Postdoctoral Associate

1000scholars; United States; On-site; USD 60,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

Duke University in Durham, NC, invites applications for a Postdoctoral Appointee in Pratt School of Engineering. The role involves independent research under a faculty mentor, with responsibilities spanning laser instrumentation design, experiments, and computational modeling.

The candidate will develop and validate AI and machine learning models to advance robot‑assisted laser surgery, contributing to a multidisciplinary team across engineering and clinical fields.

Qualifications

• PhD in Engineering, Physics, Applied Mathematics or CS or related field.
• Ability to conduct independent research and publish results.
• Experience with laser instrumentation or related experimental work is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Design, integrate, and test laser instrumentation for experiments.
• Perform experimental and model simulations of laser‑induced bubble dynamics and temperature changes.
• Develop and validate AI/ML models for robot‑assisted laser surgery.

Skills

Independent research

Collaboration

Multidisciplinary team

Communication skills

Education

PhD in Engineering

PhD in Physics

PhD in Applied Mathematics

PhD in Computer Science

Job description

Duke University

Duke University was created in 1924 through an indenture of trust by James Buchanan Duke. Today, Duke is regarded as one of America’s leading research universities. Located in Durham, North Carolina, Duke is positioned in the heart of the Research Triangle, which is ranked annually as one of the best places in the country to work and live. Duke has more than 15,000 students who study and conduct research in its 10 undergraduate, graduate and professional schools. With about 40,000 employees, Duke is the third largest private employer in North Carolina, and it now has international programs in more than 150 countries.

Pratt School of Engineering

The Pratt School of Engineering at Duke University is one of the fastest rising, highly ranked engineering schools in the nation. The school consists of four departments with 130 tenure-track faculty members, 1250 undergraduate students, 1400 master’s students, and 600 PhD students. Housed within a university renowned for its programs in the liberal arts, medicine, business and law, Pratt prepares future engineering leaders to address complex challenges with solutions that take into account the complexities and nuances of implementing them. Pratt takes a whole-student approach to education, ensuring students are well supported throughout their journeys and graduate with the grit and determination required to persevere in their careers and their lives. Pratt is dedicated to the values of diversity, equitability, inclusivity and community in its pursuit of knowledge and service to society.

Occupational Summary

Conduct independent research activities under the guidance of a faculty mentor in preparation for a full-time academic or research career.

Work Performed

DEFINITION: The Postdoctoral Appointee holds a Ph.D. or equivalent doctorate (e.g. ScD, MD, DVM). Candidates with non-US degrees may be required to provide proof of degree equivalency.

• 1. A candidate may also be appointed to a postdoctoral position if the candidate has completed all the requirements for a degree, but the degree has not been formally conferred: in this case, the candidate may present evidence of completion of the degree requirements, together with a statement documenting the date on which the degree is to be conferred. If the degree is not conferred by this projected date, the postdoctoral appointment may be terminated.
• 2. Note for international candidates: Generally, immigration classifications (e.g., H-1B, J-1, etc.) require that the requisite degree be conferred before a petition can be filed or a visa document issued to sponsor the individual.

The term of the appointment is limited (see Section 5 of the Postdoc Policy for the length of the appointment).

The appointment involves substantially full‑time research or scholarship and may include teaching responsibilities.

The Postdoctoral Appointee functions under the supervision of a mentor or a department at Duke University.

The Postdoctoral Appointee is expected to publish the results of his or her research or scholarship during the period of the appointment.

EXPECTATION

• The conscientious discharge of research or scholarship responsibilities, which may include teaching responsibilities for Postdoctoral Associates
• Conformance to standards of responsible conduct in research
• Compliance with good scholarly and research practice
• Maintenance of a laboratory notebook and/or other comparable records of research activity, which remains the property of Duke University upon termination
• Adherence to University standards regarding the use of chemicals and the like
• Open and timely discussion with the mentor regarding all facets of the Postdoctoral Appointee's research activities. Postdoctoral Appointees are encouraged to consult the AAMC Compact Between Postdoctoral Appointees and Their Mentors for suggested guidelines for the Postdoctoral Appointee-mentor relationship
• Prompt disclosure to the mentor regarding the possession and desire to distribute materials, reagents, software, and copyrightable and potentially patentable discoveries derived from the Postdoctoral Appointee's research.
• Collegial conduct towards members of the research group and others as described in the Duke University School of Medicine Honor Code of Professional Conduct and other relevant conduct policies about other schools at Duke University.
• Compliance with all applicable University and departmental policies and procedures.

The postdoc candidate will be responsible for laser instrumentation design, integration, and testing, perform experimental and model simulations for laser-induced bubble dynamics, temperature change, and material damage assessment; develop and validate AI and machine learning models for robot-assisteds laser surgery.

Minimum Qualifications

The candidate should have a Ph.D. in Engineering, Physics, Applied Mathematics, Computer Science, or a related area.

Experience

0+ years of postgraduate experience.

Skills

The candidate must have excellent skills in conducting independent research and collaboration within a vibrant multidisciplinary team of mechanical and biomedical engineers, material scientists, computational modeling experts, and clinicians. Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, including formal writing skills are essential.

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This job description intends to provide a representative and level of the types of duties and responsibilities that will be required of positions given this title and shall not be construed as a declaration of the total of the specific duties and responsibilities of any particular position. Employees may be directed to perform job‑related tasks other than those specifically presented in this description.

Duke is an Affimative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer committed to providing employment opportunity without regard to an individual's age, color, disability, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, or veteran status.

Duke aspires to create a community built on collaboration, innovation, creativity, and belonging. Our collective success depends on the robust exchange of ideas—an exchange that is best when the rich diversity of our perspectives, backgrounds, and experiences flourishes. To achieve this exchange, it is essential that all members of the community feel secure and welcome, that the contributions of all individuals are respected, and that all voices are heard. All members of our community have a responsibility to uphold these values.

Essential Physical Job Functions

Certain jobs at Duke University and Duke University Health System may include essential job functions that require specific physical and/or mental abilities. Additional information and provision for requests for reasonable accommodation will be provided by each hiring department.

Duke University

is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to providing employment opportunity without regard to an individual's age, color, disability, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, ethnicity, race, religion, sex (including pregnancy and pregnancy related conditions), sexual orientation, or military status.

Duke University aspires to create a community built on collaboration, innovation, creativity, and belonging. Our collective success depends on the robust exchange of ideas—an exchange that is best when the rich diversity of our perspectives, backgrounds, and experiences flourishes. To achieve this exchange, it is essential that all members of the community feel secure and welcome, that the contributions of all individuals are respected, and that all voices are heard. All members of our community have a responsibility to uphold these values.