Postdoctoral Researcher - Dynamics, Controls, and Vibrations (DynaGence Lab)

Postdoctoral Researcher - Dynamics, Controls, and Vibrations
(DynaGence Lab)

Job ID: 304903

Location: Marietta, Georgia

Full/Part Time: Full Time

Regular/Temporary: Regular

About Us
Are you ready to transform lives through
academic excellence, innovative research, strong community
partnerships and economic opportunity? Kennesaw State University is
one of the 50 largest public institutions in the country. With
growing enrollment and global reach, we continue to expand our
institutional influence and prominence beyond the state of Georgia.
We offer more than 190 undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral
degrees to empower over 50,000 students to become thought leaders,
lifelong learners, and informed global citizens. Our
entrepreneurial spirit, high-impact research, and Division I
athletics draw students from throughout the region and from more
than 100 countries across the globe. Our university's vibrant
culture, career opportunities, rich benefits, and values
of respect, integrity, collaboration, inclusivity, and
accountability make us an employer of choice. We are part of the
University System of Georgia. We
are searching for talented people to join Kennesaw State University
in our vision.
Come Take
Flight at KSU!

Location
(Primary Location for Job
Responsibilities) Our Kennesaw campus is located at 1000
Chastain Road NW, Kennesaw, GA 30144.

Our Marietta campus is located at 1100 South
Marietta Parkway, Marietta, GA 30060.

Department Information
DEPARTMENT SPECIFIC TASKS AND
RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Design, fabricate, and instrument bio-inspired underwater robot
testbeds, including compliant

propulsors, embedded sensing, and onboard control hardware.

2. Build and characterize acoustic metamaterial and transducer
assemblies, and 3D-printed skull and tissue-mimicking phantoms for
ultrasound testing.

3. Conduct laboratory and water-tank experiments using high-speed
imaging, hydrophones,

accelerometers, and data acquisition systems.

4. Perform system identification of measured nonlinear dynamics and
develop physics-informed

machine learning models from experimental data.

5. Design, implement, and tune adaptive and nonlinear controllers
on embedded hardware, and

validate them in closed-loop operation.

6. Develop finite element and wave-propagation models and correlate
them against experimental

measurements.

7. Provide day-to-day technical supervision of one doctoral student
and two undergraduate

researchers, including equipment training and laboratory
safety.

8. Maintain laboratory equipment, calibration records, data
management practices, and versioncontrolled analysis code.

9. Contribute preliminary data, figures, and technical text to
federal proposals to agencies such as

NSF, ONR, DARPA, AFOSR, and NIH.

DEPARTMENT SPECIFIC KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND
ABILITIES*:

¿ Knowledge of dynamical systems, vibration, and wave propagation
in solids and fluids.

¿ Skill in system identification and parameter estimation from
noisy experimental time-series data.

¿ Ability to design and implement feedback control on embedded
platforms such as

microcontrollers and ROS.

¿ Proficiency in MATLAB/Simulink and Python for modeling, signal
processing, and machine

learning.

¿ Working knowledge of finite element analysis and acoustic or
elastic wave simulation.

¿ Skill in mechanical fabrication and prototyping, including
additive manufacturing and compliant

structures.

¿ Ability to plan, execute, and document laboratory experiments
involving water tanks, acoustic

transducers, and high-speed imaging.

¿ Ability to communicate technical results in peer-reviewed
manuscripts and in federal proposal

text.

ADDITIONAL QUALIFICATIONS: (Preferred
qualifications)

¿ Ph.D. in mechanical engineering, aerospace engineering,
electrical engineering, applied

physics, or a closely related field.

Disclaimer*

The above information is intended to describe the general nature
and level of work being performed by people assigned to this
position. It is not

intended to be an exhaustive list of responsibilities, duties and
skills required of personnel so classified.

Other duties may be assigned at the discretion of the leader,
director or manager.

Please provide all employees with a copy of this position
description and maintain a signed copy in the employee¿s Personnel
File.

¿ Research experience in acoustics, ultrasound, guided elastic
waves, or vibration-based

measurement.

¿ Experience with bio-inspired locomotion, soft or compliant
robotics, or underwater or aerial

vehicle testing.

¿ Familiarity with reservoir computing, nonlinear oscillator
dynamics, or analog and neuromorphic

computation.

¿ Experience with computer vision, high-speed imaging, or
multi-camera motion tracking.

¿ Prior participation in federally funded research (DoD, NIH, NASA,
or NSF) and contribution to

proposal preparation.

¿ Teaching or formal mentoring experience consists of an academic
career path.

Job Summary
Postdoctoral Researchers support teams of
KSU faculty and students (undergraduate and graduate students),
which engage with external collaborators from other universities,
community members, government agencies, and/or private sector
entities to stimulate innovation, capacity-building, and
sustainability of research and scholarly activity at KSU.

This position is
considered limited-term staff since it utilizes contingent funding
which is currently only secured through June 30, 2028, or 18 months
from the position start date, whichever occurs first. Employment
thereafter will be conditional based on continued availability of
funding.

