Several full time Research Assistantships positions available in the LinKaGe Lab:
http://linkage.cs.umass.edu/

Position  Description:
1. Computational Geometry and Geometric Algorithms: the project involves developing new mathematics and algorithms for computational geometry problems involving folding and reconfiguration of structures with geometric constraints, such as robot arms, protein backbones, frameworks with periodicity and symmetry, polyhedral surfaces or origami. 

Experience Required for the Computational Geometry project:
- Current or new PhD students from UMass Computer Science or Mathematics departments.
- Strong interest and motivation to study algorithmic questions and their underlying mathematical theory. While no previous experience in computational geometry is required, it is expected that the necessary background will be acquired through independent studies.
- Mathematical maturity.
- Good programming skills: the project may involve development of experimental algorithms to test ideas and hypothesize plausible proof approaches. 

2. Computational Molecular Biology: the project involves developing new approaches for generating mechanically plausible motions of macromolecules, especially proteins, nucleic acids and crystalline matter. This project builds upon some methods already implemented in the KINARI project for protein rigidity analysis http://kinari.cs.umass.edu.

Experience Required for the Computational Biology project:
- Current or new PhD students from UMass Computer Science department, or recent PhD (for the post-doc position).
- Interest in interdisciplinary research in computational biology and/or computational materials sciences. While no previous experience in computational biology is required, it is expected that the necessary background will be acquired through independent studies.
- Significant programming experience (C++, python, php, etc.), including excellent software engineering skills (developing, documenting, testing and profiling code): the project requires development of software tools that will be released as part of the KINARI project at http://kinari.cs.umass.edu.

* Additional Information:    

** The positions  are available immediately. Pending interest, performance and fund availability, they are yearly renewable. 

* Please email statement of interest along with summary of qualifications and relevant coursework/experience to Prof. Ileana Streinu, streinu@cs.umass.edu.

* Applications are accepted on an on-going base.