What are the responsibilities and job description for the Associate in Research position at Duke MEMS Graduate Student Committee?
Duke University, Mechanical Engineering and Materials Science
Position ID
Duke-MEMS-BERTRAM [#32083]
Position Title
Associate in Research
Position Type
Postdoctoral
Position Location:
Durham, North Carolina 27701, United States of America
Subject Areas
Engineering / Materials Science, Materials Science and Engineering, Mechanical Engineering
Appl Deadline
2026/05/26 03:59 AM UTC (posted 2026/05/18 04:00 AM UTC, listed until 2026/05/26 03:59 AM UTC)
Position Description
Position Description
Duke University was created in 1924 through an indenture of trust by James Buchanan Duke. Today, Duke is regarded as one of America’s leading research universities. Located in Durham, North Carolina, Duke is positioned in the heart of the Research Triangle, which is ranked annually as one of the best places in the country to work and live. Duke has more than 15,000 students who study and conduct research in its 10 undergraduate, graduate and professional schools. With about 40,000 employees, Duke is the third largest private employer in North Carolina, and it now has international programs in more than 150 countries.
The Pratt School of Engineering at Duke University is one of the fastest rising, highly ranked engineering schools in the nation. The school consists of four departments with 130 tenure-track faculty members, 1250 undergraduate students, 1400 master’s students, and 600 PhD students. Housed within a university renowned for its programs in the liberal arts, medicine, business and law, Pratt prepares future engineering leaders to address complex challenges with solutions that take into account the complexities and nuances of implementing them. Pratt takes a whole-student approach to education, ensuring students are well supported throughout their journeys and graduate with the grit and determination required to persevere in their careers and their lives. Pratt is dedicated to the values of diversity, equitability, inclusivity and community in its pursuit of knowledge and service to society.
Occupational Summary
An individual with academic credentials but without a doctorate and not a degree candidate. Assists faculty members in research programs by participating in the research directly or in organizing a program under which the research is carried out. This classification is administered on Campus through the Office of the Provost and in the Medical Center throughout the office of the Chancellor for Health Affairs. Is it not subject to the Wage and Salary system.
Work Performed
The intern will perform computational simulations of the flow through a SCRAMJET engine with flexible flows. The deformation of the flexible walls and the consequent change in the flow field are of primary interest.
Minimum Qualifications
Education
Master’s degree in engineering discipline (e.g. mechanical engineering).
Experience
Experience conducting research in surgical skill assessment and writing for academic publication.
Skills
MediaPipe, hand tracking, 3D printing, surgical knot-tying assessment.
The intent of this job description is to provide a representative and level of the types of duties and responsibilities that will be required of the positions given this title and shall not be construed as a declaration of the total of the specific duties and responsibilities of any particular position. Employees may be directed to perform job-related tasks other than those specifically presented in this description.
Duke is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer committed to providing employment opportunity without regard to an individual's age, color, disability, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, or veteran status.
Duke aspires to create a community built on collaboration, innovation, creativity, and belonging. Our collective success depends on the robust exchange of ideas—an exchange that is best when the rich diversity of our perspectives, backgrounds, and experiences flourishes. To achieve this exchange, it is essential that all members of the community feel secure and welcome, that the contributions of all individuals are respected, and that all voices are heard. All members of our community have a responsibility to uphold these values.
Essential Physical Job Functions
Certain jobs at Duke University and Duke University Health System may include essential job functions that require specific physical and/or mental abilities. Additional information and provision for requests for reasonable accommodation will be provided by each hiring department.
Duke is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to providing employment opportunity without regard to an individual's age, color, disability, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, (including pregnancy and pregnancy related conditions), sexual orientation, or military status.
Duke aspires to create a community built on collaboration, innovation, creativity, and belonging. Our collective success depends on the robust exchange of ideas—an exchange that is best when the rich diversity of our perspectives, backgrounds, and experiences flourishes. To achieve this exchange, it is essential that all members of the community feel secure and welcome, that the contributions of all individuals are respected, and that all voices are heard. All members of our community have a responsibility to uphold these values.
