Research Associate - Computational Fluid Dynamics

at  University of Minnesota

Required Qualifications

• Ph.D. in aerospace engineering or related field with 1 or more years of research training.
• Extensive experience with direct simulation Monte Carlo (DSMC) methods related to aerospace engineering.
• Extensive experience with continuum computational fluid dynamics (CFD) methods related to aerospace engineering.
• Experience in programming for scientific computing and high-performance computing.
• Experience with high-speed flow physics and high-temperature gas dynamics.
• Excellent mentoring and teaching skills.
• Ability to manage multiple projects and effectively work with other researchers.
• Excellent organizational, presentation and writing skills.
• Demonstrated self-motivation and creativity.
• Demonstrated time-management skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with gas transport modeling (viscosity, thermal conductivity, and diffusivity) from both kinetic and continuum theories.
• Experience with high temperature gas chemistry.
• Experience with high temperature gas-material chemistry.
• Experience in computational fluid dynamics (CFD) approaches, including grid generation, simulation verification and validation best-practices, solution post-processing, and solution visualization.
• Experience in working closely with experimental researchers and experience in validating computational models against experimental data.

The Department of Aerospace Engineering and Mechanics seeks candidates for the position of Research Associate-Computational Fluid Dynamics to join a dynamic research team under the direction of Professor Thomas Schwartzentruber. The projects being pursued by this research group involve the development and use of both computational fluid dynamics (CFD) methods and particle simulation methods, such as stochastic direct simulation Monte Carlo (DSMC) methods and deterministic molecular dynamics (MD) methods. The development, up-keep, and operation of these large sets of code requires an experienced researcher to perform various technical aspects of the research and to also mentor less experienced PhD students on various projects that use these codes. This research is inherently multidisciplinary and multiscale. An experienced researcher is required that has a breadth of knowledge in both molecular-level physics and continuum aerospace fluid flow as well as the ability to devise unique multiscale models to solve problems. The individual in this position also helps to mentor individual projects and makes technical connections between projects.
Duties/Responsibilities

Development of Particle Simulation Methods (50%)

• Performing continuum computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations of high-temperature reacting gases applied to aerospace applications.
• Continued development of the direct simulation Monte Carlo (DSMC) particle method, including the improvement and implementation of ‘best-practice’ algorithms.
• Coupling DSMC to traditional computational fluid dynamics (CFD) methods.
• Performing numerical simulations of high-temperature reacting gases applied to aerospace applications.
• Providing computational simulation support to various collaborating experimental research groups to guide new experiments.
• Performing validation studies of computational predictions by comparing to experimental data.

Project Oversight (15%)

• Providing project management and oversight of multiple projects.
• Providing technical oversight of multiple projects.
• Providing technical advising of other researchers in the group.
• Organizing and participating in virtual and in-person meetings with collaborators of joint research projects.

Programming Support (20%)

• Scientific computer programming support to accelerate new group projects or provide programming support on on-going projects.
• Simulation code profiling to determine targeted code areas for improvements in efficiency.
• Implementation of code improvements to improve efficiency while maintaining solution accuracy.
• Implementation of code subroutines to transfer simulation information between CFD and DSMC codes.

Communication and Dissemination of Results (10%)

• Preparing research reports and presentations for program/project reviews.
• Preparing technical abstracts, papers, and presentations for conference activities.
• Preparing journal papers for top journals in the aerospace engineering field.

Mentoring (5%)

• Mentoring graduate students and providing technical feedback and guidance for multi-disciplinary and multi-scale research.

The AEM department has vibrant and active research programs in all areas of aerospace engineering and mechanics, including fluid dynamics, hypersonics, aerospace systems, computational mechanics and aerospace structures and materials. The department is in the College of Science and Engineering at the University of Minnesota, which is a world-class research university with outstanding resources and programs in engineering and science, health sciences, social sciences and liberal arts. The AEM department has close ties with on-campus multidisciplinary centers, and convenient access to outstanding shared experimental and computational facilities, such as the Gemini-Huntley Robotics Research Laboratory of the Minnesota Robotics Institute, the Minnesota Nano Center, the Characterization Facility, the Center for Magnetic Resonance Research, and the Minnesota Supercomputing Institute. More information about the department is available at https://cse.umn.edu/aem.
Applications must be submitted online. To be considered for this position, please click the Apply button and follow the instructions. You will have the opportunity to complete an online application for the position and attach a cover letter and resume.
Additional documents may be attached after application by accessing your “My Job Applications” page and uploading documents in the “My Cover Letters and Attachments” section. This position requires that you attach a list of three professional references. A sample of scholarly work can also be attached here.
This position will remain open until filled.
To request an accommodation during the application process, please e-mail employ@umn.edu or call (612) 624-8647.
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The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC)
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Please refer the Job description for details