Post Doctoral Scholar

The Opportunity:

The Post Doctoral Scholar will be part of a collaborative initiative between the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at the University of Central Florida (UCF) and Northern Arizona University (NAU). Their work will focus on the development and validation of autonomous UAV systems designed to navigate and map complex forested environments.

Responsibilities:

• Developing and deploying UAV simulation environments using AirSim or its derivatives.

• Designing and implementing navigation, planning, and obstacle avoidance algorithms using ROS2.

• Conducting simulation studies and hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) testing.

• Collaborating with NAU researchers on algorithm integration, system testing, and field validation.

• Participating in co-authorship of technical publications and supporting data-driven forestry applications.

Minimum Qualifications:

A Ph.D. in any of the following areas: Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, Robotics, or a related field.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Proficiency in algorithm development for autonomous systems.

• Experience with ROS2, UAV simulation (e.g., AirSim), and real-time system integration.

• Strong programming skills in C++ and Python.

• Excellent communication and collaborative skills.
  Experience with SLAM, sensor fusion, LiDAR/depth camera data processing.

• Familiarity with deep learning for obstacle avoidance (e.g., map-less navigation).

• Background in environmental sensing or forestry applications.

• Prior involvement in hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) or UAV field

Additional Application Materials Required:

Please provide contact information for at least three references. If you advance to the final stage of the application process, references will be contacted via automated email, which may be filtered into spam or junk folders. We recommend informing your references in advance.

Special Instructions to the Applicants:

The Ph.D. must be conferred before the commencement of employment in the Postdoctoral Scholar position at the University of Central Florida.

This position is based at UCF for an initial term of 10 months, with an expectation to continue at NAU for subsequent phases of the project, including field implementation and experimentation. Extension is possible depending on funding.

Are you ready to unleash YOUR potential?

As a next-generation public research university and Forbes-ranked top employer in Florida, we are a community of thinkers, doers, creators, innovators, healers, and leaders striving to create broader prosperity and help shape a better future. No matter what your role is, when you join Knight Nation, you'll play an integral role at one of the most impactful universities in the country. You'll be met with opportunities to connect and collaborate with talented faculty, staff, and students across 13 colleges and multiple campuses, engaging in impactful work that makes a positive difference. Your time at UCF will provide you with many meaningful opportunities to grow, you'll work alongside talented colleagues on complex projects that will challenge you and help you gain new skills and you'll have countless rewarding experiences that go well beyond a paycheck.

Are Benefits Important to You?

State Benefits eligibility for OPS employees are subject to criteria established by the State of Florida. The state's benefits administrator, People First, determines eligibility and coordinates enrollment. If this position becomes eligible for state benefits the employee will be notified directly by People First. OPS positions are not entitled to paid time off.

Unless explicitly stated on the job posting, it is UCF's expectation that an employee of UCF will reside in Florida as of the date the employment begins.

Additional Requirements related to Research Positions:

Pursuant to Florida State Statute 1010.35, prior to offering employment to certain individuals in research-related positions, UCF is required to conduct additional screening. Applicants subject to additional screening include any citizen of a foreign country who is not a permanent resident of the U.S., or who is a citizen or permanent resident but is affiliated with or has had at least 1 year of education, employment, or training in China, Cuba, Iran, Russia, North Korea, Syria, or Venezuela.

The additional screening requirements only apply to research-related positions, including, but not limited to faculty, graduate positions, individuals compensated by research grants or contract funds, postdoctoral positions, undergraduate positions, visiting assistant professors, and visiting research associates.

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As a Florida public university, the University of Central Florida makes all application materials and selection procedures available to the public upon request.

UCF is proud to be a smoke-free campus and an E-Verify employer.

If an accommodation due to a disability is needed to apply for this position, please call 407-823-1336 or email onac@ucf.edu.