Post Doctoral Scholar

The Opportunity

The postdoctoral scholar with support a DARPA project focused on developing predictive pressure load models for external hypersonics aerodynamics. The postdoc will develop these data-informed models in collaboration with researchers at another university and an industry partner, and our own group at UCF. The postdoc will be responsible for rigorous model development, testing, and deployment to solve the demonstration problems.

Postdoc will also write scientific journal articles, present novel research at technical conferences, attend collaborator meetings, and contribute to the quarterly project reports. To a lesser extent, the postdoc will help with mentoring of junior researchers in the group.

Minimum Qualifications

Must have a Ph.D. in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering with experience with machine learning tools, Python, and end-to-end training paradigms. Past experience in high-speed aerodynamics.

Preferred Qualifications

• Multiphysics modeling experience focused on fluid-thermal-structural interactions.
• Prior work on developing generalizable and explainable ML models.
• Design of physics based loss functions in data-informed modeling frameworks.
• Direct experience with high-speed surface pressure models and panel methods.

Additional Application Materials Required

UCF requires all applications and supporting documents to be submitted electronically through the Human Resources employment opportunities website, In addition to the online application, interested candidates should upload the following:

• A curriculum vitae.

Note

• Please have all documents ready when applying so they can be simultaneously uploaded. Once the online submission process is finalized, the system does not allow applicants to submit additional documents later.
• The selected candidate will be required to submit official transcripts (and, as applicable, U.S. degree equivalency evaluations) documenting the conferral of their qualifying academic credentials.

Special Instructions to the Applicants

All applicants must be authorized to work for any U.S. employer. H-1B visa sponsorship is not available for this position, and the university cannot accommodate H-1B transfers or employment-based visa processing for individuals currently sponsored by another employer.

Job Close Date: 11/29/2026

Are you ready to unleash YOUR potential?

As a next-generation public research university and Forbes-ranked top employer in Florida, we are a community of thinkers, doers, creators, innovators, healers, and leaders striving to create broader prosperity and help shape a better future. No matter what your role is, when you join Knight Nation, you'll play an integral role at one of the most impactful universities in the country.

You'll be met with opportunities to connect and collaborate with talented faculty, staff, and students across 13 colleges and multiple campuses, engaging in impactful work that makes a positive difference.

Your time at UCF will provide you with many meaningful opportunities to grow, you'll work alongside talented colleagues on complex projects that will challenge you and help you gain new skills and you'll have countless rewarding experiences that go well beyond a paycheck.

Unless explicitly stated on the job posting, it is UCF's expectation that an employee of UCF will reside in Florida as of the date the employment begins.

Additional Requirements related to Research Positions

Pursuant to Florida State Statute 1010.35, prior to offering employment to certain individuals in research-related positions, UCF is required to conduct additional screening. Applicants subject to additional screening include any citizen of a foreign country who is not a permanent resident of the U.S., or who is a citizen or permanent resident but is affiliated with or has had at least 1 year of education, employment, or training in China, Cuba, Iran, Russia, North Korea, Syria, or Venezuela.

The additional screening requirements only apply to research-related positions, including, but not limited to faculty, graduate positions, individuals compensated by research grants or contract funds, post-doctoral positions, undergraduate positions, visiting assistant professors, and visiting research associates.

Department

College of Engineering and Computer Science (CECS) - Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering (MAE)

• Work Schedule
• Monday - Friday, 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
• Type of Appointment
• Fixed Term (Fixed Term)
• Expected Salary $68,000.00

Additional information

As a Florida public university, the University of Central Florida makes all application materials and selection procedures available to the public upon request.

UCF is proud to be a smoke-free campus and an E-Verify employer.