University of Texas at Dallas

Posting Number S06460P

Position Title Research Associate

Functional Title

Department Mechanical Engineering

Salary Range 60,000 DOQ

Pay Basis Monthly

Position Status Regular full-time

Location Richardson

Position End Date (if temporary)

Posting Open Date 06/25/2025

Posting Close Date 07/18/2025

Open Until Filled No

Desired Start Date 07/14/2025

Job Summary

The Department of Mechanical Engineering at the University of Texas at Dallas invites applications for a Postdoctoral Researcher position focused on sea spray measurements under high-wind conditions. We seek a highly motivated, independent, and creative researcher with a strong background in air-sea interactions and experimental fluid mechanics. The successful candidate will conduct advanced laboratory measurements to investigate the dynamics of spume droplets at high wind speeds. This will be accomplished by a combination of novel experiments based on high-speed shadow imaging to concurrently measure drop size distribution, production velocity, and deposition velocity and a digital-twin modeling framework to augment measurements with near-surface turbulence statistics and droplet-flow interactions. The resulting dataset enables the development of sea-state-dependent parameterizations of spray source function and spray-mediated fluxes.

About Us: The Flow Dynamics and Turbulence (FDT) laboratory is part of the Department of Mechanical Engineering at the University of Texas at Dallas. It is an interdisciplinary research group dedicated to understanding the nature of turbulence and examining turbulent flow processes in different natural, industrial, and engineering environments using experimental, numerical, and theoretical approaches. Particularly, our research agenda is focused on studying turbulent air-sea interaction processes, including surface waves and the accompanying generation of turbulence, spray, bubbles, airflow separation, and breaking waves. Another strand of our research is devoted to studying the turbulence structure in hurricane boundary-layer flows and examining the impacts of wind-wave interaction processes on offshore wind turbines and on-shore structures. In general, our research field is of interest to engineering, applied mathematics, and oceanography scholars. Physics learned from our work directly impacts our understanding of air-sea couplings and ocean waves, which is crucial for weather and climate forecasting and has significant societal benefits, impacting many aspects of human life.

Minimum Education and Experience

Ph.D in a related field.

Preferred Education and Experience

• Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering, Ocean Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a related field by the time of appointment.
• Demonstrated expertise in experimental fluid mechanics, with priority given to candidates experienced in shadowgraph, high-speed imaging, PIV, and/or Schlieren techniques.
• Experience developing LabVIEW scripts and APIs for application-specific data acquisition and control, and hands-on experience with data acquisition systems and experimental instrumentation.
• Proficiency in MATLAB, Python, and LabVIEW programming languages.
• Demonstrated research experience with a strong record of peer-reviewed publications in air-sea interactions, ocean waves and spray dynamics, and turbulent flows.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a collaborative research team, with excellent written, oral, and interpersonal communication skills.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Conduct Experimental Research: Design, execute, and analyze laboratory experiments focused on sea spray measurements using advanced techniques such as shadowgraphy, high-speed imaging, and PIV.
• Develop Measurement Techniques: Develop and refine experimental methodologies that integrate high-speed shadowgraphy and PIV to quantify sea spray droplets and the background flow field.
• Experimental Data Analysis: Utilize MATLAB, Python, and LabVIEW to develop DAQ systems, analyze experimental data, and create custom scripts and APIs.
• Research Dissemination: Prepare and publish research findings in peer-reviewed journals and present results at academic and professional conferences.
• Collaborative Research Projects: Work collaboratively with multidisciplinary research teams on projects related to air-sea interactions and contribute to proposal development and project management.
• Maintain Laboratory Equipment: Ensure proper operation and maintenance of laboratory equipment, including troubleshooting technical issues related to fluid mechanics experimental setups.
• Mentorship and Training: Provide guidance to graduate and undergraduate students in experimental techniques, data analysis, and research methodologies.

Physical Demands and Working Conditions

Physical Activities

Working Conditions

Additional Information

A remote work schedule is not available for this position.

What We Can Offer

UT Dallas is an Equal Opportunity Employer with an employee-friendly and supportive work environment. Our comprehensive compensation and benefits package that is effective as of your hire date includes:

• Competitive Salary
• Tuition Benefits
• Internal Training
• BCBS PPO Medical insurance – 100% paid for full-time employees
• PPO and DHMO Dental Insurance Plan – PPO plans include ortho benefits
• Vision Insurance
• Long and short-term disability
• TRS Retirement Plan – defined benefit plan offering lifetime annuity upon retirement
• Voluntary Retirement Plan Options – additional savings opportunities with Tax-Sheltered Annuity Plans and Deferred Compensation Plans
• Dental/Vision/AD&D
• Paid time off
• Paid Holidays
• Paid Winter Break
• Fertility Benefits

All UT Dallas employees have access to various professional development opportunities, including a membership to Academic Impressions, LinkedIn Learning, and UT Dallas Bright Leaders Program.

Visit https://hr.utdallas.edu/employees/benefits/ for more information.

If you are looking for a rewarding career opportunity with great benefits? Look no further! Join our team!

Special Instructions Summary

Important Message

1) All employees serve as a representative of the University and are expected to display respect, civility, professional courtesy, consideration of others and discretion in all interactions with members of the UT Dallas community and the general public.

2) The University of Texas at Dallas is committed to providing an educational, living, and working environment that is welcoming, respectful, and inclusive of all members of the university community. UT Dallas does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, national origin, disability, genetic information, or veteran status in its services, programs, activities, employment, and education, including in admission and enrollment. The University is committed to providing access, equal opportunity, and reasonable accommodation for individuals with disabilities. To request reasonable accommodation in the employment application and interview process, contact the ADA Coordinator. For inquiries regarding nondiscrimination policies, contact the Title IX Coordinator.

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