Number of Vacancies: 1

Area of Consideration: Open To The Public 

Employment Status: Full Time, Temporary

Pay Plan, Series & Grade: DS0058/301/8

Salary Range: $28.82 per hour ($59,995 annually)

Closing Date: Open Until Filled

Location: 4200 Connecticut Ave NW, Washington, DC 20008

Brief Description of Duties

The Center for Advanced Manufacturing in Space Technology & Applied Research (CAM-STAR) under school of Engineering and Applied sciences (SEAS) at the University of the District of Columbia is seeking a Postdoctoral Research Associate with research experiences in the areas of Thermal Fluids, Manufacturing and Materials. CAM-STAR focus on investigating various advanced manufacturing (AM) techniques and their application in Space Exploration Technology and Applied Research. Successful candidate will be supervised by experienced and internationally renowned faculty advisors at UDC, in collaboration with experts from NASA Johnson Space Center, NASA Marshall Space Flight Center, University of Maryland-College Park, Clemson University, National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) and other industrial partners for career advancement.

This position is primarily a temporary/training position in which the incumbent plays a substantive role in planning and conducting research by using quantitative and qualitative methods to collect, analyze and report data activities. In collaboration with the Principal Investigator, this role will participate in the planning of independent research, will analyze and interpret data, will publish results, will represent the university at conferences and meetings, and may develop new theories and methodologies. This position may also help the Principal Investigator to lead and direct the work of lower level research staff. This role performs work under the supervision of experienced researchers.
 

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Conducts high quality research in the area of interest;
• Works closely with graduate and undergraduate students and contribute to joint projects;
• Participates with teaching and outreach activities and programs;
• Presents and publishes research findings at conferences and peer reviewed publications;
• Prepares progress reports for the funding sources;
• Seeks external funding to support and expand research activities to enhance the prestige and visibility of the University and to initiate research projects with government, private sector and public entities and the community;
• Conducts research in the area of additively manufactured novel thermal management solutions for space related applications, including but not limited to: novel heat exchanger design and fabrication, nano-enhanced heat transfer materials, space application optimized additive manufacturing methods, various emissivity coatings and fabrication, and additively manufactured thermal protection systems.
• Performs numerical simulation and analysis of the aforementioned processes using software including but not limited to: Thermal Desktop, COMSOL, ANSYS and OpenFOAM etc..
• Thermal property characterization with a variety of tools, including but not limited to: Laser Flash System, Differential Scanning calorimetry (DSC), Thermal Gravity Analysis (TGA)
• Microstructure characterization tools including: Atomic Force Microscope (AFM), Scanning electron microscope (SEM).
• Rapid prototyping using 3D printing on the platforms of metal 3D printer (i.e., EOS machine), and plastic 3D printers (PLA, ABS, SLA based)
• Micro/nanofabrication of the various coatings using instruments including photolithography and thin film depositions
• Experimental data analysis and instrumental controls using LabVIEW, Matlab, C++, Python

Minimum Job Requirements

• Doctoral degree in the related field
• Highly self-motivated and proactive, with exemplary problem-solving skills.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently as well as with teams
• Strong oral and written communication skills 

Information to Applicant

Condition of Employment:  This is a sponsored program appointment. The duration of this appointment is subject to grant fund availability.

Collective Bargaining Unit (Non-Union): This position is not in the collective bargaining unit.

Employment Benefits: Depending upon length of appointment, selectee may or may not be eligible for full benefits such as health and life insurance, annual (vacation) and sick leave and may not be eligible for the University of the District of Columbia’s retirement plan (TIAA).

Equal Opportunity Employer: The District of Columbia Government is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified candidates will receive consideration without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, marital status, personal appearance, sexual orientation, family responsibilities, matriculation, physical handicap, or political affiliation.

Notice of Non-Discrimination: In accordance with the D.C. Human Rights Act of 1977, as amended, D.C. Official Code, Section 2-1401.01 et. seq., (Act) the University of the District of Columbia does not discriminate on the basis of actual or perceived actual race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, family responsibilities, matriculation, political affiliation, marital status, personal appearance, genetic information, familial status, source of income, status as a victim of an intrafamily offense, place of residence or business,  or status as a covered veteran, as provided for and to the extent required by District and Federal statutes and regulations. Sexual harassment is a form of sex discrimination which is also prohibited by the Act.  In addition, harassment based on any of the above protected categories is prohibited by the Act.  Discrimination in violation of the Act will not be tolerated.  Violators will be subject to disciplinary action.

Veterans Preference:  Applicants claiming veteran's preference must submit official proof at the time of application.

Visa Sponsorship: While at this time the University of the District of Columbia does not provide sponsorship for visas (e.g. H-1B), we encourage and will consider individuals in an eligible OPT.

Drug-Free Workplace: Pursuant to the requirements of the Drug-Free Workplace Act of 1988, the individual selected to fill this position will, as a condition of employment, be required to notify his/her immediate supervisor, in writing, not later than five (5) days after conviction of any criminal drug statute occurring in the workplace.

Background Investigation: Employment with the University of the District of Columbia is contingent upon a satisfactory background investigation.  The determination of a "satisfactory background investigation" is made at the sole discretion of the University of the District of Columbia.  The University may refuse to hire a finalist, rescind an offer of employment to a finalist or review and may terminate the employment of a current employee based on the results of a background investigation.

Disposition of Resume: Resumes received outside the area of consideration and/or after the closing date will not be given consideration. You must resubmit your resume to receive consideration for any subsequent advertised position vacancies. For the purpose of employment, resumes are not considered job applications. Therefore, if selected for employment a UDC application will be required.

Job Offers: Official Job Offers are made by the University of the District of Columbia, Office of Talent Management only.

Contact Information:  All inquiries related to employment and job applications should be directed to UDC Office of Talent Management at (202) 274-5380.

The University of the District of Columbia is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action institution. Minorities, women, veterans and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply. For a full version of the University’s EO Policy Statement, please visit: https://www.udc.edu/human-resources/equal-opportunity/ .