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Position Title:
Postdoctoral Research Associate

Appointment Type:
Post Doc/Trainee

Job Description:
Iowa State University is seeking applications for a newly established postdoctoral research associate position focused on Artificial Intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) assisted design, development, and evaluation of personal protective technology (PPT) and personal protective equipment (PPE). This position involves efforts in research and development, grant writing, project management, and student mentoring. This position is affiliated with the Laboratories for Functional Textiles and Protective Clothing (LABS) located in the Department of Apparel, Events, and Hospitality Management in the College of Human Sciences.

LABS conducts multidisciplinary/interdisciplinary research and develop new polymers/textiles, new technologies and approaches, and clothing systems and subsystems for human safety, health, and wellbeing. LABS research is focused on human physiology, ergonomics, and the functionality of clothing and PPE systems to achieve optimized performance.

The research program includes the:

• Multidisciplinary/interdisciplinary approach to PPT and PPE study
• Advanced materials, technologies and new PPE system
• Mechanisms study and numerical model development
• Lab simulation of hazards and usage scenarios
• Development of lab measurement technologies and system performance analysis
• Development of new testing methods and standards
• Advanced manufacturing technologies and application in PPE
• Development of data driven R&D approaches
• AI and its application in PPT and PPE development 

The research program shares in Iowa State University (ISU)’s comment and mission to create, share, and apply knowledge by effective integration of science, engineering, technology, and humanity to make the state and the world a better place.

This position reports to the director of LABS, the Norma Scott Lloyd Chair of Textiles and Clothing, and the Department head.

Duties:

Duties/essential functions may include, but not limited to the following:

• Develop and optimize strategies, methodologies, and algorithms for research data synthesizing and analytics
• Gain insights from analyzed data to guide R&D approaches
• Apply developed approaches to PPE design, development, evaluation, and performance prediction
• Apply ML for image processing to extract relevant anthropometric data from scans/images
• Multivariate analysis using ML to predict the safe exposure limits and optimization of variables
• Lead/contribute to the grant writing and submission to both internal and external CFPs
• Write manuscripts and conference abstracts to disseminate research findings
• Disseminate research findings in regional, national, and international exhibitions and conferences
• Assist mentoring graduate/undergraduate students in research projects, class projects, and other activities, including the honor program.

- PhD degree at time of appointment in applied mathematics, statistics, AI/machine learning engineering, computer science, or other related field. 
- Demonstrated understanding of AI and machine learning application in system optimization. 
- Experience with AI/machine learning powered advanced manufacturing technologies. Strong oral and written communication skills. 
- Evidence of scholarly potential (publications, working papers, scholarly presentation, creative output). 
- Training and experience of grant writing and research project management. 
- Relative industry experience in engineering, computer science, and/or mathematics.

Preferred Qualifications:

- Demonstrated experience in related fields, lab facilities, and R&D environments.

- Demonstrated strong scholarly outputs including peer reviewed journal articles.

- Extensive system development and evaluation experience, with application to PPE systems a plus.

- Specializes at performance optimization via AI/machine learning powered approaches.

- Expertise in data analytics and statistics a plus.

- Member of professional organizations and reviewer for peer-reviewed journals a plus. 

Proposed Start Date:
July 25, 2022

Proposed End Date or Length of Term:
February 15, 2023

Number of Months Employed Per Year:

Time Type:
Full time

Application Instructions:

To apply for this position, please click on “Apply” and complete the Employment Application. Please be prepared to enter or attach the following:
1) Resume/Curriculum Vitae
2) Letter of Application/Cover Letter
3) Contact Information for Three References
If you have questions regarding this application process, please email employment@iastate.edu or call 515-294-4800 or Toll Free: 1-877-477-7485.
Why Choose ISU?
Iowa State University is committed to fostering a workplace of belonging, where diversity is celebrated and equity is a core value. Our Iowa State Postdocs enjoy comprehensive health and work life benefits, including medical and dental; as well as:
• Retirement benefits including defined benefit and defined contribution plans;
• Generous vacation, holiday, and sick time and leave plans;
• Onsite childcare (Ames, Iowa);
• Flexible Spending Accounts;
• Various voluntary benefits and discounts
• Employee Assistance Program;
• Wellbeing Program.

Original Posting Date:
July 12, 2022

Posting Close Date:
July 19, 2022

Job Requisition Number:
R9041