Research Openings

Please contact Prof. Will Northrop at [email protected] with questions regarding opportunities.

MERL Post-Doctoral Associate

Qualifications

Required qualifications:
• A PhD in mechanical engineering with emphasis in machine learning or PhD in computer science with domain expertise in transportation
• Demonstrated research experience in transportation and/or vehicle systems
• Previous experience with scientific computing software and database software including MySQL
• Ability and high self-motivation to work productively both independently and as part of a highly diverse interdisciplinary team
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills in English

Preferred qualifications:
• Experience in electric vehicle data analytics and/or battery technology
• Strong publication record as a first author in peer-reviewed conference and journal papers
• Knowledge of data collection from vehicles including CAN, J1939 and OBD protocols
• Strong interest in entrepreneurship and translational research projects
• Experience in writing research funding proposals
• Experience in helping to supervise undergraduate and/or graduate students

About the Job

MERL is located about 10 minutes east of the University of Minnesota East Bank campus, and is available via bus routes 3A & 3B to Como Ave SE & 29th Ave SE. On-street parking also available. We are recruiting a fully funded postdoctoral research position to research the use of machine learning and data science to analyze the performance and efficiency of electrified vehicles. The work will mainly be part of a large research grant to develop intelligent energy management systems for regional delivery trucks.

A successful candidate will demonstrate strong work ethic, communication skills and self-motivation. The position is for a minimum of two years, annually renewable depending on available funding.

Vehicle and Data Science Research - 70%
The postdoctoral associate will mainly conduct research in the area of using large amounts of vehicle data to estimate the future performance of electrified vehicles. The work will include building physics-based vehicle simulations, developing machine learning algorithms, and using spatiotemporal data analytics to examine vehicle performance.

Administration and writing - 30%
Postdoctoral associates are by and works in conjunction with their faculty mentor who determines the training agenda. As part of the postdoctoral tenure, the appointee will assist with the supervision of graduate students and undergraduate research assistants. They are expected to participate in preparation and presentation of data to the principal investigators. The appointee is expected to author, co-author, and otherwise collaborate on reports, conference papers, and high-impact peer reviewed journals.

About the Department

The T.E. Murphy Engine Research Laboratory is dedicated to engines, alternative fuels, and emissions research. The newly renovated, 6,000-square-foot lab opened in 2013 and is located near the University’s East Bank campus. The lab is named in honor of former mechanical engineering professor Thomas E. Murphy, who was the founding director of the engines program at UMN. Among the lab’s features are two transient double-ended dynamometer test cells equipped with state-of-the-art instruments and control systems.

The Department of Mechanical Engineering has an internationally recognized faculty and is part of the College of Science and Engineering, the highly interdisciplinary college of engineering, physical sciences, and mathematics.

How To Apply

DIRECTIONS:
1. Select the  link to access our careers site. 
2. Sign In to access your account or if you are not an existing user select the New User link to create one. 
3. Review the job description and select the Apply button to begin your application.

https://hr.myu.umn.edu/jobs/ext/335890
You will be given the opportunity to complete an online application for the position and attach a cover letter, detailed academic CV (including list of publications), and contact information of up to three professional references.

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.

To request an accommodation during the application process, please e-mail [email protected] or call (612) 624-UOHR (8647).