Multiple Postdoctoral Programs at the Israeli center of research excellence in Algorithms

We are seeking excellent candidates for three postdoctoral programs:

1. I-CORE in Algorithms postdoctoral program
2. I-CORE in Algorithms and the Simons Institute for the Theory of Computing in Berkeley – a joint postdoctoral program
3. Leonardo Fibonacci fellowships – a joint postdoctoral program of I-CORE Algo, CNR and ENEA

Details:
1. I-CORE in Algorithms postdoctoral program
We are seeking excellent candidates for postdoctoral positions at the I-CORE ALGO (Israeli center of research excellence in algorithms) institutes. The positions are supported by the Israeli Science Foundation (ISF). The Israeli Center of Research Excellence in Algorithms is part of the I-CORE program, initiated by the Government of Israel and adopted by Israel’s Council of Higher Education, in order to reinforce Israel’s intellectual capacities and promote synergy among Israel’s leading research centers. The institutes participating in the center are:
* The Blavatnik School of Computer Science, Tel Aviv University
* The Rachel and Selim Benin School of Computer Science and Engineering, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem,
* Faculty of Mathematics and Computer Science, Weizmann Institute of Science.
Topics of interest include (but are not limited to): all variety of algorithms (optimization, online, streaming, approximation, randomized, geometric and more), cryptography, security and privacy, algorithmic game theory, quantum computing, networking and distributed computing, databases, machine learning and computer vision.
To apply please send the following to icorealgo@cs.tau.ac.il (deadline: 15/12/14)
* A CV of the applicant including the list of publications.
* A short research statement.
* The preferable I-CORE ALGO fellow to work with (if already known) and institution in I-CORE ALGO. (There is a possibility of more than one fellow and/or institution.)

In addition, all applicants should ensure that their recommenders email their letters (as pdf files) to the email address above, with the subject line “: recommendation”. (It is the applicant’s responsibility to ensure that the letters are sent; the Institute will not solicit letters directly.)

The deadline is 15th December 2014, 24:00 (at GMT+1)

2. I-CORE in Algorithms and the Simons Institute for the Theory of Computing in Berkeley – a joint postdoctoral program
I-CORE Algo – Israeli Center of Research Excellence in algorithms, and the Simons Institute for the Theory of Computing are seeking excellent candidates for a joint postdoctoral program starting in the academic year 2015-2016.
The Israeli Center of Research Excellence in Algorithms is part of the I-CORE program, initiated by the Government of Israel and adopted by Israel’s Council of Higher Education, in order to reinforce Israel’s intellectual capacities and promote synergy among Israel’s leading research centers. The members of the center are some of Israel’s most exceptional computer scientists, from The Blavatnik School of Computer Science in Tel Aviv University, The Rachel and Selim Benin School of Computer Science and Engineering in The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, and the Faculty of Mathematics and Computer Science in Weizmann Institute of Science.

The Simons Institute for the Theory of Computing is an exciting new venue for collaborative research in theoretical computer science and related fields. The Institute is housed in a dedicated building on the UC Berkeley campus, and acts as a vibrant and welcoming environment for visiting researchers. In each academic semester the activities of the Institute are largely focused on specific research programs, each of which attracts thirty to forty participants ranging from senior scientists to graduate students. The Simons Institute for the Theory of Computing was created in 2012 through a ten-year grant from the Simons Foundation (more information can be found at: http://simons.berkeley.edu/fellows2015).

The joint postdoctoral position would start in Fall 2015. The joint post-doctoral fellow will first spend a semester (Fall 2015) at the Simons Institute, and then will continue at the I-Core in Algorithms for the remainder of the academic year. The topics of the research programs for Fall 2015 in the Simons Institute are Algorithmic Challenges in Genomics” and “Counting Complexity and Phase Transitions”.) The topics of research in I-CORE in Algorithms include (but are not limited to): all variety of algorithms (optimization, online, streaming, approximation, randomized, geometric and more), cryptography, security and privacy, algorithmic game theory, quantum computing, networking and distributed computing, databases, machine learning and computer vision. The research interests of potential candidates should match the research interests of both institutions.

Salaries and benefits are competitive and assistance with visas and housing will be provided. We particularly encourage applications from outstanding women and minority candidates. In addition, the I-CORE in Algorithms would provide some support to travel to and from Israel. In some circumstances, the fellowship maybe be awarded for more than one year, up to a maximum of two years.

