Rocky Mountain

Professor Yalin's research group in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at Colorado State University (CSU) has openings for Postdoctoral Fellow / Research Scientist position(s) and Graduate Research Assistants (GRAs) to start in Spring 2025 and/or Fall 2025. Projects are in collaboration with faculty at the CSU Powerhouse Energy Campus (Dr Bret Windom; Dr Ciprian Dumitrache) and the CSU Center for Electric Propulsion and Plasma Engineering (Dr John Williams). The faculty team are leaders in their disciplines with a history of extensive funding from federal agencies (NASA, DOE, ARPA-E, AFOSR/AFRL, NSF…) along with many industry sponsors.

We are hiring for the following projects:

1. Laser Sensing of Trace Atmospheric Hydrogen: The growth of the hydrogen economy is anticipated to play a crucial role in global decarbonization efforts. Hydrogen is not a direct greenhouse gas but does still contribute radiative forcing. There is therefore an emerging need for sensors to quantify hydrogen emissions from real world infrastructure. Our group has recently been selected by the US DOE ARPA-E to develop a novel hydrogen sensor based on photoacoustic stimulated Raman spectroscopy (PARS): https://arpa-e.energy.gov/technologies/exploratory-topics/H2SENSE

2. Diagnostics for Electric (Space) Propulsion: The US federal government has been increasingly investing in space propulsion owing to space exploration goals, defense priorities, and new technology opportunities. Our group is funded under the ongoing NASA funded Joint Advanced Propulsion Institute (JANUS) and has recently been selected as part of a new Space Strategic Technology Institute. Our group will be working on novel laser diagnostic techniques to measure ion dynamics and plasma characteristics, including for new molecular propellants, using techniques such as LIF. Links: https://januselectricpropulsion.com/; https://spacenews.com/space-force-awards-45-million-to-universities-for-propulsion-and-power-research/?utm_medium=email&utm_source=rasa_io&utm_campaign=newsletter

More details about the Dr. Yalin’s research group and collaborating labs can be found at:

- https://www.engr.colostate.edu/laboratories/clsd/
- https://energy.colostate.edu/powerhouse/
- https://projects-web.engr.colostate.edu/ionstand/index.php

Graduate Student Openings: Applying MSc/PhD students should be self-motivated with demonstrated technical excellence and degree in an Engineering or Physics field. Background in lasers, optics, plasma and/or vacuum systems is desirable but not required. Interested students should email Dr. Yalin (azer.yalin@colostate.edu) with a resume/CV and unofficial transcript.

More information on the Department of Mechanical Engineering at CSU and city of Fort Collins, CO: https://www.engr.colostate.edu/me/; https://www.fcgov.com/

Contact Information

Contact Name: Azer Yalin
Employer: Colorado State University
Work Phone: (970) 232-5545
Website
Email: Azer.Yalin@ColoState.EDU