Student Research Associate Jobs in Utah (NOW HIRING)

Announcement
Details
Open Date
08/19/2026
Requisition Number
PRN45957B
Job Title
Post Doc Res Assoc
Working Title
Post Doc Res Assoc
Career Progression Track
A00
Track Level
FLSA Code
Administrative
Patient Sensitive Job Code?
No
Standard Hours per Week
40.00
Full Time or Part Time?
Full Time
Shift
Day
Work Schedule Summary
Monday - Friday, 8-5pm
VP Area
President
Department
00059 - Energy & Geoscience Institute
Location
Campus
City
Salt Lake City, UT
Type of Recruitment
External Posting
Pay Rate Range
$70,000 - $82,000
Close Date
11/19/2026
Priority Review Date (Note - Posting may close at any time)
Job Summary
The Postdoctoral Research Associate will conduct applied and fundamental research in energy systems engineering, with an emphasis on industrial energy systems, energy management, techno-economic analysis, modeling, simulation, optimization, and advanced control. The position will play a key role in a major collaborative research effort focused on improving the energy and economic performance of advanced manufacturing operations. Primary responsibilities will include developing and implementing a comprehensive industrial energy management program; characterizing and benchmarking facility energy and resource use; developing models, performance metrics, and strategies for continuous energy improvement; and conducting comprehensive techno-economic analyses of manufacturing processes, equipment, facilities, and scale-up pathways.
The successful candidate will also contribute broadly to the research activities of the Energy Systems Research Group. Depending on the candidate's background and research interests, projects may include industrial decarbonization and smart manufacturing; hydrogen production and utilization; energy storage; renewable, nuclear, and hybrid energy systems; buildings and district energy systems; grid-interactive energy systems and demand response; process and energy system modeling; optimization and model predictive control; and applications of artificial intelligence and machine learning to energy systems.
The position will involve developing computational models and simulation tools, analyzing experimental and operational data, formulating and solving optimization problems, evaluating technical and economic performance, and translating research results into practical engineering recommendations. The Postdoctoral Research Associate will be expected to lead and contribute to peer-reviewed publications and technical reports, present research findings, assist with research proposals and project deliverables, collaborate with university and industry partners, and help identify and develop new research directions.
Additional responsibilities include mentoring and supervising graduate and undergraduate researchers, coordinating student research activities, supporting the development of research software and experimental or computational capabilities, and contributing to the overall intellectual and technical leadership of the research group. The position is intended for an individual who can work independently while collaborating effectively across multidisciplinary academic and industrial research teams.
Responsibilities

• Lead the development and implementation of energy management strategies for industrial and advanced manufacturing facilities, including energy and resource benchmarking, performance monitoring, identification of energy-efficiency opportunities, and development of long-term energy management plans.

• Conduct comprehensive techno-economic analyses of manufacturing processes and facilities, including equipment and process evaluation, capital and operating cost analysis, return-on-investment analysis, sensitivity and uncertainty analysis, process optimization, and evaluation of manufacturing scale-up pathways.

• Develop and apply computational models, simulations, optimization methods, and data-analysis tools to evaluate the performance of industrial processes and complex energy systems.

• Conduct research in areas such as industrial energy systems and decarbonization, hydrogen and electrochemical systems, renewable and nuclear energy systems, energy storage, buildings and district energy systems, smart-grid applications, process systems engineering, advanced control, and artificial intelligence/machine learning for energy applications.

• Analyze experimental, operational, and simulation data; develop performance metrics; identify opportunities for system improvement; and translate research findings into actionable engineering recommendations.

• Prepare peer-reviewed journal publications, conference papers and presentations, technical reports, project deliverables, and other research communications.

• Mentor and supervise graduate and undergraduate students, including providing technical guidance on research methods, modeling and simulation, data analysis, technical writing, and presentation of research results.

• Collaborate with faculty, students, industry partners, national laboratories, government agencies, and other university researchers on multidisciplinary research projects.

• Contribute to the development of research proposals, project plans, scopes of work, and new research initiatives, including identifying opportunities for externally funded research.

