Postdoctoral Scholar in the Department of Mechanical Engineering

Penn State University; Northern (KY); Hybrid; USD 52,000 - 75,000; Part time

Job summary

The Pennsylvania State University’s Department of Mechanical Engineering seeks a Postdoctoral Scholar under the direction of Dr. Yuan Xuan. This is a term position, with duration and potential continuation contingent on university need, funding, and performance.

Remote or hybrid work is not guaranteed. The candidate will develop digital twin systems using multi-physics simulations of 2D material synthesis chambers, validate results against experimental measurements, and use the twins to

Qualifications

• PhD in Mechanical Engineering or a closely related field by start date.
• Strong experience with computational fluid dynamics and molecular dynamics.
• Familiarity with CAD tools for modeling.

Responsibilities

• Develop digital twin systems using multi-physics simulations for 2D material synthesis chambers.
• Validate and calibrate digital twins with experimental data.
• Provide process optimization recommendations for Penn State Cloud Lab users.

Skills

CFD simulations

CAD modeling

Molecular dynamics (ReaxFF)

Education

PhD in Mechanical Engineering or related field

Tools

ReaxFF MD simulations

Multi-physics simulation

Job description

Position Specifications

The Department of Mechanical Engineering at The Pennsylvania State University is seeking a Postdoctoral Scholar under the direction of Dr. Yuan Xuan.

Position type: Term position. Length of the term will be discussed during the interview process. Continuation past the term length discussed will be based on university need, performance, and/or availability of funding. Approval of remote and hybrid work is not guaranteed regardless of work location.

Job Duties

• The candidate is expected to develop digital twin systems using multi-physics simulations of 2D material synthesis chambers according to the corresponding experimental setups
• Validate and calibrate the digital twins against experimental measurements
• Use the digital wins for process optimization and recommendations for users of the Penn State Cloud Lab

Qualifications and Requirements

• Engineering computational cluid dynamics simulations
• CAD modeling
• ReaxFF-based molecular dynamics simulations

The candidate must have earned a Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering or a related field by the appointment start date

Background Checks/Clearances

Employment with the University will require successful completion of background check(s) in accordance with University policies.

Benefits

Penn State provides a competitive benefits package for full-time employees designed to support both personal and professional well-being. For more detailed information, please visit our Benefits Page. (Note: For Postdoctoral benefits, please see our Postdoctoral Benefits page.)

Campus Security Crime Statistics

Pursuant to the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and the Pennsylvania Act of 1988, Penn State publishes a combined Annual Security and Annual Fire Safety Report (ASR). The ASR includes crime statistics and institutional policies concerning campus security, such as those concerning alcohol and drug use, crime prevention, the reporting of crimes, sexual assault, and other matters. The ASR is available for review here.

EEO IS THE LAW

Penn State is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to providing employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status. If you are unable to use our online application process due to an impairment or disability, please contact 814-865-1473. Penn State is committed to and accountable for advancing equity, respect, and belonging. We embrace individual uniqueness, as well as a culture of belonging that supports equity initiatives, leverages the educational and institutional benefits of inclusion in society, and provides opportunities for engagement intended to help all members of the community thrive.

We value belonging as a core strength and an essential element of the university’s teaching, research, and service mission.

About Us

There’s a reason Penn State consistently ranks among the top one percent of the world’s universities. Across 24 campuses, our 100,000 students and 40,000 faculty and staff know the real measure of success goes beyond the classroom – it’s the positive impact made on communities across the world. Our ideals stem from our origins as Pennsylvania’s sole land-grant institution, which allow us to continue to bring positive impact to humanity through our teaching, research, and engagement mission. And across the world is a community of Penn Staters – more than half a million strong – driven by that same spirit to serve our local and global communities. At Penn State, passion is met with collaboration in an environment that is rooted in shared pride for the accomplishments of our fellow students, faculty, staff, and alumni. Penn Staters cheer each other on to build a culture committed to service and engagement. Our University values represent our core ethical aspirations for all our daily activities and actions as students, faculty, staff, and volunteers at Penn State. Our values are as follows; Integrity, Respect, Responsibility, Discovery, Excellence, and Community. We Are Penn State. One Community. Impacting Many.