New

Postdoctoral Researcher

University of Kansas
United States, Kansas, Lawrence
1450 Jayhawk Boulevard (Show on map)
Oct 07, 2025
Position Overview We are seeking a highly motivated Postdoctoral Researcher to join the Computational Turbulence Laboratory (CTLab) in the Department of Aerospace Engineering at the University of Kansas. The successful candidate will conduct advanced research on wall-bounded turbulent flows over complex geometries, with emphasis on rough and porous surfaces in subsonic, supersonic, and hypersonic regimes. The position involves the development and application of high-fidelity computational fluid dynamics (CFD) methods, theoretical modeling, and data-driven approaches to study turbulence, aero-thermo-acoustics, and flow-surface interactions. The postdoctoral researcher will collaborate with graduate and undergraduate students, contribute to ongoing funded projects, and disseminate results through high-impact publications and presentations at international conferences. General responsibilities include independent and collaborative research, mentoring junior researchers, preparing manuscripts and reports, publishing and presenting findings, and contributing to proposal development for future funding opportunities. This is a limited term one-year position. Job Description 50% - Research & Method Development Design and perform high-fidelity simulations of turbulent flows over rough and porous surfaces in subsonic and supersonic regimes. Develop and implement new models for turbulence, roughness, and porous-media interactions. Analyze data to advance fundamental understanding of wall-bounded turbulence and inform predictive modeling. 20% - Collaboration & Mentorship Work closely with PI, graduate, and undergraduate students to advance project goals. Provide technical guidance and mentoring on CFD, numerical methods, and high-performance computing workflows. 15% - Publication & Dissemination Prepare and submit manuscripts to peer-reviewed journals. Present results at national and international conferences and workshops. 10% - Proposal & Reporting Support Contribute to writing project reports for sponsors. Assist with preparation of competitive research proposals (NASA, NSF, DOE, etc.). 5% - Laboratory Engagement & Outreach Participate in group meetings and CTLab research seminars. Contribute to departmental and outreach activities aligned with project goals. Required Qualifications Ph.D. in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Applied Physics, or a closely related field at the time of appointment. Demonstrated record of research and/or experience in fluid dynamics and turbulence, particularly wall-bounded turbulent flows, as demonstrated by application materials. Demonstrated experience in computational fluid dynamics (DNS, LES, or RANS) and/or high-performance computing (MPI, GPU, or parallel solvers), as demonstrated by application materials. Evidence of peer-reviewed publications in fluid dynamics, turbulence, or related fields, as demonstrated by application materials. Excellent programming skills (e.g., Fortran, C/C++, Python, or Julia) as evidenced in application materials. Previous experience that required written and oral communication skills, as demonstrated in application materials. NOTE: To be appointed at the Postdoctoral Researcher title, it is necessary to have the PhD conferred at the time of hire. Appointments made without a diploma or certified transcript indicating an earned doctorate are conditional hires and are appointed on an interim basis not to exceed 6 months. Upon verification of degree, the appointment will be extended to its full duration. This position requires a formal degree in the cited discipline area(s) to ensure that candidates have advanced knowledge, analytical skills and professional competencies necessary to perform the duties of the position. The level of degree is commonly recognized as the standard qualification for similar roles in the public and private sector, ensuring that the university remains competitive with industry aligned practices, enhances collaboration with external partners, and supports the delivery of services and programs that meet professional and market-driven expectations. Preferred Qualifications Previous experience with turbulence over rough walls, porous media, or complex geometries, as evidenced by work history. Knowledge of compressible flow regimes, including supersonic and hypersonic flows, as demonstrated by application materials. Familiarity with machine learning or data-driven modeling approaches in fluid dynamics, as demonstrated by application materials. Previous experience mentoring undergraduate or graduate students, as demonstrated by application materials. Previous background in developing or extending high-order numerical methods, as demonstrated by application materials. Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively in a multi-disciplinary research environment, as evidenced by work history. Previous record of presenting at international conferences, as demonstrated by application materials. Additional Candidate Instructions Only complete application packages submitted online will be considered. A complete application includes: Online application form Resume or CV Cover letter Names and contact information for three professional references Review of applications will begin October 18, 2025, and will continue until a qualified pool of applicants is identified. Contact Information to Applicants Mostafa Aghaei-Jouybari mostafa@ku.edu Advertised Salary Range $58,656 Application Review Begins Saturday October 18, 2025 Anticipated Start Date Monday November 3, 2025