• Assist with project management and coordination, including tracking research milestones and deliverables, documenting methods and results, communicating technical progress, and coordinating activities among project participants.

• Develop and maintain research software, computational tools, models, datasets, and other research infrastructure needed to support ongoing and future projects.

• Perform other research, mentoring, technical, and scholarly activities that support the mission and research portfolio of the research group.

Minimum Qualifications
Department Specific Qualifications:

• Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Systems Engineering, Industrial Engineering, or a closely related engineering or technical discipline.

Preferences
The ideal candidate will have a strong interest in pursuing a future tenure-track academic career. This position is particularly well suited for an individual who wants to develop the research, publication, mentoring, proposal-development, and leadership experience needed to become a successful independent faculty member. The faculty supervisor is committed to actively mentoring a postdoctoral researcher with these career aspirations and to providing opportunities for increasing research independence, student mentorship, scholarly publication, proposal development, and development of an independent research portfolio.
Preferred qualifications and experience include:

• Research experience in energy systems, industrial energy, advanced energy technologies, or related areas.
• Experience with process and energy system modeling and simulation.
• Experience conducting techno-economic analysis (TEA), including cost modeling, economic evaluation, sensitivity analysis, and/or assessment of emerging technologies and manufacturing processes.
• Experience with life cycle assessment (LCA) is highly desirable.
• Experience with mathematical optimization, including optimization of energy, process, or manufacturing systems, is a plus.
• Experience with dynamic modeling and simulation, process control, or model-based analysis is a plus.
• Experience with industrial automation, manufacturing systems, data acquisition, or related technologies is a plus.
• Strong quantitative, computational, and analytical skills and the ability to learn and apply new modeling and analysis methods.
• Demonstrated ability or strong potential to publish high-quality peer-reviewed research and communicate technical results effectively.
• Interest in mentoring and supervising graduate and undergraduate researchers and working collaboratively within multidisciplinary research teams.
• Ability to work independently, take intellectual ownership of research activities, and contribute to the development of new research ideas, publications, and proposals.

Type
Benefited Staff
Special Instructions Summary
Additional Information
The University is a participating employer with Utah Retirement Systems ("URS"). Eligible new hires with prior URS service, may elect to enroll in URS if they make the election before they become eligible for retirement (usually the first day of work). Contact Human Resources at (801) 581-7447 for information. Individuals who previously retired and are receiving monthly retirement benefits from URS are subject to URS' post-retirement rules and restrictions. Please contact Utah Retirement Systems at (801) 366-7770 or (800) 695-4877 or University Human Resource Management at (801) 581-7447 if you have questions regarding the post-retirement rules.
This position may require the successful completion of a criminal background check and/or drug screen.
The University of Utah values candidates who have experience working in settings with students and possess a strong commitment to improving access to higher education.
Veterans' preference is extended to qualified applicants, upon request and consistent with University policy and Utah state law. Upon request, reasonable accommodations in the application process will be provided to individuals with disabilities.
Consistent with state and federal law, the University of Utah does not discriminate based upon race, ethnicity, color, religion, national origin, age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, pregnancy-related conditions, genetic information, or protected veteran's status. The University does not discriminate on the basis of sex in the education program or activity that it operates, as required by Title IX and 34 CFR part 106. The requirement not to discriminate in education programs or activities extends to admission and employment. Inquiries about the application of Title IX and its regulations may be referred to the Title IX Coordinator, to the Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights, or both.
To request a reasonable accommodation for a disability or if you or someone you know has experienced discrimination or sexual misconduct including sexual harassment, you may contact the Director/Title IX Coordinator in the Office of Equal Opportunity and Title IX (OEO). More information, including the Director/Title IX Coordinator's office address, electronic mail address, and telephone number can be located at the: University of Utah Non-Discrimination page.
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As per University of Utah policy 5-108: Transfer of Benefits Eligible Staff Members, a new hire to the University of Utah who is still serving a 12 month probationary period will not be hired into another University of Utah job (a transfer) until the successful completion of the probationary period.