PhD Research Assistantship in Multi-Agent Systems & Optimization | University of South Florida (USF)

Position Summary The Department of Industrial and Management Systems Engineering at the University of South Florida (USF) is seeking motivated PhD students to join Assistant Professor Sarper Aydın’s research group starting in Fall 2027. In this prestigious academic research assistantship, you will spearhead cutting-edge theoretical and computational investigations into multi-agent systems, game theory, optimization, reinforcement learning, and networked autonomous systems. You will work closely with faculty advisors, fellow graduate researchers, and interdisciplinary engineering teams to develop novel mathematical methods for learning, optimization, and decision-making. Ideal candidates bring a strong mathematical background, exceptional analytical capabilities, and a dedicated passion for advancing autonomous and intelligent systems. Detailed Job Description As a PhD Research Assistant in the Department of Industrial and Management Systems Engineering at the University of South Florida (USF), you will take full ownership of conducting high-impact academic research, publishing in premier scholarly journals, and developing advanced computational algorithms. Your day-to-day responsibilities encompass formulating mathematical models for multi-agent coordination, designing reinforcement learning and game-theoretic frameworks, and implementing optimization algorithms for networked autonomous systems. You will analyze complex simulation datasets, collaborate on grant proposals, present research findings at international conferences, and mentor undergraduate researchers. Working in a collaborative academic environment, you will advance state-of-the-art decision-making methodologies while progressing toward your doctoral degree. Key Responsibilities Conduct advanced theoretical and computational research in multi-agent systems, game theory, and optimization. Develop novel algorithms and methodologies for reinforcement learning and decision-making in networked autonomous systems. Formulate mathematical models, run large-scale simulations, and analyze complex experimental datasets. Author high-impact research papers for publication in peer-reviewed journals and top-tier academic conferences. Present research findings, progress reports, and technical summaries to faculty advisors and funding agencies. Collaborate with cross-functional graduate research teams, laboratory peers, and departmental faculty. Assist with teaching, mentoring undergraduate students, and participating in departmental academic seminars. Maintain rigorous research documentation, reproducible code repositories, and laboratory data standards. Progress successfully toward doctoral milestone requirements, qualifying exams, and dissertation defense. Required Qualifications & Skills Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Industrial Engineering, Systems Engineering, Computer Science, Applied Mathematics, or a related field. Strong academic background with exceptional proficiency in advanced mathematics, linear algebra, and probability theory. Demonstrated interest and foundational knowledge in multi-agent systems, optimization, game theory, or machine learning. Proven programming proficiency in Python, MATLAB, C++, or similar computational research languages. Strong analytical, mathematical modeling, and complex problem-solving capabilities. Excellent technical writing and verbal communication skills for academic publishing and presentations. Professional availability to enroll and commence doctoral studies at the University of South Florida starting in Fall 2027. Submission of competitive academic transcripts, CV, statement of research interests, and English proficiency test scores (TOEFL/IELTS and GRE if applicable). Nice-to-Have Skills Prior research publication record in conferences such as IEEE CDC, ACC, NeurIPS, ICML, or INFORMS. Advanced coursework or project experience in reinforcement learning, optimal control, and distributed optimization. Familiarity with robotics operating systems (ROS), network simulation tools, or high-performance computing clusters. Participation in undergraduate research honors theses, fellowships, or competitive engineering competitions. Strong letters of recommendation from academic faculty highlighting mathematical and research aptitude. Application Information Recruiter: USF Department of Industrial and Management Systems Engineering Admissions Contact Name: Dr. Sarper Aydın (Assistant Professor) Email: View email address on click.appcast.io Phone: Unspecified Application URL: Unspecified Salary/Rate: Graduate research assistantship stipend, tuition waiver, and benefits package provided Deadline: Fall 2027 intake (Early inquiry recommended) Notice Period: Admission cycle dependent (Start: Fall 2027) Contract Duration: Full-Time Doctoral Research Assistantship Recruitment Pro Tip When applying for competitive PhD research assistantships in multi-agent systems, ensure your initial email to the faculty member explicitly connects your academic background in mathematics and optimization to their specific research focus areas. #J-18808-Ljbffr University of South Florida (USF)