Research Associate, AI-Driven Chemical & Process Modeling

Worcester Polytech; Massachusetts; On-site; USD 55,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI) seeks a highly motivated Research Associate to develop machine learning and agentic AI methods for chemical and environmental engineering applications. You will work with chemical engineers to build hybrid physics- and data-driven models, digital twins, and autonomous workflows for complex reaction and process systems.

The role emphasizes collaboration with experts in process systems engineering, and opportunities to publish and advance scientific machine

Qualifications

• Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering, Engineering, Applied Mathematics, Data Science, Computer Science, Operations Research, or a closely related field.
• Demonstrated experience applying machine learning to physical, engineering, or scientific systems.
• Strong proficiency in Python and modern machine learning frameworks.
• Experience developing regression, surrogate, optimization, or uncertainty quantification models for engineering applications.
• Publication record in machine learning, scientific computing, process systems engineering, or a related field.

Skills

ML for engineering systems

Python

Scientific ML

Publication record

Education

Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering or closely related field

Tools

Aspen Plus

gPROMS

COMSOL

Cantera

Job description

Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI) seeks a highly motivated Research Associate to develop machine learning and agentic AI methods for chemical and environmental engineering applications. You will work with chemical engineers to build hybrid physics- and data-driven models, digital twins, and autonomous workflows for complex reaction and process systems.

The role emphasizes collaboration with experts in process systems engineering, and opportunities to publish and advance scientific machine