Nondestructive Evaluation Research Scientist II

Position Title:

Nondestructive Evaluation Research Scientist II

Job Group:

Professional & Scientific

Required Minimum Qualifications:

Bachelor’s degree and 2 years of related experience

Preferred Qualifications:

PhD in Mechanical Engineering, Engineering Mechanics or a closely related field
Experience in ultrasonic theory and modeling
Understanding of wave propagation phenomena and phenomena specific to elastic wave propagation and scattering from complex microstructures
Experience with large scale computational problems including distributed computing
Experience with the creation of synthetic microstructures
Ability to formulate wave propagation problems and implement solutions analytically and/or numerically experience with experimental UT measurements
Experience with laboratory ultrasound experimentation
Familiarity with industrial ultrasound inspection practices
Familiarity with industry UT practices

Job Description:

The Center for Nondestructive Evaluation (CNDE) at Iowa State University is seeking candidates for a Nondestructive Evaluation Research Scientist II.

The CNDE teams with industrial and government sponsors who help guide the research at CNDE and share the results. CNDE has a long history of working with industry to provide cost-effective tools and solutions, which address relevant problems for a variety of industrial sectors and applications.

This position will be responsible for the specific area of research in the area of ultrasonics. Candidates are expected to develop new analytical and computational models associated with ultrasonic interactions with material microstructure for applications to several material systems.

Additionally, this position requires in-depth analytical and computational background in wave propagation physics/mathematics as applied to ultrasound NDE. More specifically, the successful candidate will validate models using experimental data such that experimental parameters can be included in subsequent models that may involve single-element or phased array ultrasonic transducers.

Duties

• Assist with the development and sustainment of a program of scholarly research that leads to discoveries and advances the state-of-the-art in ultrasonic NDE topics.
• Perform collaborative research using modeling and computations associated with ultrasonic interactions for materials that have complex microstructures.
• Assist with the writing of collaborative proposals to seek external research funding.
• Prepare and present reports and presentations to fulfill project contractual obligations.
• Publish research results in refereed journal publications, refereed conference proceedings, and other scholarly publications.
• Collaborate with material scientists to understand important challenges for microstructure characterization.
• Provide training to others on microstructure modeling tools and computational codes, as necessary.
• Assist with the mentoring of graduate and undergraduate students who are working on similar topics and projects.
• Conduct exploratory research in response to sponsor needs using ultrasonic models specific to relevant problems.
• Perform experimental ultrasonics measurements on various samples associated with projects.
• Learn new experimental techniques across a broad range of ultrasonic methods including measurements that use immersion, contact, and non-contact transducers, and assist with new experiment design and the corresponding measurements.
• Learn inspection standards as required.
• Engage with relevant professional societies and institutes for professional development.

Level Guidelines

• Intermediate-level position possessing high-level professional and/or technical skills working under general supervision to support ISU’s mission and department or work unit goals
• Applies intermediate-level professional knowledge and expertise to work requiring greater latitude
• Solves moderately complex problems and regularly exercises judgment to determine appropriate action
• Regularly exercises judgment to resolve problems and determine appropriate action on a broad set of issue and problems. May provide recommendations regarding problems/issues outside the bounds of defined procedures and practices
• Responds to moderately complicated inquiries, provides training, and provides direction to other scientists

Appointment Type:

Regular with Term Appointment (Fixed Term)

Proposed End Date or Length of Term:

December 31, 2027

Number of Months Employed Per Year:

12 Month Work Period

Time Type:

Full time

Pay Grade:

PS808

Application Instructions:

To apply for this position, please click on “Apply” and complete the Employment Application. Please be prepared to enter or attach the following: 1) Resume/Curriculum Vitae 2) Letter of Application/Cover Letter If you have questions regarding this application process, please email employment@iastate.edu or call 515-294-4800 or Toll Free: 1-877-477-7485. Why Choose ISU? Iowa State Employees enjoy comprehensive health and work-life benefits, including medical and dental; as well as: • Retirement benefits including defined benefit and defined contribution plans • Generous vacation, holiday and sick time and leave plans • Onsite childcare (Ames, Iowa) • Life insurance and long-term disability • Flexible Spending Accounts • Various voluntary benefits and discounts • Employee Assistance Program • Wellbeing program • Iowa State offers WorkFlex options for some positions. WorkFlex offers flexibility on when, where, and how you do your work. For more information, please speak with the Hiring Manager.

Original Posting Date:

July 16, 2025

Posting Close Date:

July 22, 2025

Job Requisition Number:

R17411