Postdoctoral Scholar (ISM)

Department: Institute for Sustainable Manufacturing, Lexington, KY – Full-time, 40 hours/week (Monday – Friday, 8:00am – 5:00pm)

About the role

The postdoctoral researcher will assist the faculty PI and Co-PIs in advancing materials and manufacturing processes in collaboration with research partners at DEVCOM Army Research Laboratory (ARL) and industry. The position focuses on additive manufacturing processes, including solid-state and fusion-based methods such as Additive Friction Stir Deposition (AFSD), cold spray, and laser powder bed fusion (LPBF), with an emphasis on establishing process–structure–property relationships through integrated experimental and modeling approaches.

Responsibilities

• Design and conduct experiments to evaluate process–structure relationships in additively manufactured materials.
• Develop and implement analytical and numerical modeling approaches for thermal, thermo-mechanical, and plastic deformation behavior, as well as defect formation.
• Perform microstructural characterization using techniques such as SEM, TEM, FIB, XRD, and nano-indentation.
• Analyze process outcomes, including residual stress and distortion, particularly in large-format applications.
• Mentor graduate students and collaborate with research partners at ARL and industry.
• Disseminate research results through peer-reviewed journal publications and presentations at national and international conferences.
• Contribute to research proposal development and laboratory research activities.

Funding will be renewed yearly, contingent upon performance and funding availability. Employment may be subject to U.S. export control regulations.

Requirements

• PhD in Engineering.
• Strong publication record reflecting expertise in one or more of the following areas:
  • Hands-on experience with additive manufacturing (AM) technologies, particularly AFSD, cold spray, and LPBF.
  • Strong background in materials science, including characterization techniques (SEM, TEM, FIB, XRD, nano-indentation).
  • Experience with analytical/numerical modeling of thermal, thermo-mechanical, plastic deformation, or multi-physics manufacturing processes.
  • Experience modeling AM microstructure evolution, phase transformations, or defect generation.
  • Multi-scale modeling across spatial and temporal domains, including residual stress and distortion in large-format structures.
  • Experience with CAD/CAM, MATLAB, or G-Code.
  • Knowledge of solid-state manufacturing processes, including friction stir processing and welding.
  • Knowledge of subtractive manufacturing or heat treatment processes.
  • Familiarity with physics-informed or data-driven (AI/ML) manufacturing approaches.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively in collaborative research environments.

Physical Requirements

• Some standing or walking.
• Sitting at a computer workstation for extended periods.
• Repetitive motion.
• Lifting, pushing, or pulling objects up to 50 lbs.