Staff Scientist - Engineering

Location

ST. LOUIS, MO 63130

Scheduled Hours

37.5

Position Summary

Scientist will conduct and lead advanced theoretical, computational, and experimental research on ultrasonic thin-film atomization and pintle-based liquid atomization, primarily for the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) FLARE project and secondarily for the Office of Naval Research (ONR) PLIANT project, if permanent residency is obtained. The work will produce validated physical understanding, automated rule extraction, and predictive design tools for high-speed, combustion-ready injectors, and seek understanding of the physics underpinning ultrasound-driven atomization, a highly nonlinear and heretofore unexplained phenomena. Other work outside these specific duties may be required from time to time in research-related tasks.

Job Description

Primary Duties & Responsibilities:

• Lead theoretical and mathematical modeling of ultrasonic thin-film and pintle atomization, interfacial instabilities, acoustic streaming, and wave-fluid interactions for DARPA FLARE and ONR PLIANT.
• Design and conduct experiments on acoustically driven thin films and pintle-based liquid atomization using high-speed imaging, acoustic/electrical characterization, and flow measurements; validate models and identify operating regimes.
• Develop numerical simulation, data-analysis, and machine-learning/automated rule-extraction workflows that integrate experiments and theory into predictive injector-design tools.
• Analyze data with appropriate uncertainty quantification; maintain reproducible code, datasets, experimental records, and protocols; uphold laboratory safety and research-quality standards.
• Prepare sponsor reports and deliverables, peer-reviewed manuscripts, presentations, and material for DARPA/ONR technical reviews; communicate findings clearly to technical and nontechnical audiences.
• Coordinate research with project investigators and external collaborators; provide technical mentoring to graduate and undergraduate researchers and contribute to laboratory and project planning.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Job Location / Working Conditions:

Primary work location is the WashU Danforth Campus, with duties divided between office/computational and laboratory settings. Occasional travel to sponsor reviews or collaborator sites and occasional work outside standard hours may be required for experiments and publication or project deadlines.

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by people assigned to this classification. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all job duties performed by the personnel so classified. Management reserves the right to revise or amend duties at any time.

Required Qualifications

Education:

Master’s degree or combination of education and/or experience may substitute for minimum education.

Certifications/Professional Licenses:

No specific certification/professional license is required for this position.

Work Experience:

Laboratory Operations (3 Years)

Skills:

Not Applicable

Driver's License:

A driver's license is not required for this position.

More About This Job

Preferred Qualifications:

• Ph.D. in mechanical engineering, chemical engineering, aerospace engineering, applied physics, applied mathematics, or a closely related field.
• At least two years of postdoctoral or equivalent post-Ph.D. research experience in fluid mechanics, acoustofluidics, multiphase/interfacial flows, atomization, or a related field, with a demonstrated record of peer-reviewed scholarship, advanced mathematics skills beyond graduate level, and applied fluid physics expertise beyond graduate level.
• Five or more years of post-Ph.D. research experience.
• Demonstrated research in MHz-order acoustics or surface acoustic waves, thin-film dynamics, acoustic streaming, atomization, micro/nanofluidics, and mathematical/numerical modeling.
• Experience leading funded projects, collaborating across institutions, and mentoring graduate researchers.
• Experience with, or demonstrated ability to learn, machine-learning methods for scientific discovery.
• Advanced command of fluid dynamics, acoustofluidics, multiphase/interfacial transport, and applied mathematics.
• Ability to formulate and solve governing equations and connect theory, computation, and experiment.
• Proficiency in scientific computing, numerical modeling, and quantitative data analysis.
• Experience with acoustic/ultrasonic instrumentation, high-speed imaging, and microfluidic or spray experiments; strong experimental design, uncertainty analysis, scientific writing, project organization, collaboration, and mentoring skills.
• Ability to develop or rapidly learn machine-learning and automated-discovery tools.

Preferred Qualifications

Education:

Ph.D. - Doctor of Philosophy

Certifications/Professional Licenses:

No additional certification/professional licenses unless stated elsewhere in the job posting.

Work Experience:

No additional work experience unless stated elsewhere in the job posting.

Skills:

Analytical Problem Solving, Communication, Computer Literacy, Data Analysis, Data Interpretations

Grade

R10

Salary Range

$48,000.00 - $86,900.00 / AnnuallyThe salary range reflects base salaries paid for positions in a given job grade across the University. Individual rates within the range will be determined by factors including one's qualifications and performance, equity with others in the department, market rates for positions within the same grade and department budget.

Questions

For frequently asked questions about the application process, please refer to our External Applicant FAQ.

Accommodation

If you are unable to use our online application system and would like an accommodation, please email[email protected] or call the dedicated accommodation inquiry number at 314-935-1149 and leave a voicemail with the nature of your request.

All qualified individuals must be able to perform the essential functions of the position satisfactorily and, if requested, reasonable accommodations will be made to enable employees with disabilities to perform the essential functions of their job, absent undue hardship.

Pre-Employment Screening

All external candidates receiving an offer for employment will be required to submit to pre-employment screening for this position. The screenings will include criminal background check and, as applicable for the position, other background checks, drug screen, an employment and education or licensure/certification verification, physical examination, certain vaccinations and/or governmental registry checks. All offers are contingent upon successful completion of required screening.

Benefits Statement

Personal

• Up to 22 days of vacation, 10 recognized holidays, and sick time.

• Competitive health insurance packages with priority appointments and lower copays/coinsurance.

• Take advantage of our free Metro transit U-Pass for eligible employees.

• WashU provides eligible employees with a defined contribution (403(b)) Retirement Savings Plan, which combines employee contributions and university contributions starting at 7%.

Wellness

• Wellness challenges, annual health screenings, mental health resources, mindfulness programs and courses, employee assistance program (EAP), financial resources, access to dietitians, and more!

Family

• We offer 4 weeks of caregiver leave to bond with your new child. Family care resources are also available for your continued childcare needs. Need adult care? We’ve got you covered.

• WashU covers the cost of tuition for you and your family, including dependent undergraduate-level college tuition up to 100% at WashU and 40% elsewhere after seven years with us.

For policies, detailed benefits, and eligibility, please visit: https://hr.wustl.edu/benefits/

EEO Statement

Washington University in St. Louis is committed to the principles and practices of equal employment opportunity. It is the University’s policy to provide equal opportunity and access to persons in all job titles without regard to race, ethnicity, color, national origin, citizenship (where prohibited by federal law), age, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, protected veteran status, or genetic information.