Postdoc Research Scholar - Digital Twins and Federated Learning Advanced Manufacturing

Postdoc Research Scholar - Digital Twins and Federated Learning for Advanced Manufacturing – #270021

Western Carolina University continues to rank high on Forbes 'Best Employers' lists each year. Including:

• * 2025 - Ranked 1st in the top 100 employers in North Carolina in Forbes 'America's Best Employers by State' list.
• * 2024 - Ranking in the top 8.5% on Forbes 'America's Best Midsize Employers' list, WCU was ranked 34 out of the top 400 employers across all industries.
• * 2023 - Ranked in the top 20% on Forbes 'America's Best Midsize Employers' list, WCU was ranked 97 out of the top 500 employers across all industries.
• * 2022 - Ranked 14th in the top 100 employers in North Carolina in Forbes 'America's Best Employers by State' list.

Western Carolina University is the UNC system's westernmost campus and has been consistently ranked as one of the top 15 public regional institutions in the South.

• Employees of WCU are provided a comprehensive benefits package as well as other resources, policies and programs to ensure a happy and healthy work/life balance. Benefit eligible employees have access to dental, vision and health insurance plans - eligibility begins on the first of the month following date of hire.
• Retirement plan contributions begin on the eligibility date following election and include employer contributions for either a defined contribution or a defined benefit plan. Optional disability plans are also available.
• Eligible employees have access to tuition waivers for up to three courses per academic year; employee may enroll at any of the constituent UNC System campuses. Also offered are free group exercise classes multiple times per week, a discounted membership to the campus recreation center, free vaccine and booster shots offered on campus, pretax flexible spending accounts, 12 paid holidays and 24 hours of paid community service leave each year.
  
  Leave earning employees (staff and 12-month faculty) who work at least half of the working days of their first month of employment will begin accruing vacation and sick leave immediately. Paid parental leave after 12 months of continuous service.
• WCU offers an abundance of training and development programs, certifications, workshops and conferences - many of which are offered free of charge.

The primary location of this position is on-site in Cullowhee, NC. Those serving in this position should expect periodic travel to partner manufacturing site in North Carolina. Remote work is not available.

This is a full-time, 12-month, time-limited, grant-funded appointment anticipated to begin on or about January 1, 2027 and continue through June 30, 2029. Renewal is expected to occur annually and is contingent on satisfactory performance and continued funding.

The primary purpose of this position is to conduct postdoctoral research supporting the digital twin workstream of the Personalized Federated Learning Framework for Advanced Manufacturing Environments. The position develops, calibrates, and validates digital twin simulation models for manufacturing equipment, processes, and material behavior; integrates machine learning capabilities within the digital twin and federated learning environment; and supports evaluation and deployment of the framework at industry partner sites.

The position also contributes to scholarly publications, project deliverables, student mentoring, curriculum modules, and hands‑on training activities as a member of a joint Western Carolina University and North Carolina State University research team. The position reports to the project principal investigator.

• Advanced knowledge of modeling and simulation methods for physical or manufacturing systems, including digital…