Job Title Postdoctoral Research Associate (Space Strategic Technical Institute) Agency Prairie View A&M University Department Electrical Engineering Proposed Minimum Salary Commensurate Job Location Prairie View, Texas Job Type Staff Job Description The Postdoctoral Research Associate will work on the research project for Space Strategic Technical Institute for In Space Operations (SSTI). He/she will be responsible for simulations, testing, and creating modules using MuJoCo on a flywheel. This position is funded by a grant or restricted funds. Continued employment is contingent on the renewal of grant or restricted funding. Responsibilities: Tasks + Develop and implement detailed physical models of flywheel systems using MuJoCo (Multi-Joint dynamics with Contact) and other simulations software. + Create simulations to replicate real-world dynamics and behaviors of flywheels, focusing on aspects like rotational motion, energy storage, and system efficiency. + Optimize simulation parameters for accuracy and performance, ensuring that results align with experimental data. Module & Integration Procedures + Design and implement computational modules that simulate various physical and mechanical aspects of the flywheel system (e.g., torque, friction, energy transfer). + Collaborate with engineers and researchers to integrate these modules into existing simulation environments or control. + Develop customizable components that allow for easy parameter adjustments for different simulation scenarios or experimental setups. Analysis Results + Conduct rigorous testing of simulation outputs against experimental results to validate model accuracy and system behavior. + Troubleshoot discrepancies between simulations and physical tests, adjusting the models or parameters as needed. + Perform sensitivity analyses to understand how variations in input parameters affect the system's performance. Data Collection and Reporting: + Analyze simulation and experimental data to extract meaningful insights about the flywheel system's performance. + Prepare detailed reports and presentations of findings, including charts, graphs, and model comparisons, for internal teams and external collaborators. + Publish research results in peer-reviewed journals, conferences, or workshops related to robotics, control systems, and mechanical engineering. Collaboration with Undergraduate Team: + Work closely with interdisciplinary teams, including mechanical engineers, electrical engineers, and control theorists, to enhance the performance of flywheel-based systems. + Provide expertise in MuJoCo simulations and physical modeling techniques to support ongoing research and development projects. + Mentor graduate students and junior researchers in the use of MuJoCo and simulation methods. Continuous Research Innovation: + Stay updated with advancements in simulation technology, mechanical modeling, and flywheel research to continuously improve modeling techniques. + Propose innovative approaches to improve flywheel design, performance, or control algorithms based on simulation insights. + Document simulation processes, code, and model assumptions to ensure reproducibility and transparency in research. + Develop and maintain a library of reusable code modules and simulation templates for future research projects. + Other duties as assigned. Required Education & Experience. + A Ph.D. in fields like Mechanical Engineering, Robotics, Computer Science, Physics, Applied Mathematics, or related disciplines. The candidate should have a strong background in dynamics, control systems, or computational methods. + Experience in Simulation: Experience with physics simulations, especially in areas like rigid body dynamics, robotics, or biomechanics. Familiarity with simulation tools like MuJoCo, Bullet, or similar physics engines is usually required. + Research Experience: Previous research experience, ideally in robotics, artificial intelligence, machine learning, or computational physics, would be beneficial. A track record of publishing in peer-reviewed journals or conferences could also be advantageous. + Programming Proficiency: Proficiency in programming languages such as Python, C++, or MATLAB. MuJoCo can be controlled via Python, so expertise in Python scripting for simulation control is often essential. Required Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities: + Understanding of Rigid Body Dynamics: Strong theoretical and practical knowledge of rigid body dynamics, including collision detection, contact forces, and multi-body dynamics systems. Understanding how to simulate these with high accuracy is crucial for MuJoCo simulations. + Experience with MuJoCo: In-depth experience with MuJoCo, including modeling environments, simulating multi-agent systems, and utilizing the solver features of the simulator. Familiarity with its API for setting up and running experiments is necessary. + Analytical Skills: The ability to analyze and interpret the results of simulations. Understanding how to improve accuracy and efficiency within a simulation and