Postdoctoral Research Position in Porous Media and Biological Flows (Jan, 2026)
A two-year postdoctoral research position with a possibility of renewal is available in the FluidTrans Research Group in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at Iowa State University. The position is available immediately, with a flexible start date. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled.
The postdoctoral researcher will conduct experimental and theoretical/computational studies of viscous flow through deformable and swelling porous media, with a focus on understanding the fundamental transport mechanisms relevant to biological systems (e.g., brain tissue, perivascular spaces, optic nerve sheath). The research is supported by funded NSF, NIH, and NASA awards and involves close integration of theory, experiments, and simulations.
Experimental expertise (e.g., benchtop flow experiments, porous media experiments, hydrogel experiments, imaging, and microfluidics) is preferred, but candidates with strengths in theoretical modeling, asymptotic analysis, or numerical simulations are also encouraged to apply.
Requirements:
PhD in Mechanical Engineering, Applied Mathematics, Physics, Chemical Engineering, or a related field. Applicants with strong backgrounds in experimental fluid mechanics, particularly in the areas of porous media flows and transport phenomena, are preferred.
Please email the following to saikatm@iastate.edu with the subject line “Postdoc Application – Porous Media Flows:”
1. A detailed CV
2. A brief (~3 sentences) statement describing your background and fit for the position
About Iowa State University and Ames
Iowa State University is a Carnegie R1 institution with internationally recognized strengths in fluid mechanics, computational physics, and artificial intelligence. The university provides excellent computational and laboratory facilities, as well as a collaborative research environment. Ames, Iowa, is consistently ranked among the best college towns in the U.S., offering a high quality of life, affordable living, and a welcoming academic community.