnel-programs / _files / apm / apm-035.pdf.

Job location

Riverside, CA