Postdoctoral Scholar

East Carolina University; Northern (KY); Hybrid; USD 62,000 - 63,000; Full time

Job summary

East Carolina University (ECU) in Greenville, NC seeks a postdoctoral scholar to lead independent and collaborative research in atmospheric acoustics, including computational modeling and field campaigns measuring acoustic transmission with meteorological data. The role emphasizes data management, analysis, and dissemination through publications and presentations.

The successful candidate will develop and implement experiments, mentor undergraduate and graduate students, and ensure compliance

Qualifications

• PhD in physics, atmospheric science, or engineering; equivalent background.
• Excellent written and oral communications skills required.
• Experience with computational and/or experimental techniques for atmospheric boundary layer measurements; data collection and analysis.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement scientific research in atmospheric acoustics, both independently and collaboratively.
• Manage and oversee large-scale field studies measuring acoustic transmission and meteorological parameters; process and manage data.

Skills

Excellent communication skills

Computational techniques

Experimental techniques

English proficiency

Education

PhD in physics/atmospheric science/engineering

Job description

Anticipated Recruitment Range. Salary offered may be outside of this range as impacted by budget, UNC salary administration, and/or candidate qualifications.

Anticipated Recruitment Range. Salary offered may be outside of this range as impacted by budget, UNC salary administration, and/or candidate qualifications. $62,232

Position Type

Position Location (City)

Position Location (City) Wanchese

Job Category

Be a Pirate!

Be a Pirate!

East Carolina University ( ECU ) is consistently ranked among the nation's top public universities for its commitment to research, innovation, social mobility, and public service. Classified as a R1 institution by the Carnegie Commission on Higher Education, ECU is among the top 5% of research universities in the United States, an elite designation reflecting the highest levels of research activity, funding, and doctoral output.

Founded in 1907, ECU is a public, four-year university located in Greenville, N.C., which and is widely regarded as the cultural, educational, economic, and medical hub of eastern North Carolina. Through education, research, healthcare, community engagement, athletics, cultural enrichment, and service, ECU enhances the quality of life for its students, the state and communities around the world. It is a great place to work, teach, and learn.

ECU’s commitment to impactful scholarship is further demonstrated through its repeated Carnegie Community Engagement Classification (2010, 2015, 2024), as well as its 2024 designation as a Carnegie Leadership for Public Purpose institution. These distinctions recognize the university’s leadership in translating research into meaningful community partnerships and measurable societal benefits.

The department offers an ABET -accredited BS in Engineering with concentrations in Mechanical Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Environmental Engineering, Industrial and Systems Engineering, and Biochemical Engineering. The department has a growing undergraduate student population, an MS in biomedical engineering program and MS in mechanical engineering program.

Primary Purpose of Position

The postdoctoral scholar is responsible for independent and collaborative development, implementation, and analysis of scientific research in the discipline of atmospheric acoustics. In addition to research experience (developing and conducting experiments, analyzing data, writing peer-reviewed manuscripts), opportunities for professional development (mentor training, grant writing, etc.) will also be provided. Prospective candidates will work in areas including computational and experimental investigation of atmospheric acoustics as well as hyperlocal phenomena in the atmospheric boundary layer (wind, temperature, and turbulence dynamics). This inquiry will include development of new experimental approaches to characterizing the acoustics at the shore-water boundary: shoaling wave dynamics; shore morphology influences; coupling to meteorological conditions.

Specifically, the scholar will have a primary responsibility for management and oversight of large scale field studies measuring concurrent acoustic transmission loss and meteorological parameters and subsequent data processing and data management.

Duties also include: hypothesis development, literature review, collection of data, report writing, and supervising of undergraduate research students and graduate research students, overseeing data collection procedures, supervising experimental procedures, review of data for quality control, supervising experimental procedures, review of data for quality control, supervision of data entry/data analysis, and the development of independent and collaborative presentations and publications.

Scholars are expected to demonstrate compliance with established guidelines and regulatory standards for research including biosafety, responsible conduct of research and human subjects training.

Approximately 40% of the postdoctoral scholar’s time will be devoted to computational modeling of atmospheric acoustics and generation of scholarly products (papers and presentations).

Approximately 60% of the postdoctoral scholar’s time will be devoted to managing the scholar’s day-to-day activity which includes conducting the specified field studies referred to above as well as helping graduate and undergraduate students as needed.

Minimum Education, Knowledge, Skills, and Experience

A Ph.D. (or equivalent) in a relevant physics, atmospheric science, or engineering discipline or closely related background.

Excellent written and oral communications skills.

Experience in computational and/or experimental techniques for atmospheric boundary layer measurements. General proficiency in experimental design, data gathering, data analysis, record keeping, and other research related skills.

English proficiency.

License or Certification Required by Statute or Regulation

None

Preferred Education, Knowledge, Skills, and Experience

Priority will be given to those with a demonstrated record of research (i.e. publications) and experience in managing complex experimental field study campaigns including 3d Doppler LIDAR wind measurements.

Job Open Date 08/29/2025

Job Close Date - Positions will be posted until 11:59 p.m. EST on this date. If no closing date is indicated, the position may close at any time after the initial screening date.

East Carolina University is committed to workforce success and cultivating a culture of care for our employees. ECU prohibits unlawful discrimination and harassment based on race/ethnicity, color, genetic information, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, disability, political affiliation, and veteran status. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to their protected veteran status or disability. Individuals requesting accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act Amendments Act (ADAAA) should contact the ADA Coordinator at [phone] (Voice/TTY) or [e-mail].

Eligibility for Employment

Final candidates are subject to criminal & sex offender background checks. Some vacancies also require credit or motor vehicle checks. ECU participates in E-Verify. Federal law requires all employers to verify the identity and employment eligibility of all persons hired to work in the United States. If highest degree earned is from an institution outside of the U.S. and its territories, final candidates are required to have their degree validated as equivalent to the degree conferred by a regionally accredited college or university in the U.S.

Department for People Operations, Success, and Opportunity

If you experience any problems accessing the system or have questions about the application process, please contact the Department for People Operations, Success, and Opportunity at [phone] or toll free at 1-866-489-1740 or send an email to [e-mail]. Our office is available to provide assistance Monday-Friday from 8:00-5:00 EST .