Assistant Research Professor

Worcester Polytechnic Institute•Worcester, MA

1d•Onsite

About The Position

We are seeking a highly motivated and qualified Assistant Research Professor to join the Department of Chemical Engineering at WPI. The successful candidate will conduct cutting-edge computational research aimed at developing machine learning algorithms to enhance multi-scale simulations in catalysis. This work will contribute to next-generation technologies involving plasma catalysis, field-enhanced catalysis, electrocatalysis, and materials science. The position offers an exciting opportunity to work at the intersection of machine learning and kinetics in advanced catalytic processes. In addition to research, the candidate will contribute to proposal development, lead manuscript preparation and publication efforts, mentor graduate and undergraduate students, manage day-to-day laboratory operations, and maintain and expand computational resources to support ongoing research activities. The initial appointment is for 12 months, with potential for renewal based on performance and funding availability.

Requirements

Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering, Materials Science, Computer Science, Chemistry, Physics, or a closely related field.
Strong background in multi-scale simulations.
Proficiency in machine learning techniques, particularly in scientific applications.
Demonstrated ability to work independently as well as collaboratively within a multidisciplinary team.

Nice To Haves

Prior experience mentoring students and a track record of scholarly publications is desirable.

Responsibilities

Develop and apply multi-scale simulation frameworks for complex catalytic systems.
Design and implement generalizable machine learning algorithms (e.g., graph neural networks) and large language model to accelerate and couple multi-scale simulations in catalysis.
Lead and contribute to proposal development and manuscript preparation, including conducting comprehensive literature reviews and disseminating research outcomes.
Present research findings at scientific meetings and conferences, and actively engage with the broader research community.
Mentor and supervise graduate and undergraduate students, fostering a collaborative and productive research environment.
Manage day-to-day laboratory operations and coordinate research activities within the group.
Maintain and expand computational resources, including high-performance computing workflows and data infrastructure, to support ongoing research efforts.
Perform additional related duties as assigned by the principal investigator.