Assistant Research Scientist

# Assistant Research Scientist University of Michigan Ann Arbor, MIFull-Time Aug 06, 2026

Education##

Job Description ##

How to Apply

A cover letter is required for consideration for this position and should be attached as the first page of your resume. The cover letter should address your specific interest in the position and outline skills and experience that directly relate to this position.## Who We Are The Department of Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, was started in 1879 with an act of Congress authorizing a Navy officer to teach "steam engineering and iron shipbuilding."  

Since this modest beginning, NAME has grown into a worldwide leader in education and research, with 25 faculty and 11 staff, serving our undergraduate and graduate students along with a network of some 3,000 living alumni.  Our department continues to develop engineers and technology to advance the state-of-the-art systems operating in the marine environment.  The department's students and faculty engage in a wide range of research, with specialists working in hydrodynamics;

marine and offshore structures; dynamics, control and marine system integration; robotics and autonomy; yacht design; design, production, and management; marine renewable energy; and structural and hydro-acoustics.  The Department has access to outstanding computational resources as well as the experimental facilities of the Marine Hydrodynamics Laboratory, with its large physical modeling basin, which serves as a vital resource.## Mission Statement At Michigan Engineering, we develop the talent and technologies that move society forward and serve our state and national interests.

Through discovery and innovation, we create the foundational knowledge and practical technologies to solve not only today's most pressing challenges, but also power industries and change lives. Our programs and community are designed to promote personal well-being and achievement - enabling everyone to unlock their potential and contribute with confidence.## Responsibilities The Assistant Research Scientist position has the following responsibilities in the Welded Structures Lab led by Prof.

Pingsha Dong:
* Lead computational method development and problem solving for dissimilar material joining and unjoining to support funded projects, e.g., those by EVC and DOE ARPA

E.
* Develop and implement user element (UEL) techniques for performing electric vehicle durability simulation.
* Refine computational methods for evaluating distributed defects in additively manufactured (AM) metallic components to support safety-critical applications.
* Mentor Ph.D. students engaged in related research activities.##

Required Qualifications
* Ph.D. in Computational Fracture Mechanics or a closely related field.
* At least four (4) years of postdoctoral research experience or equivalent.
* Demonstrated expertise in fracture mechanics modeling of welded components and structures and modeling distributed defects in additively manufactured (AM) metallic components, as evidenced by peer-reviewed journal publications.
* Demonstrated experience in user element (UEL) development for interfacing with commercial finite element code ABAQUS for fatigue evaluation of spot welds, seam welds, and mechanically fastened joints, as evidenced by achieved journal publications.## Modes of Work Positions that are eligible for hybrid or mobile/remote work mode are at the discretion of the hiring department. Work agreements are reviewed annually at a minimum and are subject to change at any time, and for any reason, throughout the course of employment.

Learn more about the work modes.## Final date to receive applications

Job openings are posted for a minimum of seven calendar days.  The review and selection process may begin as early as the eighth day after posting. This opening may be removed from posting boards and filled anytime after the minimum posting period has ended.## U-M EEO Statement The University of Michigan is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to providing an environment of mutual respect where equal employment opportunities are available to…