Position Description

The Institute for Data, Econometrics, Algorithms, and Learning (IDEAL) invites applications for three postdoctoral positions with anticipated start dates in Fall 2026. IDEAL is an NSF-funded interdisciplinary institute organized by the University of Illinois Chicago, Northwestern University, Toyota Technological Institute at Chicago, the University of Chicago, the Illinois Institute of Technology, and Loyola University Chicago, in partnership with members of the Learning Theory team at Google. More information about IDEAL can be found here: https://www.ideal-institute.org/ .

The positions will be hosted by Northwestern, TTIC, and UIC. Postdoctoral researchers will conduct research on key aspects of the foundations of data science. This field includes relevant areas of Theoretical Computer Science, Machine Learning, Electrical Engineering, Mathematics, Statistics, Operations Research, and Econometrics. The initial appointment is for one year, but may be extended for an additional year subject to funding availability and performance.

Applications received by December 31, 2025, will receive full consideration; however, the positions will remain open until filled. Applications will be considered for all positions by default. If you are interested only in a position at specific host universities, please indicate that in your cover letter.

Applicants should submit:

• Cover letter
• Curriculum vitae (CV)
• Research statement
• Names and contact information of at least three references

Salary
The target annual salary for the position is $75,000.

Benefits
Information about benefits provided by the hiring universities can be found here:

• Northwestern: https://hr.northwestern.edu/benefits/explore-benefits.html
• TTIC: See the Benefits section here: https://www.ttic.edu/faculty-hiring/
• UIC: https://www.hr.uillinois.edu/UserFiles/Servers/Server_4208/File/Benefits/Benefits_HighlightsBrochure.pdf