Job Posting Title: 

Post Doctoral Scholar

The Opportunity:

The SHIELD Lab in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at the University of Central Florida (UCF) is seeking a motivated Postdoctoral Scholar through UCF’s Preeminent Postdoctoral Program (P3) to conduct research at the intersection of structural dynamics and sensing, human-centered intelligent infrastructure, signal processing, machine learning, and data science.

The successful candidate will work with Dr. Yohanna Mejia Cruz on the development of sensing and computational frameworks to characterize human mobility and behavior, with a particular focus on individuals with physical and cognitive impairments. The research will explore how the built environment can serve as a source of information to better understand mobility patterns, identify changes in behavior and potentially unsafe events, and support safer and more independent living. Approaches may integrate vibration-based and multi-modal sensing, structural dynamics, signal processing, sensor fusion, machine learning, and data-driven modeling, with the broader goal of advancing human-centered intelligent infrastructure, smart cities, and resilient communities.

The postdoctoral scholar will have the opportunity to play an active role in shaping a growing research program, collaborate with researchers across engineering, health, rehabilitation, and other interdisciplinary fields, mentor graduate and undergraduate researchers, lead peer-reviewed publications, present research at national and international conferences, and contribute to the development of competitive research proposals.

Responsibilities

• Conduct independent and collaborative research aligned with the research mission of the SHIELD Lab.

• Design and conduct experimental studies involving structural and human-centered sensing.

• Develop and implement computational frameworks for processing and analyzing vibration, sensor, mobility, and mmulti-modal data.

• Develop reproducible research workflows and maintain well-documented research code and datasets.

• Lead and contribute to manuscripts for peer-reviewed journals and conference proceedings.

• Present research findings at national and international conferences and professional meetings.

• Contribute to research proposals, technical reports, and other scholarly products.

• Mentor graduate and undergraduate researchers.

• Collaborate with interdisciplinary research partners at UCF and other institutions.

Research Environment

The SHIELD Lab is a growing research group currently housed at the University of Central Florida. The successful candidate will have the opportunity to help shape emerging research directions within the lab, develop an independent research profile, establish interdisciplinary collaborations, mentor students, and contribute to the growth of a new research program at UCF.

The position is supported through UCF’s Preeminent Postdoctoral Program (P3), which provides additional opportunities and resources for the scholar’s professional development.

Minimum Qualifications: 

 • Ph.D. in Civil Engineering, Structural Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, or a closely related field, from an accreditied institution, with demonstrated expertise relevant to structural dynamics, sensing, signal processing, or data-driven analysis of physical systems.

• Strong programming skills in Python, including experience with scientific computing and data analysis.

• Strong quantitative, analytical, and problem-solving skills.

• Demonstrated ability to conduct independent research and contribute to peer-reviewed publications.

• Strong scientific writing and communication skills.

• Ability and interest in working collaboratively within an interdisciplinary research environment.

Preferred Qualifications: 

Experience in one or more of the following areas is particularly desirable:

• Experience working with human-subject, mobility, rehabilitation, biomechanical, or health-related data, including experiments involving human participants and familiarity with IRB protocols and procedures.

• Experience working in interdisciplinary research environments, particularly across engineering, health, rehabilitation, or related fields.

Additional Application Materials Required:

UCF requires all applications and supporting documents to be submitted electronically through the Human Resources employment opportunities website, https://www.ucf.edu/jobs/. In addition to the online application, interested candidates should upload the following:

• A curriculum vitae.

NOTE: Please have all documents ready when applying so they can be simultaneously uploaded. Once the online submission process is finalized, the system does not allow applicants to submit additional documents later.

The selected candidate will be required to submit official transcripts (and, as applicable, U.S. degree equivalency evaluations) documenting the conferral of their qualifying academic credentials.

Questions regarding this search should be directed to: Dr Yohanna Majia Cruz at [email protected]

Special Instructions to the Applicants:

All applicants must be authorized to work for any U.S. employer. H-1B visa sponsorship is not available for this position, and the university cannot accommodate H-1B transfers or employment-based visa processing for individuals currently sponsored by another employer.

Job Close Date: 09/14/26

Are you ready to unleash YOUR potential?

As a next-generation public research university and Forbes-ranked top employer in Florida, we are a community of thinkers, doers, creators, innovators, healers, and leaders striving to create broader prosperity and help shape a better future. No matter what your role is, when you join Knight Nation, you’ll play an integral role at one of the most impactful universities in the country. You’ll be met with opportunities to connect and collaborate with talented faculty, staff, and students across 13 colleges and multiple campuses, engaging in impactful work that makes a positive difference. Your time at UCF will provide you with many meaningful opportunities to grow, you’ll work alongside talented colleagues on complex projects that will challenge you and help you gain new skills and you’ll have countless rewarding experiences that go well beyond a paycheck.

Unless explicitly stated on the job posting, it is UCF’s expectation that an employee of UCF will reside in Florida as of the date the employment begins.

Additional Requirements related to Research Positions:

Pursuant to Florida State Statute 1010.35, prior to offering employment to certain individuals in research-related positions, UCF is required to conduct additional screening. Applicants subject to additional screening include any citizen of a foreign country who is not a permanent resident of the U.S., or who is a citizen or permanent resident but is affiliated with or has had at least 1 year of education, employment, or training in China, Cuba, Iran, Russia, North Korea, Syria, or Venezuela.

The additional screening requirements only apply to research-related positions, including, but not limited to faculty, graduate positions, individuals compensated by research grants or contract funds, post-doctoral positions, undergraduate positions, visiting assistant professors, and visiting research associates.

Department

Work Schedule

Type of Appointment

Expected Salary

The University of Central Florida is an equal opportunity employer that does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment based on any characteristic protected by law.  The University maintains programs for protected veterans and individuals with disabilities in accordance with all applicable federal and state laws.

As a Florida public university, the University of Central Florida makes all application materials and selection procedures available to the public upon request.  

UCF is proud to be a smoke-free campus and an E-Verify employer. 

For general application or posting questions, please email [email protected].

If an accommodation due to a disability is needed to apply for this position, please email [email protected].