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Postdoctoral Scholar – Advanced Solar Collectors

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Position description

The University of California, Merced, is the newest of the University of California system’s 10 campuses and the first American research university built in the 21st century. With more than 8,000 undergraduate and graduate students, UC Merced offers an environment that combines a commitment to diversity, inclusion, collaboration and professional development. With bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degree programs, strong research and academic partnerships, and community involvement, the UC Merced campus is continually evolving and requires talented, knowledgeable and dynamic educators, researchers, management and staff.

Ranked among the best public universities in the nation by U.S. News and World Report, UC Merced is uniquely equipped to provide educational opportunities to highly qualified students from the San Joaquin Valley and throughout California. The campus enjoys a special connection with nearby Yosemite National Park, is on the cutting edge of sustainability in construction and design, and supports the economic development of Merced and the region.
In Fall 2016, UC Merced broke ground on a $1.3 billion public-private partnership that is unprecedented in higher education. The Merced 2020 Project will nearly double the physical capacity of the campus by 2020, enhancing academic distinction, student success and research excellence. UC Merced has also built the Downtown Campus Center, a $33 million, three-story administrative building in the heart of Merced.

The UC Solar Laboratory directed by Dr. Roland Winston is looking for a self-motivated, creative, enthusiastic and highly qualified postdoctoral scholar expert in solar energy to work on a project which will generate high temperature (> 650 C) thermal energy from a two-stage parabolic trough system. The Winston lab, one of the world leaders in solar thermal research, is currently working on a variety of different projects to develop solar collectors for different temperature regimes and applications including (i) low temperature (< 60 C) domestic hot water, (ii) medium temperature (< 120 C) for desalination, (iii) medium temperature (< 200 C) for wastewater evaporation and absorption cooling, and (iv) the previously mentioned high temperature system (650 C) for industrial process heat (IPH) and concentrating solar power (CSP). For more information, visit our website (ucsolar.org).

The successful candidate will have previous training and established track record in solar collector design, simulation, development, and experimental testing. The postdoctoral researcher is expected to stay abreast of recent publications in the field, carry out the research independently and as part of a team, develop the system into a fully-fledged demonstration system and publish research articles. The postdoctoral scholar is also expected to assist with mentoring graduate students and undergraduate students who will work on the project, and to be in charge of properly maintaining the equipment in the lab. Travel to partner and end-user facilities may be required. This is a two-year project with appointments being year-to-year based on continuation of funding and satisfactory performance.

Qualifications: Applicants must have obtained a PhD in an engineering or energy-related field. Strong written and verbal communication skills are required. Highly self-motivated individuals who have demonstrated the ability to conduct scientific research successfully and work independently are desirable.

The candidate should have demonstrable experience in at least two, preferably more, of the following areas: 1) advanced computer-based analysis of solar collector optical designs; 2) advanced computer-based analysis of heat transfer mechanisms; 3) solar collector fabrication and design; 4) solar collector testing and experimental quantification; 5) advanced computer-based analysis of experimental data.

Interested applicants are required to submit 1) a cover letter 2) curriculum vitae and 3) a list of two references with contact information including mailing address, phone number and e-mail address; this will be submitted through the Recruit system.

Salary is based on the University of California Academic Salary Scales. Review of applications will begin immediately. Position is open until filled with a final closing date of June 30, 2019. Starting dates are negotiable.

The University of California, Merced is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer with a strong institutional commitment to the achievement of diversity among its faculty, students and staff. The University is supportive of dual career couples.

Please contact Roland Winston at rwinston@ucmerced.edu for additional information.

Application Requirements

Document requirements
  • Curriculum Vitae - Your most recently updated C.V.

  • Cover Letter

  • Misc / Additional (Optional)

Reference requirements
  • 2 required (contact information only)

Job location

Merced, CA