Position Title: Postdoctoral Researcher – Control Systems

Purpose of Position

The successful candidate in this position will develop various parameter estimation algorithms for heat and mass transfer systems and propose innovative solutions to optimize the process in real-time which substantially improve  the energy efficiency of the process. An initial plant model is in place but it requires further development and validation. Also an advanced test-bed with real-time control and data acquisition capabilities has been developed which will accelerate algorithm development and validation. The research associate will have the opportunity to supervise and mentor a number of undergraduate students helping her/him in experimentation and model validation. The project is a part of a research contract sponsored by a highly respected technology company. As a result, this is a great opportunity for a highly motivated applicant who wants to utilize her/his expertise in the design and validation of control systems and tackle real-world problems in the context of adaptive control.


Primary Duties and Responsibilities

The following duties are customary for this position, but are not to be construed as all-inclusive. Duties may be added, deleted, and assigned based on administrative discretion and institutional needs.

• Validate and further fine-tune a mathematical model for heat and mass transfer processes for better performance prediction under various loading conditions.
• Develop and validate real-time estimation algorithms and/or observers for some process parameters/variables
• Develop and validate real-time optimizer to make the process energy-efficient
• Evaluate the performance of overall system with above estimators and optimizers under various operating conditions.
• Prepare documentations, interim as well as final reports, and present them to the industrial sponsor.
• Supervise and mentor undergraduate students who are involving in projects.
• Write technical papers for publications in peer-reviewed journals.

Minimum Education and Experience:

• Ph.D. degree mainly in electrical engineering with focus in adaptive control. Other majors such as mechanical or mechanical engineering will be also considered if they demonstrate similar expertise and focus in adaptive control.

Knowledge and Skills Required:

• Proven experience and strong expertise in system control design in the context of “adaptive control.” This includes the knowledge of how to design various types of estimation algorithms, observers, and optimizers for closed-loop control systems.
• Strong desire to work in lab, design, and perform experiments to improve and optimize the proposed estimators and optimizers, leading to a more energy efficient heat and mass transfer process.
• Strong desire to manage and mentor undergraduate students.
• Analytical and communication skills should be demonstrated through peer-reviewed journals publications.
• Result oriented, well-disciplined, and work with minimal supervision.
• Ability to work independently and in a team environment.
• Willingness to work outside of their discipline to accomplish project goals.

Compensation:

•     Annual Salary: $43000 plus benefits (Note that Bowling Green in Kentucky has a low cost of living index.)

 Starting Date:

• Preferably April 1st, 2016 (or sooner).
• This is a one-year research position with high possibility of renewal subject to successful implementation of the project and fund availability.

Note: This position is for Energy Systems Lab at Western Kentucky University (WKU). We are at the resume gathering phase.
 
Apply as soon as possible with your current curriculum vitae (including a list of publications and at least three references with complete contact information) to Dr. Farhad Ashrafzadeh (Farhad.Ashrafzadeh@wku.edu) with the email title of “Open Position - Research Associate.”