Post Doctoral Scholar, Physics

The Opportunity (Job description):

The Mc Keown Group in the University of Central Florida (UCF) Department of Physics in the College of Sciences seeks to hire a Postdoctoral Scholar to help set up the new FROSTIE lab, aimed at investigating icy planetary surface processes under simulated planetary conditions. The postdoctoral scholar will have the opportunity to research icy geomorphological signatures of seasonal processes on Mars and transient liquid water activity relevant for icy airless worlds. The successful candidate will lead design, integration and testing of cryo-vacuum regulation and data acquisition systems. The scholar’s technical expertise will be integral to the successful completion of cutting-edge experiments investigating the roles of ice sublimation and endogenic liquid water activity in modifying the surfaces of Mars, Europa and small bodies. The scholar would begin the position as soon as possible and serve for 24 months, extendable upon the availability of funds and mutual agreement of the scholar and the supervisor.

Responsibilities:

• Lead the development of two planetary simulation thermal-vacuum chambers that will replicate conditions on Mars and Europa, including implementation of cryo-cooling and thermal regulation systems and vacuum pumps
• Design and integrate data acquisition systems to read pressure and temperature under simulated Mars and Europa conditions
• Design and integrate a brine flow system to the `SLUSHIE’ Europa chamber to flow liquid water/brines into near-vacuum
• Install a solar simulator on the `SANDIE’ Mars chamber and implement an appropriate data acquisition system
• The successful candidate will collaborate closely with Dr. Mc Keown and a PhD student to run experiments of CO2 and water sublimation under low pressure conditions, as well as develop 3D topographic models of surface change for comparison with morphometric analysis of visible remote-sensing observations of Mars and icy worlds

Minimum Qualifications:

• PhD in engineering, planetary science or any related field
• Experience working with cryogenic thermal-vacuum systems
• Experience developing electrical systems and data acquisition with Python or LabView

Preferred Qualifications:

• Expertise in planetary geomorphology is not necessary although some knowledge of volatile/regolith interactions with ices in vacuum and/or development of icy simulants would be preferred
• Technical experience in environmental test engineering
• Strong programming skills, ideally related to operating robotic systems
• Ability to engage in creative technical troubleshooting

Additional Application Materials Required:

UCF requires all applications and supporting documents to be submitted electronically through the Human Resources employment opportunities website, https://www.ucf.edu/jobs/.  In addition to the online application, candidates should upload:

• CV/Resume
• Cover letter
• 3 professional references with contact information

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.

NOTE: When applying, please have all your documents ready to upload at the same time. Once the online submission process is finalized, the system does not allow applicants to submit additional documents later.

Special Instructions to the Applicants: Please contact Dr. Lauren Mc Keown (lauren.mc.keown@ucf.edu) for questions related to this position

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.

Are Benefits Important to You?

State Benefits eligibility for OPS employees are subject to criteria established by the State of Florida. The state’s benefits administrator, People First, determines eligibility and coordinates enrollment. If this position becomes eligible for state benefits the employee will be notified directly by People First.  OPS positions are not entitled to paid time off. 

This position offers a professional development budget for travel and publication costs as well as robust career mentoring.

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.

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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. 

If an accommodation due to a disability is needed to apply for this position, please call 407-823-1336 or email onac@ucf.edu.