Summary
This is a Non-Tenure Track position. Serve as a Postdoctoral Researcher to substantially increase faculty productivity and improve AFIT educational and research products. Postdoctoral researchers provide a unique opportunity to educate civilian human capital for the Air Force workforce thereby meeting AF STEM human capital needs.
Responsibilities
Performs the following postdoctoral fellow duties in the Department of Engineering Physics, Graduate School of Engineering and Management, Air Force Institute of Technology: Technical problem solving. The incumbent solves research problems to gain additional skills and experience within their area of academic discipline. Technical problem-solving activities include but are not limited to: identifying potential solutions to novel research problems; designing and executing studies to answer research questions; analyzing and interpreting research findings; configuring and designing relevant hardware and/or software; building relevant and useful research models; evaluating existing research techniques, analyzing systems, and recommending improvements to ensure quality and productivity. Mentorship and Collaboration. The incumbent develops mentorship and collaboration skills by partnering with their research mentor to organize, plan, and execute group research projects. Postdoctoral fellows expand their mentorship skills by partnering with AFIT students in informal settings to guide student investigations, offer research support, and share technical knowledge. The incumbent will collaborate with faculty inside and outside their discipline to identify relevant research questions, develop methods to answer research questions, and to work cooperatively to solve research problems of mutual interest. Communication. A Postdoctoral researcher prepares manuscripts for publication; documents research activities to ensure reproducibility; and assists in the preparation of proposals and funding reports. The incumbent is responsible for presenting research outputs at relevant conferences, program reviews, sponsor meetings and similar events. Postdoctoral researchers are responsible for reading, understanding, applying technical articles and maintaining a working knowledge of the state of the art in research. The Postdoctoral researcher effectively engages with the broader academic and defense communities by communicating as an active participant in internal and external scientific committees, conferences, including reviewing and critiquing student thesis papers, dissertations, and student thesis/doctoral committee activities.
Qualifications
This is an open continuous announcement and will be used to fill vacancies as openings occur. To receive consideration for the vacancies, applicants must submit complete applications prior to the established cut-ff date(s). The initial application cut-off is date is 30 Aug 2026 and every 30 days thereafter. You are encouraged to apply as early as possible. This announcement will remain open until the closing date indicated; however, those who apply after the cut-off date will be considered for referral to the hiring manager only if no selection is made from the initial group or if additional vacancies occur and the initial referral list yielded an insufficient number of candidates. If you make corrections and resubmit your application, the date the application is last submitted will be used to determine those who are considered to have met the cut-off date. This announcement is open until 31 July 2027 and may be used to fill like vacancies for 90 days after the closing date. REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS: An earned doctoral degree in a wide variety of fields that includes: physics, applied physics; atmospheric science; materials science; nuclear engineering; applied mathematics; electrical engineering; computer science; operational science; logistics; supply chain management; systems engineering; aeronautical engineering; astronautical engineering; or related fields. The applicant's record of scholarship must show the ability or potential to (1) conduct and disseminate scholarly research (2) mentor graduate students in conducting research in the school of engineering and management and (3) collaborate with other researchers. Possess the ability to communicate clearly and expertly in both verbal and written forms concerning academic, administrative, and technical subject matters. DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS: Demonstrated professional knowledge of defense-related research projects that can support nuclear modernization, battlespace intelligence, directed energy, hypersonics, applied artificial intelligence, contested logistics, or quantum battlefield information dominance. Applicants will be assessed based on education, evidence of teaching effectiveness, quality of scholarship, and demonstrated service to educational institutions and the discipline commensurate with years in the discipline. PART-TIME OR UNPAID EXPERIENCE: Credit will be given for appropriate unpaid and or part-time work. You must clearly identify the duties and responsibilities in each position held and the total number of hours per week. VOLUNTEER WORK EXPERIENCE: Refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service Programs (i.e., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community; student and social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge and skills that can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.
Education
This position has a positive degree requirement or education forms the basis for qualifications therefore, you MUST submit ALL transcripts (Bachelors/Masters/PhD) with the application. Official transcripts are not required at the time of application; however, if position has a positive degree requirement, qualifying based on education alone or in combination with experience, transcripts must be verified prior to appointment. An accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education must accredit education. Click here to check accreditation. Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. FOREIGN EDUCATION: Education completed in foreign colleges or universities may be used to meet the requirements. You must show proof the education credentials have been deemed to be at least equivalent to that gained in conventional U.S. education program. It is your responsibility to provide such evidence when applying.