Post Doctoral Fellow

Department: Mechanical Engineering Salary: Commensurate with Experience/Education

Description:

Possesses, understands, and applies a comprehensive knowledge in area of specialization. Develops understanding and skills to allow for completion of assignments that cross fields of specialization. Develops leadership and management skills.
1. Receives/Reviews progress and evaluates results of experiments or projects under control or supervisory responsibility.
2. Recommends changes in research, testing or experimental procedures.
3. May be responsible for a single highly technical and complex piece of research equipment.
4. May review and evaluate the effectiveness of personnel.
5. May plan for and assign personnel to projects under control.
6. Operates with latitude for unreviewed action.
7. May receive general supervision conferring with higher levels only in unusual situations.
8. Performs other job-related duties as required.
The research group (Multiphase Transport Laboratory, MTL) of Prof. Ben Xu in the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering at University of Houston (UH) is seeking a Postdoctoral Fellow. The expected starting date is no later than September 2025, and the initial appointment is for 1 year. The position may be renewed annually at the discretion of UH, based on satisfactory performance, funding availability, and programmatic need.
We are seeking a highly motivated and skilled postdoctoral researcher to join our team in studying laser-induced plasma dynamics in hydrogels through molecular dynamics (MD) simulation. The candidate will contribute to advancing our understanding of laser-hydrogel interactions, focusing on plasma formation and bubble generation at the nanoscale. Key job responsibilities are listed as follows:
• Develop and implement MD models to simulate laser-induced plasma generation in hydrogels.
• Investigate plasma formation, energy transfer, and subsequent hydrodynamic effects (e.g., cavitation, jetting) at sub-nanometer scales and ultrafast timescales.
• Design and conduct laser-based experiments to validate MD models.
• A candidate with experience in using MD for material study and process control in metal additive manufacturing is a plus so that the candidate can contribute to other projects involving high-temperature alloy design and testing.
• Document and regularly present findings to the research team, present results at national/international meetings, and publish research in peer-reviewed journals;
• Perform other duties as assigned, including supervising graduate and undergraduate students in the lab.

QUALIFICATIONS
• Ph.D. in physics, materials science, mechanical engineering, manufacturing engineering, bioengineering, or a related field. All degree requirements must be completed before the commencement of the appointment.
• Demonstrated experience with molecular dynamics simulation, particularly in plasma physics, hydrogels, or related areas.
• Strong record of publications in peer-reviewed journals and presentations at scientific conferences
• Excellent oral and written communication skills in English.
• Proficiency in experimental techniques for laser-material interaction studies is highly desirable.
MQ: Requires singular knowledge of a specialized advanced professional discipline or the highest level of general business knowledge, normally acquired through attainment of a directly job-related terminal degree or equivalent formal training in a recognized field of specialization that is directly related to the type of work being performed. No experience is required.

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