being able to optimize complex models and simulations. + AI: Familiarity with reinforcement learning or other machine learning techniques, as they are commonly applied in simulations for training robots or agents within a simulated environment. + Computational Efficiency and Optimization: A solid understanding of optimization techniques, numerical methods, and parallel computing to improve the performance and efficiency of simulations, especially when scaling to larger systems. + Communication and Collaboration: Strong written and verbal communication skills for presenting research findings, writing academic papers, and collaborating with team members and stakeholders in multi-disciplinary projects. Preferred Qualifications: + Experience with Reinforcement Learning: Experience in applying reinforcement learning (RL) in simulated environments like MuJoCo for training robotic agents, optimizing control policies, or implementing new RL algorithms. + Experience in Robotics: Experience working with robotic platforms (hardware and/or simulation) and applying simulation results to real-world systems. + Familiarity with Other Simulation Frameworks: Knowledge of other simulation engines or libraries like Open AI Gym, Gazebo, or Unity’s ML-Agents would be a plus, especially if integrated with MuJoCo or used for research purposes. + Publications in High-Impact Journals/Conferences: A demonstrated history of publishing in leading journals and conferences in areas like robotics, artificial intelligence, machine learning, or computational physics would be beneficial. + Experience in High-Performance Computing: Familiarity with running large-scale simulations on high-performance computing clusters and experience with parallel computing techniques (e.g., CUDA, MPI). Job Posting Close Date: + 02/14/2025 Required Attachments: Please attach all required documents listed below in the attachment box labeled as either “Resume/CV or Resume/Cover Letter” on the application. Multiple attachments may be included in the “Resume/CV” or Resume/Cover Letter” attachment box.  Any additional attachments provided outside of the required documents listed below are considered optional. + Resume or Curriculum Vitae + Cover Letter Application Submission Guidelines: All applicants are required to apply via our Career Site on or before the closing date indicated on the job posting. Applicant inquiries received via email and websites such as Indeed, HigherEdJobs , etc. will not be considered unless the individual has applied to the available position via the PVAMU Career site. The required documents listed in the above "Required Attachments" section must be attached to the application prior to the job closing date indicated to ensure full consideration for the application submitted . Please contact the Office of Human Resource on or before the closing date indicated above at 936-261-1730 or jobs@pvamu.edu should you need assistance with the online application process. Background Check Requirements: All positions are security-sensitive . Applicants are subject to a criminal history investigation, and employment is contingent upon the institution’s verification of credentials and/or other information required by the institution’s procedures, including the completion of the criminal history check. Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action/Veterans/Disability Employer. All positions are security-sensitive. Applicants are subject to a criminal history investigation, and employment is contingent upon the institution’s verification of credentials and/or other information required by the institution’s procedures, including the completion of the criminal history check. Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action/Veterans/Disability Employer. For more than 140 years, Prairie View A&M University (PVAMU) has been igniting passion in its students. With an established reputation for producing engineers, nurses, and educators, PVAMU offers baccalaureate degrees, master’s degrees, and doctoral degree programs through nine colleges and schools. The University has an enrollment of more than 8,500 students. Designated an institution of “the first class” in the Texas Constitution, PVAMU is the second-oldest public institution of higher education in the state and a member of The Texas A&M University System.  The University is dedicated to fulfilling its land-grant mission of achieving excellence in teaching, research, and service. PVAMU is conveniently located near the rapidly growing residential and commercial area known as the Northwest Houston Corridor. The developing Northwest Houston Corridor offers newly developed suburban communities, a variety of shopping and dining near the Houston Premium Outlets and is a short, 35-minute commute into downtown Houston. For more information, visit www.pvamu.edu . Your career opportunities with a “University of the First Class” begins here! Prairie View A&M University is an Equal Opportunity/ Affirmative Action/ Veterans/ Disability Employer. 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