Research Associate in Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering

The Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering at the University of Virginia is seeking multiple Postdoctoral Researchers in the labs of Professors Daniel Quinn, Haibo Dong, and Hilary Bart-Smith.

Successful candidates will be part of an ongoing multi-university study focusing on the physics of schooling fish-inspired robots. The postdoc will work in a multidisciplinary environment, collaborating with researchers from various universities. They are expected to engage in learning and research activities while maintaining a congenial work environment. Research progress will be monitored through monthly meetings and reports, and must result in publications in peer-reviewed journals. Excellent communication skills in both written and spoken English are desired. If selected, the candidate would contribute to one or more of the following tasks:

• Design and develop bio-inspired underwater robotic vehicle prototypes

• Conduct Particle Image Velocimetry to record the wakes of fish-inspired robot schools

• Use in-house Computational Fluid Dynamics tools to test the dynamics of fish-inspired robot schools

• Develop machine-assisted algorithms for optimizing the performance of fish-inspired robot schools

QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS: a Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering or a related discipline is required by the start date. The expected start date is January 2025. Special consideration will be given to candidates with one or more of the following expertise areas: cyber-physical systems, bio-inspired vehicles, soft robotics, autonomous controls, design/operation of water channel testbeds.

APPLICATION PROCEDURE: Apply online at https://uva.wd1.myworkdayjobs.com/UVAJobs and attach a cover letter, the most recent CV with a description of relevant experience, publications, and contact information for three references.

Please note that multiple documents can be uploaded in the CV box.

APPLICATION DEADLINE: Review of applications will begin on August 26, 2024, but the positions will remain open until filled. The University will perform background checks on all new hires prior to employment.

This is a one-year appointment; however, the appointment may be renewed for an additional year, contingent upon available funding and satisfactory performance.

For questions regarding this position, please contact

• Daniel Quinn, Associate Professor, at dbq9d@virginia.edu ,

• Haibo Dong, Professor, at hd6q@virginia.edu , or

• Joe Zhu, Senior Scientist, at jz8n@virginia.edu

For questions about the application process, please contact Richard Haverstrom, Faculty Search Advisor, at rkh6j@Virginia.edu .

For more information on the benefits available to postdoctoral associates at UVA, visit postdoc.virginia.edu and hr.virginia.edu/benefits .

The University of Virginia, i ncluding the UVA Health System which represents the UVA Medical Center, Schools of Medicine and Nursing, UVA Physician's Group and the Claude Moore Health Sciences Library, are fundamentally committed to the diversity of our faculty and staff. We believe diversity is excellence expressing itself through every person's perspectives and lived experiences. We are equal opportunity and affirmative action employers. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, color, disability, gender identity or expression, marital status, national or ethnic origin, political affiliation, race, religion, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, veteran or military status, and family medical or genetic information.