Post-Doctoral Research Opportunities Supporting Supersonic / Hypersonic

Experiments and Simulations - Salaries Competitive with National Laboratories

The HORIZON research group at the University of Tennessee Space Institute (UTSI) is seeking multiple exceptionally qualified candidates with expertise across the areas of high-speed flows, optical diagnostics, and/or high-fidelity numerical simulations to help advance and execute the group's growing research portfolio focused on aerothermodynamics.

Multiple positions are immediately available, where each requires excellent technical capabilities, strong interpersonal skills to facilitate engagement with a diverse group of collaborators, sponsors and students, and the ability to execute multiple projects in parallel. The positions are for a limited-duration period of 12 months with an option to extend the initial appointment. Direct experience across one or more of the following areas is highly desirable:

• High-speed wind tunnel experimentation
• Optical diagnostic measurements (e.g., schlieren, laser diagnostics, paint-based measurements)
• Shock-wave / Boundary-Layer Interactions and/or Fluid / Structure Interactions
• High-fidelity numerical methods and Computational Science
• Linux operating environment and programming languages such as C++, Fortran, Python
• Engineering data reduction techniques and software

Eligible candidates will have completed (in the last 3 years) or will soon complete (within 6 months) a doctorate in Aerospace or Mechanical Engineering or similar technical disciplines. Salary is competitive with similar positions in national laboratories / industry and will be commensurate with the requirements of the position and the applicant's experience. Tennessee has no state income tax, has a moderately-low cost-of-living, and is much prettier than the desert.

REQUIREMENTS: Successful applicants must have earned or be within 6 months of earning a Ph.D. in Aerospace or Mechanical Engineering or similar technical disciplines. All applicants must be able to work in an environment conforming to International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) requirements.

Founded in August 2014, the HORIZON research group at UTSI has rapidly developed a strong research portfolio exceeding $16M in externally sponsored efforts over the period of 2015-2023. The group has grown from a single Chaired Professor to a group of 15-20, including four tenured/tenure-track faculty, one research professor, two engineers, and one current post-doctoral research associate. The group utilizes two moderate-scale supersonic blowdown tunnels (Mach 2 at 8" x 8" & Mach 2.3 at 6" x 6") and a very large Mach 4 Ludwieg Tube at 24" x 24" - with construction of a comparable Mach 7 Ludwieg Tube to be completed in early 2021. HORIZON researchers also have access to over $2M in state-of-the-art equipment including several laser systems (incl. a 1 MHz pulse-burst laser), five Photron high-speed cameras (incl. two SA-Z's), two high-speed image intensifiers, and two Linux workstations and a 1000-core GPU-enabled super-computer for high-performance computing. Information on our team's personnel, research, facilities and enthusiasm for discovery and innovation supporting Aerospace & Defense is on our social media sites:

http://horizon.utsi.edu

https://www.facebook.com/horizon.utsi

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2cGOJzCC6QfQbK0kHtXhDw

The University of Tennessee Space Institute (UTSI) is a graduate education and research institution situated on 376 acres in Tullahoma, TN adjacent to the Air Force Arnold Engineering Development Complex (AEDC). Since UTSI's inception in 1964, over 2,700 graduate degrees have been awarded, including more than 265 doctorates and MS degrees for 9 astronauts. UTSI alumni have become company presidents, chief scientists, engineering managers, and renowned scholars and scientists. Tullahoma is in southern, middle Tennessee and is less than 75 miles from three neighboring major cities: Nashville, Chattanooga, and Huntsville, AL.

The UTSI campus is one of the most beautiful in the country, located on a peninsula surrounded by one of the regions many lakes. Outdoor recreational opportunities abound, including outstanding hiking, camping, fishing, and golf.

The HORIZON team has specialized in developing experience in hypersonics within research staff transitioning from other scientific backgrounds. HORIZON's most recent post-doctoral research associate, Dr. Chris McKenna, whose PhD was accomplished in subsonic aerodynamics (and is now at Creare LLC), said the following about his two years at UTSI: "Coming to UTSI to work with the HORIZON group was the best thing I imagine I could have done for my career."

APPLICATION PROCESS: Applicants must apply online through the UTSI Employment website (https://www.utsi.edu/utsi-employment/). Click on "External Applicants" in the left-hand column. Specify search criteria by entering Tullahoma in the Location box. Click on position to view job description and/or apply. External candidates must create a new account to apply.

Potential candidates must attach the following documents to their online application: (1) an introductory letter that includes a statement on the candidate's ability to work in an ITAR environment, (2) a Curriculum Vitae, (3) a short statement of professional interests & future goals, and (4) the contact information for three references.

Screening of applicants will begin immediately and will continue until the position has been filled. Please direct any questions regarding this position to the University of Tennessee Space Institute Human Resources office by phone (931) 393-7226 or email hr@utsi.edu.

The University of Tennessee Space Institute is an EEO/AA/Title VI/Title IX/Section 504/ADA/ADEA institution in the provision of its education and employment programs and services. All qualified applicants will receive equal consideration for employment and admission without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sex, pregnancy, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, physical or mental disability, genetic information, veteran status, and parental status.