Job description

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS: CURRENT PENN STATE EMPLOYEE (faculty, staff, technical service, or student), please login to Workday to complete the internal application process . Please do not apply here, apply internally through Workday. CURRENT PENN STATE STUDENT (not employed previously at the university) and seeking employment with Penn State, please login to Workday to complete the student application process. Please do not apply here, apply internally through Workday. If you are NOT a current employee or student, please click “Apply” and complete the application process for external applicants . Approval of remote and hybrid work is not guaranteed regardless of work location. For additional information on remote work at Penn State, see Notice to Out of State Applicants . This is a term position; length of the term will be discussed during the interview process. Continuation past the term length discussed will be based on university need, performance, and/or availability of funding. POSITION SPECIFICS The Department of Mechanical Engineering at The Pennsylvania State University is seeking a Postdoctoral Scholar in Battery Mechanics, Physics-Based AI, and Energy Storage Manufacturing under the direction of Dr. Jun Xu. Job Duties: Research: Develop and lead research integrating AI with battery science and engineering; design computational and/or experimental studies; and collaborate with academic, national laboratory, and industry partners. Publications: Lead the preparation of high-quality journal manuscripts and present findings at conferences. Proposal development: Work closely with the PI to identify funding opportunities, develop research concepts, generate preliminary results, and prepare technical proposals. Laboratory management: Help coordinate daily laboratory activities, equipment use and maintenance, research documentation, data and code management, and safety practices. Mentoring and coordination: Mentor graduate and undergraduate students, support project planning, and track research milestones and deliverables. Qualifications and Requirements: A Ph.D. in mechanical engineering, materials science, chemical engineering, electrical engineering, or a closely related field by the start date. Strong expertise in AI/machine learning, demonstrated through substantive research contributions. Experience preparing research proposals, mentoring students, or coordinating laboratory projects. Experience applying AI to batteries, energy storage, materials, or related physical systems. Experience with battery experiments, electrochemical or multiphysics modeling, scientific data infrastructure, or automated research workflows. A strong publication record appropriate to career stage and excellent scientific writing and communication skills. Interested applicants should send the following materials as a single PDF file : Curriculum vitae Brief research statement describing prior research experience and future research interests Representative publications Contact information for three references BACKGROUND CHECKS/CLEARANCES Employment with the University will require successful completion of background check(s) in accordance with University policies. BENEFITS Penn State provides a competitive benefits package for full-time employees designed to support both personal and professional well-being. For more detailed information, please visit our Benefits Page. (Note: For Postdoctoral benefits, please see our Postdoctoral Benefits page.) CAMPUS SECURITY CRIME STATISTICS Pursuant to the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act and the Pennsylvania Act of 1988, Penn State publishes a combined Annual Security and Annual Fire Safety Report (ASR). The ASR includes crime statistics and institutional policies concerning campus security, such as those concerning alcohol and drug use, crime prevention, the reporting of crimes, sexual assault, and other matters. The ASR is available for review here . EEO IS THE LAW Penn State is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to providing employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status. If you are unable to use our online application process due to an impairment or disability, please contact 814-865-1473. Penn State is committed to and accountable for advancing equity, respect, and belonging. We embrace individual uniqueness, as well as a culture of belonging that supports equity initiatives, leverages the educational and institutional benefits of inclusion in society, and provides opportunities for engagement intended to help all members of the community thrive. We value belonging as a core strength and an essential element of the university’s teaching, research, and service mission. Federal Contractors Labor Law Poster PA State Labor Law Poster Penn State Policies Copyright Information Hotlines

Requirements

Must-haves

If you are NOT a current employee or student, please click “Apply” and complete the application process for external applicants .
Approval of remote and hybrid work is not guaranteed regardless of work location. For additional information on remote work at Penn State, see Notice to Out of State Applicants .
This is a term position; length of the term will be discussed during the interview process. Continuation past the term length discussed will be based on university need, performance, and/or availability of funding.
The Department of Mechanical Engineering at The Pennsylvania State University is seeking a Postdoctoral Scholar in Battery Mechanics, Physics-Based AI, and Energy Storage Manufacturing under the direction of Dr. Jun Xu.
Research: Develop and lead research integrating AI with battery science and engineering; design computational and/or experimental studies; and collaborate with academic, national laboratory, and industry partners.
Publications: Lead the preparation of high-quality journal manuscripts and present findings at conferences.
Proposal development: Work closely with the PI to identify funding opportunities, develop research concepts, generate preliminary results, and prepare technical proposals.
Laboratory management: Help coordinate daily laboratory activities, equipment use and maintenance, research documentation, data and code management, and safety practices.
Mentoring and coordination: Mentor graduate and undergraduate students, support project planning, and track research milestones and deliverables.
A Ph.D. in mechanical engineering, materials science, chemical engineering, electrical engineering, or a closely related field by the start date.
Strong expertise in AI/machine learning, demonstrated through substantive research contributions.
Experience preparing research proposals, mentoring students, or coordinating laboratory projects.
Experience applying AI to batteries, energy storage, materials, or related physical systems.
Experience with battery experiments, electrochemical or multiphysics modeling, scientific data infrastructure, or automated research workflows.
A strong publication record appropriate to career stage and excellent scientific writing and communication skills.
Interested applicants should send the following materials as a single PDF file :
Curriculum vitae
Brief research statement describing prior research experience and future research interests
Representative publications
Contact information for three references
Employment with the University will require successful completion of background check(s) in accordance with University policies.
Federal Contractors Labor Law Poster
PA State Labor Law Poster
Penn State Policies

Nice-to-haves

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Application prep

Use the role’s language and application details while tailoring your materials.

Keywords to mirror

aimachine learning

Platform: workday
Effort: long