Job Details

Type: Full-Time

Salary: $58,656

Posted: 10/08/2025

Category: Aerospace Engineering

Position ID: 31514BR

Postdoctoral Researcher – Computational Turbulence Laboratory

Department of Aerospace Engineering
University of Kansas

Position Overview

The Department of Aerospace Engineering at the University of Kansas invites applications for a Postdoctoral Researcher position in the Computational Turbulence Laboratory (CTLab). The successful candidate will conduct advanced research on wall-bounded turbulent flows over rough and porous surfaces across subsonic to hypersonic regimes.

This position emphasizes the development of high-fidelity CFD methods, theoretical modeling, and data-driven techniques to study turbulence, aero-thermo-acoustics, and flow-surface interactions.

This is a limited-term, one-year appointment with potential for renewal based on performance and funding.

Job Description

50% – Research & Method Development

• Perform high-fidelity simulations of turbulent flows over rough and porous surfaces.

• Develop and implement models for turbulence, roughness, and porous-media interactions.

• Analyze and interpret data to enhance understanding of wall-bounded turbulence.

20% – Collaboration & Mentorship

• Work closely with PI, graduate, and undergraduate students to achieve project goals.

• Provide guidance on CFD, numerical methods, and HPC workflows.

15% – Publication & Dissemination

• Prepare and submit manuscripts to peer-reviewed journals.

• Present research findings at international conferences and workshops.

10% – Proposal & Reporting Support

• Assist with sponsor reports and new proposal development (NASA, NSF, DOE, etc.).

5% – Laboratory Engagement & Outreach

• Participate in CTLab seminars and outreach activities within the department.

Required Qualifications

• Ph.D. in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Applied Physics, or a closely related field at the time of appointment.

• Demonstrated expertise in fluid dynamics and turbulence research.

• Experience in CFD (DNS, LES, or RANS) and high-performance computing (MPI, GPU, or parallel solvers).

• Proven record of peer-reviewed publications in relevant areas.

• Strong programming skills (Fortran, C/C++, Python, or Julia).

• Excellent written and oral communication skills.

Note: Appointment requires verified Ph.D. completion prior to start date.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with turbulence over rough walls, porous media, or complex geometries.

• Knowledge of supersonic/hypersonic flow regimes.

• Familiarity with machine learning or data-driven modeling.

• Experience mentoring students or collaborating in multi-disciplinary research teams.

• Background in developing high-order numerical methods.

• Record of presenting at international conferences.

Application Instructions

A complete application package must include:

1. Online application form

2. Resume or CV

3. Cover letter

4. Names and contact information for three professional references

Contact:
Dr. Mostafa Aghaei-Jouybari
📧 mostafa@ku.edu

Review of applications begins October 18, 2025, and continues until the position is filled.
Anticipated Start Date: November 3, 2025

Additional Information

• Primary Campus: University of Kansas – Lawrence Campus

• FTE: 1.0

• Work Schedule: Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM

• Work Location: On-Site

• Employee Class: U – Unclassified Professional Staff

• FLSA Status: Professional

• Job Family: Research – KUL

• Conditions of Employment: Limited Term

Equal Opportunity Statement

The University of Kansas prohibits discrimination based on race, color, ethnicity, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, and genetic information. Retaliation for reporting discrimination is also prohibited.

Inquiries:

Office of Civil Rights and Title IX
📧 civilrights@ku.edu
📍 Room 1082, Dole Human Development Center, 1000 Sunnyside Avenue, Lawrence, KS 66045
📞 785-864-6414 | 711 TTY