RESEARCH SCIENTIST/ENGINEER SENIOR

As a UW employee, you have a unique opportunity to change lives on our campuses, in our state and around the world. UW employees offer their boundless energy, creative problem-solving skills, and dedication to build stronger minds and a healthier world. UW faculty and staff also enjoy outstanding benefits, professional growth opportunities and unique resources in an environment noted for diversity, intellectual excitement, artistic pursuits, and natural beauty. The Department of Department of Mechanical Engineering has an outstanding opportunity for a Research Scientist/Engineer Senior to join Dr. Brian Polagye's research team on marine renewable energy. This position will conduct research related to advancing the fundamental understanding and technological readiness of hydrodynamic systems that can efficiently harness the energy in currents (river, tidal, and ocean) and waves in an environmentally sustainable manner. DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES Obtain and Manage Research Funding Manage planning, execution, and budget for projects of moderate scale and complexity (research funding up to $500k) as Principal Investigator (PI) or as co-PI for larger, collaborative efforts. Identify and lead the development of new proposals to federal and industry partners as PI or contribute to proposal development as co-PI. Report on projects and manage relationships with major research sponsors and external collaborators. Team Leadership and Mentorship Mentor other laboratory staff, postdoctoral fellows, and students in research methodologies, best practices, and scientific principles relevant to their work. Participate in student and staff hiring to address needs within the group . Research, Design, and Development: Current Turbines Lead the engineering development of a laboratory-scale motion rig that can emulate movement patterns for a small-scale, moored current turbine . Work with faculty, students, and laboratory staff to understand the influences of three-dimensional inflow conditions on cross-flow turbines through experimental measurements of performance and flow fields. Direct research group staff to characterize the detection of fish collision (rubber proxies) using blade-integrated strain gauges . Research, Design, and Development: Wave Energy Converters Lead the upgrade of a laboratory-scale oscillating surge wave energy converter for an experimental campaign and collaborate with postdoctoral fellows on experimental design, data analysis, and publication. Lead the engineering development and experimental testing of a conceptual lift-based wave energy intended for operation in shallow-water wave environments . Work with faculty, students, and research staff to develop methods for isolating and characterizing the components of hydrodynamic force on surface and sub-surface wave energy converter float geometries through experiments and Boundary Element Method simulation. Lead development of scientific publications and presentations. Research, Design, and Development: Underwater Noise Support field testing of a set of prototype floats equipped with hydrophones. Develop algorithms and visualization for volumetric mapping of underwater sound sources measured by groups of floats . MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS PhD. in Mechanical Engineering, Ocean Engineering, or related technical field and Four or more years work experience in a related field. Equivalent education/experience will substitute for all minimum qualifications except when there are legal requirements, such as a license/certification/registration. ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS Demonstrated exceptional written and verbal communication skills for relationship management with research sponsors and collaborators. Ability to work effectively with other members of a research team and to coordinate facility use with other research groups. Ability to manage and plan research projects spanning multiple years. Strong understanding of state-of-the-art in cross-flow turbine hydrodynamics and control. Demonstrated experience with experimental measurements, including multi-axis load cells, encoders, and servomotors. Demonstrated ability to acquire and troubleshoot experimental data using data acquisition systems integrated with MATLAB Simulink Realtime Desktop. Ability to perform data analysis and interpretation in MATLAB. Ability to prepare and present scientific results using MS Word, MS PowerPoint, and Latex. Ability to procure materials, supplies, and equipment necessary to the execution of experiments. DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS Demonstrated ability to mentor graduate students and research staff. Experience with oceanographic field operations from workboats (6-8 m). General proficiency with sensor integration and troubleshooting for laboratory experiments. Ability to code in Python. Familiarity with code management using repositories (e.g., Git, Bitbucket). Application Process: The application process may include completion of a variety of online assessments to obtain additional information that will be used in the evaluation process. These assessments may include Work Authorization, Cover Letter and/or others. Any assessments that you need to complete will appear on your screen as soon as you select "Apply to this position". Once you begin an assessment, it must be completed at that time; if you do not complete the assessment, you will be prompted to do so the next time you access your "My Jobs" page. If you select to take it later, it will appear on your "My Jobs" page to take when you are access ready. Please note that your application will not be reviewed, and you will not be considered for this position until all required assessments have been completed.