Postdoctoral Associate

Job Description

The PHASE research group within the Kevin T. Crofton Department of Aerospace and Ocean Engineering at Virginia Tech invites applications for a postdoctoral researcher position in Hypersonic Aerodynamics. The successful candidate will play a key role in developing and advancing new measurement systems for the department’s Hypersonic blowdown wind tunnel and conducting cutting‑edge research into hypersonic phenomena. This position is based at Virginia Tech’s main campus in Blacksburg, VA.

Specific tasks include designing and leading wind tunnel experiments into hypersonic phenomena, particularly turbulence in the boundary layer; developing new high‑speed measurement techniques, particularly using optical diagnostics methods; augmenting experimental data with Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) simulations.

More information on Prof. Liselle Joseph and the PHASE research group can be found at https://(Use the "Apply for this Job" box below)..

This role offers opportunities for teaching and service‑related activities to successful candidates.

• Ph.D. in Aerospace or Mechanical Engineering by the time of appointment
• Demonstrated expertise in experimental methods for hypersonic testing facilities
• Expertise in one or more optical diagnostics methods for high‑speed flows
• Experience with hypersonic CFD codes, such as US3D
• Proficiency in Lab View
• Proficiency in MATLAB
• A proven track record of peer‑reviewed publications

• Expertise in high‑speed turbulent flows
• Experience developing novel measurement techniques in hypersonic wind tunnels such as temperature/pressure sensitive paints, infrared thermography, PLIF, FLDI, etc.
• Proficiency in Python
• Experience running simulations with high performance computing (HPC) resources
• Strong communication skills
• Experience mentoring graduate or undergraduate students

The successful candidate will be required to have a criminal conviction check.

Virginia Tech does not discriminate against employees, students, or applicants on the basis of age, color, disability, sex (including pregnancy), gender, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information, ethnicity or national origin, political affiliation, race, religion, sexual orientation, or military status, or otherwise discriminate against employees or applicants who inquire about, discuss, or disclose their compensation or the compensation of other employees or applicants, or on any other basis protected by law.

If you are an individual with a disability and desire an accommodation, please contact Cory Thompson at coryt
10 during regular business hours at least 10 business days prior to the event.