Opening: One Postdoctoral Research Associate
Dr. Like Li’s research group is looking to hire a postdoctoral research associate immediately for a U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Solar Energy Technologies Office (SETO) - funded project on reactive-particle based high-temperature thermochemical energy storage (see our SETO-22 project for more details). Applicants should have demonstrated expertise in solar (thermochemical) receiver/reactor design and testing. Research experience with studying of fluid-solid interactions, particle movement and granular flow, solid-state material reduction/oxidation kinetics, and high-temperature radiation transfer is highly desired.
Interested applicants should have strong experimental and analytical skills and demonstrate intellectual independence, should be a team player that is able to collaborate with external members from academia, industry and national labs on reactor design, modeling, and reactor assembly & testing in the lab as well as under a high flux solar furnace, and possess good oral and written communication skills.
If you are interested in this position, please email Prof. Like Li (like.li@ucf.edu) the following documents as one combined PDF application.
1. A CV including publications and a list of three references;
2. A statement of interest (less than 2 pages) that explains why you are interested in working with my group on the research topics;
3. A research statement (less than 2 pages) that explains your qualifications for working on the research project.
Openings: Two PhD Student GRAs
There are currently two openings for fully funded PhD students (start in Fall 2025 or Spring 2026)
We are always looking for highly motivated PhD students to join Dr. Like Li’s group (Thermal Energy Storage and Decarbonization Lab) in the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering (MAE) and the Center for Advanced Turbomachinary and Energy Research (CATER) at the University of Central Florida. Visiting students and research scholars are also welcome.
A PhD candidate should have a BS or MS degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Thermal Engineering, Materials Science and Engineering or any relevant fields, with outstanding academic records. For modeling focused applicants, a strong background in fluid mechanics and heat transfer with programming experience (using Fortran, C or C++) is preferred. For experiments focused applicants, a strong background in material synthesis and testing, receiver/reactor design and testing is preferred.
Full financial support will be provided with competitive stipends, benefits and tuition waiver. We strive to provide a stimulating, interdisciplinary environment with exciting research topics and excellent colleagues where the candidates can be trained to become outstanding independent researchers, with sufficient freedom to explore their own ideas while working on well-designed projects.
Candidates interested are encouraged to contact Dr. Li at like.li@ucf.edu, with the current CV/Resume and the contact information of at least two references. More information about our research can be found at https://sites.google.com/site/msstatemetfsec/.