Postdoctoral Researcher - Dynamics, Controls, and Vibrations (DynaGence Lab)

Kennesaw State University; Kennesaw (GA); On-site; USD 52,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

Kennesaw State University invites applications for a Postdoctoral Researcher in the Dynamics, Controls, and Vibrations (DynaGence Lab). The successful candidate will design, test, and model advanced robotic and acoustic systems, supervise junior researchers, and contribute to federal proposals.

The role focuses on experimental and computational work, including machine learning for nonlinear dynamics, and requires a Ph.D. in a related field.

Qualifications

• Ph.D. or equivalent doctorate in a closely related field within six months of hire.
• Experience in acoustics, ultrasound, guided elastic waves, or vibration-based measurement.
• Experience with bio-inspired locomotion, soft or compliant robotics, or underwater/aerial vehicle testing.
• Familiarity with reservoir computing, nonlinear oscillator dynamics, or analog and neuromorphic computation.
• Experience with computer vision, high-speed imaging, or multi-camera motion tracking.
• Prior participation in federally funded research and contribution to proposal preparation.
• Teaching or formal mentoring experience comprises an academic career path.

Responsibilities

• Plans and executes experimental activities, data analyses, submission of reports or manuscripts to peer‑reviewed publications, and attendance/presentation of research findings.
• Develops and contributes to new ideas for research proposals and directions within the research group.
• Develops an Individual Development Plan (IDP) with faculty mentor.
• Generates revenue by securing grants and participates in departmental and institutional career development programs.
• Prepares project budget and ensures funded project operates within budget guidelines.
• Maintains official records and documents, and ensures compliance with institutional policies and federal, state and local regulations.
• Establishes working relationships and cooperative arrangements with internal and external partners.
• Engages in research and publication.

Skills

Dynamical systems

Vibration

System identification

Embedded control

MATLAB/Simulink

Python

Finite element

Prototype fabrication

Technical writing

Education

PhD or equivalent

Tools

ROS

Microcontrollers

3D printing

Job description

Postdoctoral Researcher - Dynamics, Controls, and Vibrations(DynaGence Lab)

Job ID: 304903
Location: Marietta, Georgia
Full/Part Time: Full Time
Regular/Temporary: Regular

About Us

Are you ready to transform lives throughacademic excellence, innovative research, strong communitypartnerships and economic opportunity? Kennesaw State University isone of the 50 largest public institutions in the country. Withgrowing enrollment and global reach, we continue to expand ourinstitutional influence and prominence beyond the state of Georgia.We offer more than 190 undergraduate, graduate, and doctoraldegrees to empower over 50,000 students to become thought leaders,lifelong learners, and informed global citizens. Ourentrepreneurial spirit, high-impact research, and Division Iathletics draw students from throughout the region and from morethan 100 countries across the globe. Our university's vibrantculture, career opportunities, rich benefits, and values of respect, integrity, collaboration, inclusivity, andaccountability make us an employer of choice. We are part of the University System of Georgia. Weare searching for talented people to join Kennesaw State Universityin our vision. Come TakeFlight at KSU!

Location

(Primary Location for JobResponsibilities) Our Kennesaw campus is located at 1000Chastain Road NW, Kennesaw, GA 30144.

Our Marietta campus is located at 1100 SouthMarietta Parkway, Marietta, GA 30060.

Department Information

DEPARTMENT SPECIFIC TASKS ANDRESPONSIBILITIES

• Design, fabricate, and instrument bio-inspired underwater robottestbeds, including compliant propulsors, embedded sensing, and onboard control hardware.
• Build and characterize acoustic metamaterial and transducerassemblies, and 3D-printed skull and tissue-mimicking phantoms forultrasound testing.
• Conduct laboratory and water-tank experiments using high-speedimaging, hydrophones, accelerometers, and data acquisition systems.
• Perform system identification of measured nonlinear dynamics anddevelop physics-informed machine learning models from experimental data.
• Design, implement, and tune adaptive and nonlinear controllerson embedded hardware, and validate them in closed-loop operation.
• Develop finite element and wave-propagation models and correlatethem against experimental measurements.
• Provide day-to-day technical supervision of one doctoral studentand two undergraduate researchers, including equipment training and laboratorysafety.
• Maintain laboratory equipment, calibration records, datamanagement practices, and versioncontrolled analysis code.
• Contribute preliminary data, figures, and technical text tofederal proposals to agencies such as NSF, ONR, DARPA, AFOSR, and NIH.

DEPARTMENT SPECIFIC KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, ANDABILITIES

• Knowledge of dynamical systems, vibration, and wave propagationin solids and fluids.
• Skill in system identification and parameter estimation fromnoisy experimental time-series data.
• Ability to design and implement feedback control on embeddedplatforms such as microcontrollers and ROS.
• Proficiency in MATLAB/Simulink and Python for modeling, signalprocessing, and machine learning.
• Working knowledge of finite element analysis and acoustic orelastic wave simulation.
• Skill in mechanical fabrication and prototyping, includingadditive manufacturing and compliant structures.
• Ability to plan, execute, and document laboratory experimentsinvolving water tanks, acoustic transducers, and high-speed imaging.
• Ability to communicate technical results in peer-reviewedmanuscripts and in federal proposal text.

ADDITIONAL QUALIFICATIONS (Preferredqualifications)

• Ph.D. in mechanical engineering, aerospace engineering, electrical engineering, applied physics, or a closely related field.
• Research experience in acoustics, ultrasound, guided elasticwaves, or vibration-based measurement.
• Experience with bio-inspired locomotion, soft or compliantrobotics, or underwater or aerial vehicle testing.
• Familiarity with reservoir computing, nonlinear oscillatordynamics, or analog and neuromorphic computation.
• Experience with computer vision, high-speed imaging, ormultiple-camera motion tracking.
• Prior participation in federally funded research (DoD, NIH, NASA,or NSF) and contribution to proposal preparation.
• Teaching or formal mentoring experience consists of an academiccareer path.

