"Postdoctoral Scholar Mechanical Engineering"

Position overview

Position title: Postdoctoral Scholar

Salary range: Annual Starting Salary: See table 23 for the position salary range based on experience $69,073 - $82,836.

Percent time: 100

Anticipated start: November 1, 2025

Position duration: 2 years 11/1/2025-11/1/2027

Application Window

Open date: September 5, 2025

Most recent review date: Thursday, Oct 16, 2025 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time)

Applications received after this date will be reviewed by the search committee if the position has not yet been filled.

Final date: Wednesday, Dec 31, 2025 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time)

Applications will continue to be accepted until this date, but those received after the review date will only be considered if the position has not yet been filled.

Position description

The Lab of Dr. Ricardo de Castro is looking for a qualified, creative, highly motivated postdoctoral scholar to conduct research at the intersection of robotics, controls, and machine learning. The successful candidate will help shape next-generation approaches for autonomous multi-robot systems, integrating advanced theory with real-world deployment.

The Postdoctoral Scholar will be responsible for:

• Designing and implementing learning-based motion planning and control strategies for multi-robot systems.
• Analyzing the theoretical guarantees of these frameworks using tools from optimization, machine learning, and control theory.
• Developing simulation environments to test and benchmark the developed control frameworks.
• Experimentally validating these methods through field experiments with real-world robotic platforms.

The Postdoctoral Scholar will also collaborate closely with the laboratory members to execute planned research tasks, collect and analyze data, and disseminate findings through top-tier scientific publications. The Postdoctoral Scholar will also have the opportunity to mentor graduate and undergraduate students actively involved in the laboratory.

Qualifications

Basic qualifications

The applicant applying for the Postdoctoral Scholar must have a PhD degree in Electrical, Mechanical or Computer Engineering. Excellent written and verbal communication skills are required.

Preferred qualifications

• Applicants are preferred to have a strong background in controls and hands-on experience with robotic systems.
• Applicants that are highly self-motivated individuals, who have demonstrated the ability to work independently are desirable.

Application Requirements

Document requirements

• Curriculum Vitae - Your most recently updated C.V.
• Cover Letter
• Authorization to Release Information Form - As a condition of employment, the finalist will be required to disclose if they are subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct.
  'Misconduct' means any violation of the policies or laws governing conduct at the applicant's previous place of employment, including, but not limited to, violations of policies or laws prohibiting sexual harassment, sexual assault, or other forms of harassment or discrimination, as defined by the employer.
  Required Authorization of Information Release may be found here. Please complete, sign, and upload the required Authorization of Information Release to your application.

Reference requirements

• 3 letters of reference required

Apply link: https://aprecruit.ucmerced.edu/JPF02021

Help contact: soe-adminopservices@ucmerced.edu