Postdoctoral Associate - UMD Swenson College of Science and Engineering

Job Description

Job ID: 376688
Location: Duluth
Full/Part Time: Full-Time, 12 month
Regular/Temporary: Regular
Salary: $62,232

About the Job
McKnight Postdoctoral Associate
The Swenson College of Science and Engineering (SCSE) (https://scse.d.umn.edu/) at the University of Duluth (UMD) (https://www.d.umn.edu/) has funding available to support two McKnight Teaching Postdoctoral Fellows broadly focusing on real-time cabled-observatories for marine ecosystems, marine/maritime engineering, and marine energy technology development. These two-year fellowships also include a research fund for each Fellow to spend on supplies and travel. The McKnight Fellows will be expected to teach one course per semester and carry out research under the mentorship of a professor engaged in physical oceanography and/or marine energy and maritime engineering research. The teaching assignment is open for any area related to mechanical engineering and/or physics and will be assigned by the respective department heads. Importantly, upon identifying a Fellow and through discussions, the PI will provide a mentoring plan that describes the strategy for the Fellow to develop the research, teaching, and mentorship skills necessary for a successful career. The anticipated start date for the McKnight Postdoctoral Fellows is negotiable up to August 23, 2027. These are two-year positions with further appointments contingent upon performance and availability of funding.

Please note, this position is not eligible for H-1B or Green Card sponsorship. This position does not offer a STEM OPT training program.

Job Duties
Teaching (50%): Teach two undergraduate courses annually (one per semester) in the assigned department(s), depending on qualifications. Develop course content as needed.

Research (50%): Participate in ongoing maritime engineering-related research projects. We are particularly interested in candidates with experience in a) real-time cabled observatories and multi-sensor observation systems, including emerging sensors, technologies, and computational methods applied to these systems; b) marine energy technology development and associated challenges related to controls, materials, and fluid-structure interactions; and c) autonomous marine vehicles. We also particularly value experience working through challenges associated with fieldwork and engineering systems for long-term deployments in harsh marine environments. Co-author and present research papers in peer-reviewed journals and conferences. Co-author grant proposals to internal and external agencies. Participate in collaborative meetings with internal and external faculty members. Supervise undergraduate and Master's students.

Application review will begin December 4, 2026, and continue until the positions are filled. Applicants must be able to demonstrate authorization to work in the United States at the University of Minnesota Duluth by the start date. Final candidates may be asked to provide additional information.

Required Qualifications

• PhD in a relevant field that has been completed by the start date.
• A demonstrated ability to independently design and carry out research projects resulting in publications.
• An ability to teach undergraduate or graduate courses in engineering or related fields.

Preferred Qualifications

• Highly motivated team player.
• Passionate about teaching.
• Fluent in spoken and written English with good writing skills.

About the University of Minnesota Duluth
The University of Minnesota Duluth campus is the second largest research university within the University of Minnesota public university system. UMD is a comprehensive university of about 8,600 students located along the shores of Lake Superior. Swenson College of Science and Engineering includes the science departments of Biology, Chemistry and Biochemistry, Earth and Environmental Science, Physics and Astronomy, and Mathematics and Statistics, as well as the ABET-accredited departments of Computer Science, Electrical, Chemical, Civil, and Mechanical and Industrial Engineering. SCSE is home to the Large Lakes Observatory, a premier research facility dedicated to the study of large lakes around the world, and the Advanced Materials Center.

Duluth is the largest city in northern Minnesota and is part of the Twin Ports metropolitan area (Duluth, MN and Superior, WI). The Twin Ports area hosts four colleges/universities, two major hospitals, many retail and manufacturing companies, and the largest commercial port on the Great Lakes. Duluth has vibrant music, theater, and arts scenes, and a steadily increasing number of craft breweries and award-winning restaurants. Duluth offers affordable housing, an absence of appreciable traffic, and mixes its historic feel with a dynamic urban economy and many cultural offerings. Named by Outdoor Magazine as one of America's Best Outdoors Towns, Duluth provides access to hundreds of miles of biking, hiking, and skiing trails and abundant opportunities for fishing, kayaking, and sailing.

Pay Range: $62,232

Please visit the Benefits for Postdoctoral Candidates website for more information regarding benefit eligibility.

• Competitive wages, paid holidays, and generous time off
• Continuous learning opportunities through professional training
• Medical, dental, and pharmacy plans
• Healthcare and dependent care flexible spending accounts
• University HSA contributions
• Disability and life insurance
• Employee wellbeing program
• Financial counseling services
• Employee Assistance Program with eight sessions of counseling at no cost

Applications must be submitted online; go to https://humanresources.umn.edu/jobs and search for job ID 376688. To be considered for this position, please click the Apply button and follow the instructions. You will have the opportunity to complete an online application for the position and attach a cover letter and resume or CV. Additional documents may be attached after application by accessing your "My Job Applications" page and uploading documents in the "My Cover Letters and Attachments" section.

To complete the application, please attach the following PDF files:

1. a cover letter
2. a CV/resume;
3. contact information for three professional references;
4. a teaching/research philosophy. Please describe how you have helped build a supportive and inclusive community in your educational work and previous roles. You may include examples from teaching or mentoring, working with colleagues, participating in department or campus initiatives, or community engagement.

Applications missing any of these documents may not be reviewed.

This position will remain open until filled.

To request an accommodation during the application process, please e-mail jobcentr@umn.edu.

The University recognizes and values the importance of diversity and inclusion in enriching the employment experience of its employees and in supporting the academic mission. The University is committed to attracting and retaining employees with varying identities and backgrounds.

The University of Minnesota provides equal access to and opportunity in its programs, facilities, and employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender, age, marital status, disability, public assistance status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. To learn more about diversity at the U: http://diversity.umn.edu

Any offer of employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a background check. Our presumption is that prospective employees are eligible to work here. Criminal convictions do not automatically disqualify finalists from employment.

University of Minnesota, Duluth (UMD)

The University of Minnesota, Duluth (UMD) consistently ranks among the top Midwestern, regional universities in U.S. News and World Report's "America's Best Colleges" issue.

Overlooking Lake Superior, UMD provides an alternative to both large research and small liberal arts environments and attracts students looking for a personalized learning experience on a medium-sized campus of a major university. A firm liberal arts foundation anchors a variety of traditional degree programs, as well as professional and graduate students that draw on UMD's many research institutes and labs.

At the University of Minnesota, we are proud to be recognized by Forbes as a Best Employer for Company Culture (2026), Best Employer for Women (2023, 2025, 2026), and Best Employer by State (2022-2026). In 2026, we also received Culture Excellence & Industry Awards recognition for employee appreciation and work-life flexibility.