Job Summary

Postdoctoral Researchers support teams ofKSU faculty and students (undergraduate and graduate students),which engage with external collaborators from other universities,community members, government agencies, and/or private sectorentities to stimulate innovation, capacity-building, andsustainability of research and scholarly activity at KSU.

This position is considered limited-term staff since it utilizes contingent funding which is currently only secured through June 30, 2028, or 18 monthsfrom the position start date, whichever occurs first. Employment thereafter will be conditional based on continued availability of funding.

Responsibilities

• Plans and executes experimental activities, data analyses, submission of reports or of manuscripts to peer-reviewed publications, and/or attendance and presentation of research findings at appropriate venues of dissemination
• Develops and contributes to new ideas for research proposals and directions within the research group
• Develops an Individual Development Plan (IDP) in collaboration with faculty mentor
• Generates revenue by securing grants and participates in departmental and institutional career development programs, such as grant writing workshops
• Prepares project budget and ensures funded project operates within budget guidelines
• Maintains official records and documents, and ensures compliance with institutional policies, and federal, state and local regulations
• Establishes working relationships and cooperative arrangements with internal and external partners
• Engages in research and publication

Required Qualifications

Educational Requirements

Ph.D. or equivalent doctorate (e.g. D.V.M, Sc.D., M.D., PharmD.,etc.) from an accredited institution of higher education orobtainment of doctorate degree within six (6) months of hire

Preferred Qualifications

Preferred Educational Qualifications

Proposed Salary

The budgeted salary range is $51,600 to $60,000. Offersare based on relevant experience. Comprehensive benefits toinclude Medical, Dental, Vision, 13 paid holidays, vacation,generous retirement plans, tuition waiver, wellness options, andmuch more! Visit hr.kennesaw.edu/benefits.

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities

ABILITIES

• Able to meet eligibility requirements for work in the United States at the time the appointment is scheduled to begin and to continue working legally for the proposed term of the appointment
• Able to handle multiple tasks or projects simultaneously to meet assigned deadlines

KNOWLEDGE

• Demonstrated ability to carry out independent and collaborativeresearch on a team of faculty and students with the ability to meetdeliverables and milestones
• Demonstrated creative and proactive approach towards problemsolving
• Knowledge of and experience in general analytical methodsdevelopment and good analytical practices
• Maintains a working knowledge of significant developments andtrends in the field

SKILLS

• Outstanding proposal and paper writing skills
• Excellent interpersonal, initiative, teamwork, problem-solving,organization, communication (verbal and written), time management,project management, and presentation skills
• Proficient with computer applications and programs associated withthe position (i.e. Microsoft Office suite)
• Strong attention to detail and follow-up skills
• Strong customer service skills and phone and e-mail etiquette
• Refer to the department specific Research Addendum for additionalKSA information

USG Core Values

The University System of Georgia is comprised of our 25institutions of higher education and learning as well as the SystemOffice. Our USG Statement of Core Values are Integrity, Excellence,Accountability, and Respect. These values serve as the foundationfor all that we do as an organization, and each USG communitymember is responsible for demonstrating and upholding thesestandards. More details on the USG Statement of Core Values andCode of Conduct are available in USG Board Policy 8.2.18.1.2 andcan be found on-line at https://www.usg.edu/policymanual/section8/C224/#p8.2.18_personnel_conduct.

Additionally, USG supports Freedom of Expression as stated inBoard Policy 6.5 Freedom of Expression and Academic Freedom foundon-line at https://www.usg.edu/policymanual/section6/C2653.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Kennesaw State University is an EqualEmployment Opportunity Employer. The University is committed tomaintaining a fair and respectful environment for living, work andstudy. To that end, and in accordance with federal and state law,Board of Regents policy, and University policy, the Universityprohibits harassment of or discrimination against any personbecause of race, color, sex (including sexual harassment,pregnancy, and medical conditions related to pregnancy), sexualorientation, gender identity, gender expression, ethnicity ornational origin, religion, age, genetic information, disability, orveteran or military status by any member of the KSU Community oncampus, in connection with a University program or activity, or ina manner that creates a hostile environment for members of the KSUcommunity.

For additional information on this policy, or to file a complaintunder the provisions of this policy, students, employees,applicants for employment or admission or other third partiesshould contact the Office of Institutional Equity at EnglishBuilding, Suite 225, [e-mail].

Other Information

• This is not a supervisory position.
• This position does not have any financial responsibilities.
• This position will not be required to drive.
• This role is not considered a position of trust.
• This position does not require a purchasing card (P-Card).
• This position does not require security clearance.
• This position may travel 1%-24% of the time.

Background Check

• Standard Enhanced
• Education

Per the University System of Georgia background check policy,all final candidates will be required to consent to a criminalbackground investigation. Final candidates may be asked to disclosecriminal record history during the initial screening process andprior to a conditional offer of employment. Applicants forpositions of trust with screening results which confirm adisqualifying criminal history will be immediately disqualifiedfrom employment eligibility

All applicants are required to include professional referencesas part of their application process. Some positions may requireadditional job-based screenings such as motor vehicle report,credit check, pre-employment drug screening and/or verification ofacademic credentials.

https://www.usg.edu/hr/assets/hr/hrap_manual/HRAP_Background_Investigation_Employment.pdf