Responsibilities
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Plans and executes experimental activities, data analyses,
submission of reports or of manuscripts to peer-reviewed
publications, and/or attendance and presentation of research
findings at appropriate venues of dissemination

2. Develops and contributes to new ideas for research proposals and
directions within the research group

3. Develops an Individual Development Plan (IDP) in collaboration
with faculty mentor

4. Generates revenue by securing grants and participates in
departmental and institutional career development programs, such as
grant writing workshops

5. Prepares project budget and ensures funded project operates
within budget guidelines

6. Maintains official records and documents, and ensures compliance
with institutional policies, and federal, state and local
regulations

7. Establishes working relationships and cooperative arrangements
with internal and external partners

8. Engages in research and publication

Required Qualifications
Educational Requirements

Ph.D. or equivalent doctorate (e.g. D.V.M, Sc.D., M.D., PharmD.,
etc.) from an accredited institution of higher education or
obtainment of doctorate degree within six (6) months of hire

Preferred Qualifications
Preferred Educational
Qualifications

An undergraduate or advanced degree from an accredited institution
of higher education in a related field

Proposed Salary
The budgeted salary range is $51,600 to $60,000. Offers
are based on relevant experience.Comprehensive benefits to
include Medical, Dental, Vision, 13 paid holidays, vacation,
generous retirement plans, tuition waiver, wellness options, and
much more! Visit hr.kennesaw.edu/benefits.

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities
ABILITIES

Able to meet eligibility requirements for work in the United States
at the time the appointment is scheduled to begin and to continue
working legally for the proposed term of the appointment

Able to handle multiple tasks or projects simultaneously to meet
assigned deadlines

KNOWLEDGE

Demonstrated ability to carry out independent and collaborative
research on a team of faculty and students with the ability to meet
deliverables and milestones

Demonstrated creative and proactive approach towards problem
solving

Knowledge of and experience in general analytical methods
development and good analytical practices

Maintains a working knowledge of significant developments and
trends in the field

SKILLS

Outstanding proposal and paper writing skills

Excellent interpersonal, initiative, teamwork, problem-solving,
organization, communication (verbal and written), time management,
project management, and presentation skills

Proficient with computer applications and programs associated with
the position (i.e. Microsoft Office suite)

Strong attention to detail and follow-up skills

Strong customer service skills and phone and e-mail etiquette

Refer to the department specific Research Addendum for additional
KSA information

USG Core Values
The University System of Georgia is comprised of our 25
institutions of higher education and learning as well as the System
Office. Our USG Statement of Core Values are Integrity, Excellence,
Accountability, and Respect. These values serve as the foundation
for all that we do as an organization, and each USG community
member is responsible for demonstrating and upholding these
standards. More details on the USG Statement of Core Values and
Code of Conduct are available in USG Board Policy 8.2.18.1.2 and
can be found on-line at
https://www.usg.edu/policymanual/section8/C224/#p8.2.18_personnel_conduct.

Additionally, USG supports Freedom of Expression as stated in
Board Policy 6.5 Freedom of Expression and Academic Freedom found
on-line at https://www.usg.edu/policymanual/section6/C2653.

Equal Employment Opportunity
Kennesaw State University is an Equal
Employment Opportunity Employer. The University is committed to
maintaining a fair and respectful environment for living, work and
study. To that end, and in accordance with federal and state law,
Board of Regents policy, and University policy, the University
prohibits harassment of or discrimination against any person
because of race, color, sex (including sexual harassment,
pregnancy, and medical conditions related to pregnancy), sexual
orientation, gender identity, gender expression, ethnicity or
national origin, religion, age, genetic information, disability, or
veteran or military status by any member of the KSU Community on
campus, in connection with a University program or activity, or in
a manner that creates a hostile environment for members of the KSU
community.

For additional information on this policy, or to file a complaint
under the provisions of this policy, students, employees,
applicants for employment or admission or other third parties
should contact the Office of Institutional Equity at English
Building, Suite 225, eeo@kennesaw.edu.

Other Information
This is not a supervisory position.

This position does not have any financial responsibilities.

This position will not be required to drive.

This role is not considered a position of trust.

This position does not require a purchasing card (P-Card).

This position does not require security clearance.

This position may travel 1%-24% of the time.

Background Check

• Standard Enhanced
• Education

Per the University System of Georgia background check policy,
all final candidates will be required to consent to a criminal
background investigation. Final candidates may be asked to disclose
criminal record history during the initial screening process and
prior to a conditional offer of employment. Applicants for
positions of trust with screening results which confirm a
disqualifying criminal history will be immediately disqualified
from employment eligibility

All applicants are required to include professional references
as part of their application process. Some positions may require
additional job-based screenings such as motor vehicle report,
credit check, pre-employment drug screening and/or verification of
academic credentials.

https://www.usg.edu/hr/assets/hr/hrap_manual/HRAP_Background_Investigation_Employment.pdf

To apply, visit https://careers.hprod.onehcm.usg.edu/psp/careers/CAREERS/HRMS/c/HRS_HRAM_FL.HRS_CG_SEARCH_FL.GBL?Page=HRS_APP_JBPST_FL&Action=U&FOCUS=Applicant&SiteId=43000&JobOpeningId=304903&PostingSeq=1

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