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS
Each applicant should submit the following documents (as pdf files) in a single email to icorealgo@cs.tau.ac.il.
– cover letter, including current institution and employment status, (expected) date of PhD, and a statement indicating the Simons Institute program (or programs) in which you wish to participate, and why. For the I-CORE Algo please indicate which institute you would like to perform the research at (can be more than one);
– curriculum vitae, including full list of publications;
– research statement;
– names and email addresses of at least three recommenders.

In addition, all applicants should ensure that their recommenders email their letters (as pdf files) to the email address above, with the subject line “: recommendation”. (It is the applicant’s responsibility to ensure that the letters are sent; I-CORE will not solicit letters directly.)

The deadline for receipt of all application materials, including letters, is December 15, 2014.

3. Leonardo Fibonacci fellowships – a joint postdoctoral program of I-CORE Algo, CNR and ENEA
I-CORE Algo – the Israeli Center of Research Excellence in algorithms, CNR – the National Research Council of Italy and ENEA – the Italian National agency for new technologies, Energy and sustainable economic development are seeking excellent candidates for postdoctoral fellowships.

The joint program is supported by the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and one of its objectives is strengthening the bi-national cooperation in science and technology between Italy and Israel, under the auspices of the Italian-Israeli Agreement on Industrial, Scientific and Technological Cooperation. CNR and ENEA participate in the program to help open new paths towards excellence for young researchers, some of whom will eventually join the Italian research system.

The Leonardo Fibonacci fellowships are named after the Italian mathematician Leonardo Fibonacci, arguably the greatest European mathematician of the middle ages.

I-CORE Algo is part of the I-CORE program, initiated by the Government of Israel and adopted by Israel’s Council of Higher Education in order to reinforce Israel’s intellectual capacities and promote synergy among Israel’s leading research centers. The members of the center are some of Israel’s most exceptional computer scientists, from The Blavatnik School of Computer Science in Tel Aviv University, The Rachel and Selim Benin School of Computer Science and Engineering in The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, and the Faculty of Mathematics and Computer Science in Weizmann Institute of Science.

SELECTION PROCESS
Researches of any nationality can apply to the program, given that they obtained their PhD (Dottorato di Ricerca) from an institution in Italy no longer than 2 years before the date of the application, or will obtain it within 3 months after the application. EU nationals can apply independently of where they have obtained their degree, within the same temporal frame. Equal opportunity is a principle underlying the whole selection process.

Key criteria for the selection will be
1. the scientific potential of the candidates, as assessed by their academic record and thesis, by publications, if any, by previous research experience and by any previous awards and honors.
2. the expected benefits of the fellowship for the trainees, as indicated also by a short research statement (or tentative project) submitted with the application.

Reference letters are requested from at least three recommenders and will contribute to assess both criteria.
The Fellowships will be awarded initially for a period of up to twelve months, and they may be prolonged, after consideration, within the same program or other programs of the I-CORE center.
The Leonardo Fibonacci fellows will perform their postdoctoral research in one of the I-CORE in Algorithms institutions. Salaries and benefits are competitive and assistance with visas and housing will be provided.
The selection Committee (3 members, from the CNR, the I-CORE in Algorithms and the Embassy of Italy in Israel) will choose between applicants, on the basis of the above criteria.
The selected candidates will submit a brief activity report to the Committee every three months.

RESEARCH SCOPE
The topics of research in I-CORE in Algorithms include (but are not limited to): all variety of algorithms (optimization, online, streaming, approximation, randomized, geometric and more), cryptography, security and privacy, algorithmic game theory, quantum computing, networking and distributed computing, databases, machine learning and computer vision.
The selected candidates will be able to choose which of the center members will be their advisor.

APPLICATION PROCEDURE
To apply, please send the attached form (as .pdf) by e-mail to both icorealgo@cs.tau.ac.il and lucilla.alagna@esteri.it

In addition, applicants should ensure that their recommenders email their letters (as pdf files) to the email addresses above, with the subject line “: recommendation”. (It is the applicant’s responsibility to ensure that the letters are sent; letters will not be solicited directly.)
The deadline is 15th December 2014, 24:00 (at GMT+1)