Application Materials Required
Submit the following items online at this website to complete your application:
And anything else requested in the position description.
www.mems.duke.edu
919-660-5359
Duke University
Dept. of Mechanical Engineering and Materials Science
Box 90300
Durham, NC 27708
Position ID
Duke-MEMS-BERTRAM [#32083]
Position Title
Associate in Research
Position Type
Postdoctoral
Position Location:
Durham, North Carolina 27701, United States of America
Subject Areas
Engineering / Materials Science, Materials Science and Engineering, Mechanical Engineering
Appl Deadline
2026/05/26 03:59 AM UTC (posted 2026/05/18 04:00 AM UTC, listed until 2026/05/26 03:59 AM UTC)
Position Description
Position Description
Duke University was created in 1924 through an indenture of trust by James Buchanan Duke. Today, Duke is regarded as one of America’s leading research universities. Located in Durham, North Carolina, Duke is positioned in the heart of the Research Triangle, which is ranked annually as one of the best places in the country to work and live. Duke has more than 15,000 students who study and conduct research in its 10 undergraduate, graduate and professional schools. With about 40,000 employees, Duke is the third largest private employer in North Carolina, and it now has international programs in more than 150 countries.
The Pratt School of Engineering at Duke University is one of the fastest rising, highly ranked engineering schools in the nation. The school consists of four departments with 130 tenure-track faculty members, 1250 undergraduate students, 1400 master’s students, and 600 PhD students. Housed within a university renowned for its programs in the liberal arts, medicine, business and law, Pratt prepares future engineering leaders to address complex challenges with solutions that take into account the complexities and nuances of implementing them. Pratt takes a whole-student approach to education, ensuring students are well supported throughout their journeys and graduate with the grit and determination required to persevere in their careers and their lives. Pratt is dedicated to the values of diversity, equitability, inclusivity and community in its pursuit of knowledge and service to society.
Occupational Summary
An individual with academic credentials but without a doctorate and not a degree candidate. Assists faculty members in research programs by participating in the research directly or in organizing a program under which the research is carried out. This classification is administered on Campus through the Office of the Provost and in the Medical Center throughout the office of the Chancellor for Health Affairs. Is it not subject to the Wage and Salary system.
Work Performed
The intern will perform computational simulations of the flow through a SCRAMJET engine with flexible flows. The deformation of the flexible walls and the consequent change in the flow field are of primary interest.
Minimum Qualifications
Education
Master’s degree in engineering discipline (e.g. mechanical engineering).
Experience
Experience conducting research in surgical skill assessment and writing for academic publication.
Skills
MediaPipe, hand tracking, 3D printing, surgical knot-tying assessment.
The intent of this job description is to provide a representative and level of the types of duties and responsibilities that will be required of the positions given this title and shall not be construed as a declaration of the total of the specific duties and responsibilities of any particular position. Employees may be directed to perform job-related tasks other than those specifically presented in this description.
Duke is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer committed to providing employment opportunity without regard to an individual's age, color, disability, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, or veteran status.
Duke aspires to create a community built on collaboration, innovation, creativity, and belonging. Our collective success depends on the robust exchange of ideas—an exchange that is best when the rich diversity of our perspectives, backgrounds, and experiences flourishes. To achieve this exchange, it is essential that all members of the community feel secure and welcome, that the contributions of all individuals are respected, and that all voices are heard. All members of our community have a responsibility to uphold these values.
Essential Physical Job Functions
Certain jobs at Duke University and Duke University Health System may include essential job functions that require specific physical and/or mental abilities. Additional information and provision for requests for reasonable accommodation will be provided by each hiring department.
Duke is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to providing employment opportunity without regard to an individual's age, color, disability, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, (including pregnancy and pregnancy related conditions), sexual orientation, or military status.
Duke aspires to create a community built on collaboration, innovation, creativity, and belonging. Our collective success depends on the robust exchange of ideas—an exchange that is best when the rich diversity of our perspectives, backgrounds, and experiences flourishes. To achieve this exchange, it is essential that all members of the community feel secure and welcome, that the contributions of all individuals are respected, and that all voices are heard. All members of our community have a responsibility to uphold these values.
Application Materials Required
Submit the following items online at this website to complete your application:
- Cover letter
- Curriculum Vitae
- Three reference letters (to be submitted online by the reference writers on this site )
And anything else requested in the position description.
www.mems.duke.edu
919-660-5359
Duke University
Dept. of Mechanical Engineering and Materials Science
Box 90300
Durham, NC 27708