Post-Doctoral Research Scholar, Mechanical Eng (Finance)
College: College of Engineering
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Department: Mechanical EngineeringMinimum Qualification:
Doctoral degree from an accredited institution and appropriate experience and training within a selected area of specialization. Must meet university criteria for appointment to the rank of Postdoctoral Fellow.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Ph.D. in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Robotics, Control Systems, or a
closely related field. - Strong background in control theory (robust/adaptive methods, stability‐margin analysis).
- Demonstrated experience with UAS flight test planning, execution, and data analysis.
- Excellent technical writing skills and record of peer‐reviewed publications.
- Proven ability to collaborate in multidisciplinary teams and liaise with external sponsors.
****This job is subject to Foreign Influence Screening: During the 2021 Florida legislative session, House Bill 7017 ("HB 7017") was passed and later signed into law by Governor DeSantis. The new law modifies a variety of Florida Statutes to address concerns regarding improper foreign influence. With regard to employment at major research institutions like the University of South Florida, the new law requires thorough review of certain applicants for positions involving research.
This position may be subject to a Level 1 or Level 2 criminal background check
Applicants for USF employment are entitled to request reasonable accommodation(s) in the application process. A request is to be made at least five (5) working days prior to the time the accommodation(s) is needed. Contact the USF ADA Lead (hr-ADA-Request@usf.edu) to coordinate your accommodation request.Working at USF
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With approximately 16,000 employees, the University of South Florida is one of the largest employers in the Tampa Bay area. We are dedicated to cultivating a talented, engaged and driven workforce that strives to be bold. Employees excel in USF's rich academic environment, which fosters their development and advancement. In 2025, Forbes recognized USF as one of Florida's best large employers, ranked No. 1 among the state's 12 public universities. Our first-class benefits package includes medical, dental and life insurance plans, retirement plan options, employee and dependent tuition programs, generous leave, and hundreds of employee perks and discounts.
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About USF
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The University of South Florida is a top-ranked research university serving approximately 50,000 students from across the globe at campuses in Tampa, St. Petersburg, Sarasota-Manatee and USF Health. USF is recognized by U.S. News & World Report as a top 50 public university and the best value in Florida. U.S. News also ranks the USF Health Morsani College of Medicine as the No. 1 medical school in Florida and in the highest tier nationwide. USF is a member of the Association of American Universities (AAU), a group that includes only the top 3% of universities in the U.S. With an all-time high of $738 million in research funding in 2024 and as a top 20 public university for producing U.S. patents, USF uses innovation to transform lives and shape a better future. The university generates an annual economic impact of more than $6 billion. USF's Division I athletics teams compete in the American Athletic Conference. Learn more at www.usf.edu .
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Compliance and Federal Notices
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This position may be subject to a Level 1 or Level 2 criminal background check.
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Applicants have rights under Federal Employment Laws :
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Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)
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Applicants for USF employment are entitled to request reasonable accommodation(s) in the application process. A request is to be made at least five (5) working days prior to the time the accommodation(s) is needed. Visit the Central Human Resources ADA Accommodations webpage for more information on requesting an accommodation during the application/interview process.Position Summary
The Postdoctoral Scholar will continue theory development and help the experimental component
of a multi-year research project on gain-scheduled symbiotic control architectures for uncertain
unmanned aerial systems (UAS). Under the supervision of the PI and with the help of two graduate
students, the scholar will help to design, execute, and analyze flight experiments on the CRC VTOL
UAS to bridge the theory-practice gap, collaborating closely with external partners at DEVCOM ARL .
