Postdoctoral Fellow

Job Posting Title:

Postdoctoral Fellow

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Hiring Department:

Bureau of Economic Geology

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Position Open To:

All Applicants

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Weekly Scheduled Hours:

40

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FLSA Status:

Exempt

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Earliest Start Date:

Immediately

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Position Duration:

Expected to Continue Until Jun 16, 2025

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Location:

PICKLE RESEARCH CAMPUS

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Job Details:

General Notes

This position is located at the J.J. Pickle Research Campus in North Austin.

Purpose

The purpose of this position is to grow the ongoing research and development (R&D on metamaterials and/or microsensors within the AEC portfolio).  Assist PI with writing research grant proposals and administering awarded grants.

• The successful candidate will employ laboratory setups and numerical simulations to lead the designing, prototyping, and testing of advanced materials and sensing components for harsh conditions.
• Iterative R&D and optimization at component and system levels (including various materials characterization techniques)
• Work on rock mechanics characterizations
• Writing research grant proposals and administration of awarded grants.
• Write peer-reviewed papers and present them at meetings and conferences.

Responsibilities

• Research and development (R&D): Lead the research and development (R&D) of metamaterials and microsensing for various energy/environmental applications.   Iterative R&D and optimization at component and system levels, including design, simulation, prototyping, and testing (including various materials characterization techniques).  Work on rock mechanics characterizations using triaxial test apparatus.  Perform mechanical and fluid flow simulations with Abaqus, Ansys and/or COMSOL. 
• Grant Proposal Development:  Lead the development, writing, and submission of high-quality grant proposals.  Collaborate with research teams to understand project goals, methodologies, and outcomes. Identify and analyze funding opportunities from government agencies, foundations, and other organizations. Evaluate the feasibility and potential impact of proposed projects. Work closely with principal investigators, researchers, and other stakeholders to gather necessary proposal information.  Facilitate team communications and lead proposal development activities.  Provide regular updates and feedback to project teams and management.
• Technical Writing and Documentation:  Translate complex technical and scientific information into clear, compelling narratives.  Represent the AEC at meetings and workshops.  Manuscript development, presentation, publishing.

Required Qualifications

• Ph.D. in either mechanical engineering, materials science, electrical engineering, or equivalent engineering/science field with expertise in iterative R&D and optimization utilizing design of experiments and numerical simulations. Must have been earned within three years of start date.
• The candidate will have a strong background in mechanical engineering, materials science and engineering, technology research and development (R&D), materials characterization, computer-aided design (CAD), finite element analysis (FEA), computational fluid dynamics (CFD), and additive manufacturing (AM). Programming skills, particularly in Python and MATLAB.
• Ability to write reports and papers in international journals.
• Proven capacity for innovative, creative scientific analysis.
• Ability to give presentations fluently to industrial affiliates and academic audiences.
• Proven publication, written, and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to work both independently and effectively in a group.
• Ability to work effectively with researchers from different disciplines, including engineers and scientists, in office, laboratory, and field environments.
• The degree must have been received within 3 years from the date of application.

Preferred Qualifications

• Familiarity with machine learning (ML) and artificial intelligence (AI).
• Understanding the complexity of field operations and laboratory experiments involving flow through porous rocks and specimens.
• Understanding geomechanics and fluid dynamics would be advantageous. 
• Experience with mechanical testing equipment is desired.
• An entrepreneurial spirit is a plus.

Salary Range

$70,000 + depending on qualifications

Working Conditions

• May work in all weather conditions
• May wor