Position Opening: Lighter than Air (LTA) Unmanned Aerial Vehicle

A Ph.D. research assistant position and a M.S. research assistant position are anticipated to open starting in the Fall semester of 2020.  

The Ph.D. position will require participating in both the development and testing of the LTA flight vehicle and associated hardware, continued development of simulation and computational efforts, as well as coordinating (and participating) in field testing operations.  Position requirements (in addition to all requirements for acceptance into the Mechanical Engineering Graduate Program as outlined in https://umaine.edu/mecheng/graduate-program/) include:

• Completed M.S. or equivalent in mechanical or aerospace/aeronautical engineering
• Good background in low speed aerodynamics and vehicle simulation and control
• Excellent communication skills
• Good teamwork ability, and ability to perform self directed work
• Desirable:  Experience with remotely piloted vehicles (FAR 107 certification a bonus)

The M.S. position will focus on the structural development of the flight vehicles including the application of renewable forest bioproducts for this application, and an analysis of the sustainability of this type of vehicles.  Position requirements (in addition to all requirements for acceptance into the Mechanical Engineering Graduate Program as outlined in https://umaine.edu/mecheng/graduate-program/) include:

• Completed B.Sc. or equivalent in mechanical or aerospace/aeronautical engineering (or similar fields)
• Good background in lightweight structures and lifecycle assessment and sustainability
• Excellent communication skills
• Good teamwork ability, and ability to perform self directed work

Both positions are contingent on project funding becoming available.  Please contact Dr. Friess (wilhelm.friess@maine.edu) for further information or to discuss the opportunity.