Postdoctoral Associate - Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering (MAE) - Precision Space Systems

The Precision Space Systems Laboratory in the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering at the University of Florida is seeking to fill a postdoctoral scholar position in the area of space technology development for drag-free inertial sensors for the NASA-ESA Laser Interferometer Space Antenna (LISA) gravitational wave observatory and future Earth geodesy missions beyond GRACE-Follow On. This position may also contribute to the development of space instruments for intersatellite laser ranging, laser time-transfer, and laser communications for small spacecraft, especially CubeSats. Appointments as Research Scientist may be considered for exceptional candidates.

Be a technical lead for space technology development and flight hardware fabrication and testing. This includes the development of some or all of the following: Capacitive sensors, mechanisms and mechanical design, digital control electronics, modulated current sources, optomechanics, including fiber optics, and optoelectronics for space gravitational wave observatories (LISA), Earth geodesy missions, space optical communications systems, and laser ranging and laser time-transfer. Mentor graduate and undergraduate students involved in these projects and assist with technical and programmatic reports, journal articles and conference presentations.

Ph.D. degree in Mechanical and/or Aerospace Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Physics, Applied Physics, Astrophysics or a closely related discipline.

Knowledge and experience in the following topics are desired: Design, development, fabrication, integration and testing, flight operations and/or data analysis for space flight programs; Mechanical/thermal design for space systems; Fiber-coupled lasers, LEDs and fiber amplifiers; High bandwidth pulsed/modulated current sources for lasers and diodes; Digital electronics, microprocessors, and FPGAs; Development of flight software and or firmware for microprocessors and FPGAs, including VHDL; Experience with laboratory experiments, including the use of vacuum systems, UV and IR light sources and detectors, data acquisition and instrumentation.

Please send a letter of interest highlighting research and long-term goals, curriculum vitae, and the names and email addresses of three or more references. Please apply via Interfolio http://apply.interfolio.com/71128 and reference job 55841.

Final candidate will be required to provide official transcript to the hiring department upon hire. A transcript will not be considered “official” if a designation of “Issued to Student” is visible. Degrees earned from an education institution outside of the United States are required to be evaluated by a professional credentialing service provider approved by National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES), which can be found at http://www.naces.org/ .

The University of Florida is an equal opportunity institution dedicated to building a broadly diverse and inclusive faculty and staff. If an accommodation due to a disability is needed to apply for this position, please call 352/392-2477 or the Florida Relay System at 800/955-8771 (TDD). Hiring is contingent upon eligibility to work in the US. Searches are conducted in accordance with Florida's Sunshine Law.

Category=69

The University of Florida is committed to non-discrimination with respect to race, creed, color, religion, age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, marital status, national origin, political opinions or affiliations, genetic information and veteran status in all aspects of employment including recruitment, hiring, promotions, transfers, discipline, terminations, wage and salary administration, benefits, and training.