Full Job Description

Position Location Fort Collins, CO 
Research Professional Position Yes 
Posting Number 202000699AP 
Position Type Admin Professional/ Research Professional 
Classification Title Postdoctoral Fellows 
Number of Vacancies 
Work Hours/Week 40 
Proposed Annual Salary Range $48,000-$60,000 
Desired Start Date 01/01/2021 
Position End Date (if temporary) 
To ensure full consideration, applications must be received by 11:59pm (MT) on 11/15/2020 
Description of Work Unit 

As one of the nation’s top public research universities, Colorado State University (CSU) is a land-grant institution in Fort Collins, CO, with enrollment of more than 33,000 students. CSU offers 76 undergraduate degree programs, 114 graduate degree programs, 21 professional master’s degree programs, and a Professional Veterinary Medicine program. CSU’s world-class research and scholarship attract more than $370 million in research funding every year, ranking second nationally in federal research funding for universities without a medical school. 

Fort Collins is an attractive community of approximately 170,000 located along the Colorado Front Range at the base of the Rocky Mountains, 65 miles north of Denver. The city is routinely recognized as one of the most desirable places to live in the United States. It consistently ranks high on quality of life measures by numerous publications; see https://www.fcgov.com/visitor/awards for the complete list. 

The Front Range has developed into a high-tech hub with companies such as Woodward, Hewlett-Packard Enterprise, IBM, Intel, Keysight Technologies, Broadcomm, AMD, Xilinx, Ball Aerospace, Lockheed Martin, Raytheon, and Northrop Grumman located in or near Fort Collins. The city offers a pleasant climate with excellent schools and abundant cultural and recreational opportunities nearby. For more information on Fort Collins, check out the City’s website: www.visitftcollins.com. 

The Department of Mechanical Engineering (ME) at Colorado State University offers a curriculum that integrates exceptional classroom learning and in-depth engineering practice for an unparalleled educational experience. Made up of 34 faculty members, 8 staff members, 1,000 undergraduate students, and 125 graduate students, ME is one of the largest departments on CSU’s campus. State-of-the-art labs provide unmatched, hands-on experience to help undergraduate students conceptualize industry environments, and $7.5M in annual research funding provide groundbreaking opportunities focusing on health, materials, and energy, for graduate students to enhance their educational concentrations. Award-winning faculty offer industry and academic perspective, and equip each graduate with the tools needed to obtain leading positions in advanced technology fields. The Mechanical Engineering program at CSU includes majors in both Mechanical Engineering and Biomedical Engineering-Mechanical Engineering; both curriculum combine classroom learning with engineering practice. Our goal is to give our graduates the engineering skills they need to obtain leading positions in advanced technology fields. Our students are integral members of our research groups and their thesis and dissertation topics focus on cutting-edge research. Further information about the Department can be found at www.engr.colostate.edu/me/. 

Position Summary 

The Colorado State University (CSU) Energy Institute is seeking a Postdoctoral Fellow in Advanced Combustion Strategies. 

The selected individual will work with Drs. Daniel Olsen, Anthony Marchese, and Bret Windom at CSU and interface closely with scientists at Cummins, Inc. and Argonne National Laboratory (ANL). The research will be performed at the Powerhouse Energy Campus in Fort Collins, CO. 

The new hire will be working on the development of new combustion strategies for heavy duty LPG engines utilizing a rapid compression machine, a high-pressure spray chamber, and single cylinder engines. Sponsored by the DOE/EERE Vehicle Technologies Office, the new hire will be required to work collaboratively with researchers from CSU, Cummins, ANL, and key vendors to improve LPG engine efficiency in order to increase market penetration. 

Required Job Qualifications 
PhD in Mechanical Engineering or closely related field 
Strong background in laboratory-based combustion research 
Demonstrated ability to produce peer-reviewed journal publications 
Strong verbal and written communication skills 
The successful candidate must be legally authorized to work in the United States by the proposed start date. 

Preferred Job Qualifications 
Experience with laboratory testing of internal combustion engines and combustion diagnostics 
Experience with laboratory combustion devices such as high-pressure spray chambers and rapid compression machines 
Experience with engine simulation and computational fluid dynamics 
Experience working with a large team including private industry and national labs 
Ability to design and execute a research plan with minimal supervision 

Diversity Statement 

Reflecting departmental and institutional values, candidates are expected to have the ability to advance the Department’s commitment to diversity and inclusion. 

Essential Duties 

Job Duty Category Research 
Duty/Responsibility 

The research at CSU will involve the following:

• Commissioning laboratory facilities required to carry out spray diagnostics of an LPG direct injection system
• Performing fundamental experiments utilizing a rapid compression machine, high pressure spray chamber, variable compression ratio CFR engine, and Cummins single cylinder 2.5 L heavy duty research engine
• Working with research team that includes students, ANL and Cummins scientists, and commercial equipment suppliers, integrate advanced techniques into final combustion recipe for demonstration of high efficiency LPG engine operation
• Data analysis and preparation of manuscripts and grant applications

Percentage Of Time 85% 
Job Duty Category Work with Government Laboratory and Commercial Partners 
Duty/Responsibility 

Work with project partners:

• Interface with ANL scientists to develop CFD LPG spray model
• Coordinate and oversee hardware supplied by critical vendors
• Facilitate regular conference calls, oversee graduate students, and assist with the preparation of DOE reports

Percentage Of Time 10% 
Job Duty Category Project Related Travel 
Duty/Responsibility 

Attend research team meetings, or meetings with stakeholders, to discuss appropriate methods and disseminate results 

Percentage Of Time 5% 
Special Instructions to Applicants 

For full consideration, please upload your cover letter, CV, unofficial transcript, a technical paper that you have authored in the ‘writing samples’ slot, and the contact information for three professional references. 

References will not be contacted without prior notification of candidates. 

Conditions of Employment Pre-employment Criminal Background Check (required for new hires) 
Search Contact Dan Olsen, [email protected] 
EEO Statement 

Colorado State University is committed to providing an environment that is free from discrimination and harassment based on race, age, creed, color, religion, national origin or ancestry, sex, gender, disability, veteran status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or pregnancy and will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. Colorado State University is an equal opportunity/equal access/affirmative action employer fully committed to achieving a diverse workforce and complies with all Federal and Colorado State laws, regulations, and executive orders regarding non-discrimination and affirmative action. The Office of Equal Opportunity is located in 101 Student Services. 

The Title IX Coordinator is the Vice President for Equity, Equal Opportunity, and Title IX, 123 Student Services Building, Fort Collins, CO. 80523, (970) 491-1715. 

The Section 504 and ADA Coordinator is the Vice President for Equity, Equal Opportunity, and Title IX, 101 Student Services Building, Fort Collins, CO 80523-0160, (970) 491-5836. 

Background Check Policy Statement 

Colorado State University strives to provide a safe study, work, and living environment for its faculty, staff, volunteers and students. To support this environment and comply with applicable laws and regulations, CSU conducts background checks. The type of background check conducted varies by position and can include, but is not limited to, criminal history, sex offender registry, motor vehicle history, financial history, and/or education verification. Background checks will also be conducted when required by law or contract and when, in the discretion of the University, it is reasonable and prudent to do so.

Apply:

https://jobs.colostate.edu/postings/80983