19020000 – EG-MECHANICAL / AEROSPACE ENG

Research Assistant Scientist

The Herbert Wertheim College of Engineering at the University of Florida invites applications for a twelve-month, time limited, full-time non-tenure-track faculty position at the rank of Research Assistant Scientist in the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering at the University of Florida. Initial appointment will be for one year with annual re-appointments based on performance and available funding. This position will support the Autonomous Vehicles Lab (AVL) located at University of Florida Research and Engineering Facility located in Shalimar, Florida.

A successful candidate for this Research Scientist position will be part of a research team utilizing technical and developmental payloads on-board an Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) to demonstrate navigation concepts for GPS-denied environments (e.g., Magnetic, Vision, Radio Frequency, etc.) for single or multi-UAV system concepts.  The qualified candidate will have expertise in state estimation for navigation, optimization, computational engineering, algorithm development, Kalman filters, object-oriented programming, and data analysis.  They will assist in the development of Kaman and particle filters for estimation of vehicle state during the integration and development of guidance, control, localization, and navigation systems.  This work will be developed and tested in real time simulations and on live-flight surrogate unmanned aircraft vehicles over a vast array of testbed platforms.

The selected candidate must have strong oral and written communication skills.  The ability to work collaboratively in group development sessions is a must.  However, motivation and dedication to project tasks in an independent environment are also necessary.  Knowledge of various software and code development sources must be present.  The candidate should have experience in one or more of the following programming languages:  C/C++, python.  Experience with Linux operating systems is also desired.  The candidate’s daily work affects the design, testing, implementation, operation, and support of the system, or the quality and reliability of services.

PhD. in Aerospace, Mechanical Engineering, or related field is required. Preferred qualifications include:

• Direct working experience with deriving, creating, and implementing navigation filters from scratch
• Professional, self-starter, with ability to take direction and good team player
• Ability to work in dynamic environments and support multiple users; good creative problem solver with a commitment to assisting the team in building quality software
• Strong oral and written communication skills, ability to present technical and non-technical topics to event participants (small and medium sized groups)
• Programming experience with MATLAB, C++, Python

The preferred candidate will have experience with interdisciplinary teams, especially navigation; familiarity in Object Oriented Programming:  C++/Python.  They should be well versed with Linux OS and GIT Configuration Management System, agile while working with other people’s code:  reading, modifying, debugging, and optimizing.  The candidate should possess the ability to present research findings at national and international conferences.  A working knowledge of standard office software such as Microsoft word processor, spreadsheet, database, and presentation tools is required.  Experience with estimation theory and simulation relevant to navigation is highly desired as well as experience with inter-sensor parameters calibration.

 UF is currently ranked as one of the top-5 best public universities, 5th according to the 2021 U.S. News & World Report of Best Colleges. UF is home to Hipergator, which ranks 3rd among university supercomputers in the nation. In addition, the Herbert Wertheim College of Engineering is currently implementing a major expansion of faculty and state-of-the-art research and education facilities with a focus on AI. The Malachowsky Hall for Data Science & Information Technology, a 260,000 sq feet facility that will serve as the hub for Artificial Intelligence, will open in Spring 2023. The College will reach 300 faculty members this year. For more information about our college initiatives, please visit http://eng.ufl.edu . The University and College count among its greatest strengths a value of broad diversity among faculty, students and staff and a robust, inclusive, and welcoming climate for learning and research. UF is committed to equal educational and employment opportunity and access and seeks individuals of all races, ethnicities, genders, and other attributes who, among their many exceptional qualifications, have a record of including a broad diversity of individuals in research and learning activities.

The University of Florida is the flagship campus of the State of Florida university system and is ranked as the #5 best public US university according to US News and World Report. UF recently announced a $70 million artificial intelligence partnership with NVIDIA to create an AI-centric data center that houses the world’s fastest AI supercomputer in higher education. For more information about the college, please visit http://eng.ufl.edu .

The University of Florida is committed to nondiscrimination 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.

$95,000

PhD in Aerospace, Mechanical Engineering, or related field is required.

• Direct working experience with deriving, creating, and implementing navigation filters from scratch
• Professional, self-starter, with ability to take direction and good team player
• Ability to work in dynamic environments and support multiple users; good creative problem solver with a commitment to assisting the team in building quality software
• Strong oral and written communication skills, ability to present technical and non-technical topics to event participants (small and medium sized groups)
• Programming experience with MATLAB, C++, Python

All applications must be submitted through UFCareers at: https://facultyjobs.hr.ufl.edu/ . (Please see Job Requisition #TBD). Complete applications must include the following files in PDF format: (1) cover letter (summary, introduction related to hiring emphasis areas and a diversity statement including experience in working with diverse and underrepresented groups in engineering); (2) a curriculum vitae (including a 1-page CV highlights); and (3) the names, addresses, phone numbers, and email addresses of three. Additional supplemental documents should be uploaded as one PDF to the “other documents” selection in the application.  For additional questions, contact Dr. Prashant Ganesh at [email protected] .

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.

The University of Florida is An Equal Employment Opportunity Institution. 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.

Application must be submitted by 11:55 p.m. (ET) of the posting end date.