Post-doc position in Mechanical Engineering at the SLED Laboratory at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP)

[Valentina Graci, PhD]

A post-doc position is open in the SLED Laboratory under the guidance of Dr. Valentina Graci at the Center for Injury Research and Prevention (CIRP https://injury.research.chop.edu/research) at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) and School of Biomedical Engineering, Science and Health System at Drexel University (https://drexel.edu/biomed/faculty/research/GraciValentina/). The postdoctoral fellow (postdoc) will carry out research related to automotive safety biomechanics and injury prevention. The main project the post-doc will be involved in consists of the design and construction of a novel laboratory test device that mimics the emergency braking acceleration of a vehicle. The device will be used to test human volunteers (children and adults) in low-acceleration pre-crash events. This project is an exciting opportunity to be part of a unique and novel device design and construction. The post-doc will also be part of the larger group of engineers within the Engineering Core at CIRP. She/he may work closely with the other engineers on the team: Thomas Seacrist (https://injury.research.chop.edu/meet-our-team/thomas-seacrist ) and Jalaj Maheshwari (https://injury.research.chop.edu/meet-our-team/jalaj-maheshwari ). Opportunities to be involved in other projects related to automotive safety and rehabilitation science may be available based on the candidate's interests and mentor’s needs.

The postdoc experience will serve to extend, refine, and enhance skills necessary for professional and career development and will enable the individual to broaden his/her scientific background by acquiring new research capabilities. It is expected that this individual will conduct independent scholarly research and will contribute directly to the overall research goals of the SLED Laboratory. During the course of the position, the postdoc will be expected to contribute to the composition and submission of grants, supervise junior team members, and publish his/her research. The postdoc will be expected to participate in project planning, interpretation/ evaluation of data, and communication of results.
The postdoc will also be expected to acquire technical, advanced mechanical hands-on engineering skills, data analysis, and manuscript/grant writing skills and participate in seminars, lectures, poster sessions, and presentations at national meetings.

Job Responsibilities

1. Conduct independent scholarly research and lead detailed and advanced analytical efforts
2. Participate in project planning and develop new methodologies and devices
3. Acquire technical, project management, and grant writing skills
4. Participate in seminars, lectures, poster sessions, and presentations at national meetings
5. Supervise junior team members
6. Assist with other research projects

Required Education and Experience

• Engineering Ph.D. (Mechanical preferred but aerospace, electrical, and biomedical will be considered too based on skills below).
• Strong experience in CAD, Solidworks, Fusion 360, Arduino, machining techniques, and operations.
• Ability to design and conduct data analysis, manage large dataset
• Proven ability and experience in Matlab, Python, and other programming languages
• Excellent oral and written communication skills
• Speak fluently in English

Preferred Education and Experience

• Experience in human subject data collection
• Experience in maintaining and/or building sled devices.
• Finite Element simulations in the automotive biomechanics field

Please contact Valentina Graci, PhD, graciv@email.chop.edu with interest, including full academic CV, cover letter, and a list of 3 references.