Chemical Kinetics Modeling Engineer

About the Role

Join the University of Dayton Research Institute (UDRI) as a Chemical Kinetics Modeling Engineer, where you will develop powerful fuel flow and chemistry simulations. This role focuses on leading the development, numerical optimization, and validation of chemical kinetic mechanisms for complex aviation fuels and surrogate models. You will utilize advanced computational tools and mathematical optimization techniques to align theoretical chemical models with experimental reactor data, bridging fundamental physical chemistry, reaction engineering, and applied computational fluid dynamics (CFD) to support advanced propulsion, thermal management, and energy system modeling.

Responsibilities

• Develop, optimize, and validate chemical kinetic mechanisms for complex aviation fuels and surrogate models.
• Use advanced computational tools and numerical optimization techniques to refine theoretical chemical models.
• Process and interpret experimental datasets to validate computational models.
• Collaborate with teams to integrate chemical kinetics with fluid dynamics software for reacting flow simulations.
• Present technical findings to management and stakeholders.

Requirements

• Master’s degree in Chemical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Chemistry, or a closely related STEM field, plus a minimum of 3 years of relevant research experience (or a Bachelor’s degree with 5+ years of highly specialized experience).
• Proficiency with chemical kinetics modeling software (e.g., Cantera, Chemkin).
• Experience with fluid dynamics software (coursework may be acceptable if other criteria are met).
• Strong programming skills in Python or equivalent, with expertise in scientific computing and numerical optimization libraries.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. Department of Defense security clearance.
• U.S. citizenship is required due to federal government research contract requirements.

Preferred Qualifications

• Ph.D. in Engineering (Chemical, Mechanical, or Aerospace) plus 5 years of relevant research experience.
• At least one degree (B.S., M.S., or Ph.D.) specifically in Chemical Engineering or Chemistry.
• Experience coupling chemical kinetics with fluid dynamics software (e.g., ANSYS Fluent) for reacting flow simulations.
• Expertise in surrogate fuel formulation, structural constraint modeling, and hierarchical mechanism tuning.
• Familiarity with interpreting high-resolution analytical chemistry data (e.g., GCxGC).

Benefits

• Comprehensive health coverage.
• Retirement contributions.
• Professional development opportunities.

Informed by its Catholic and Marianist mission, the University is committed to the dignity of every human being and seeks to increase diversity, achieve fair outcomes, and model inclusion across its campus community.