Postdoctoral Research Fellow in Comparative Animal Biomechanics, Spring 2026 at Chapman University

The Comparative Biomaterials Lab (https://sites.chapman.edu/fudge/) at Schmid College of Science and Technology of Chapman University invites applications for a Postdoctoral Fellow position in Animal Biomechanics, beginning January 2026 or later (start date negotiable). 

The position is funded by a National Science Foundation grant that aims to understand the biophysics of hagfish defensive slime deployment and how this unique material expands by 10,000 times in less than 0.4 seconds. We also aim to characterize how this material varies among hagfish species that differ in phylogeny, body size, depth range, habitat, and lifestyle. The postdoctoral research fellow will contribute to a collaborative, interdisciplinary project and will focus on a set of experiments that will make use of high-speed videomicroscopy, a custom-built turbulence tank, and particle image velocimetry methods.

Chapman University, located in the heart of Orange County, California, offers traditional undergraduate programs in the arts and sciences and select pre-professional and graduate programs. The university is a nationally ranked R2 research institution with a commitment to excellence through world-class research and innovative teaching. Science and engineering programs at Chapman are growing rapidly and are housed in the new Keck Center for Science and Engineering. More information is available here: www.chapman.edu/keckcenter.

Key Responsibilities
We are seeking early career scientists who will have the following responsibilities as a postdoctoral fellow:

Lead Project Development and Implementation:

• Take a leadership role in the development and testing of a custom tank that will allow us to generate turbulence over a range of Reynolds numbers.
• Oversee data collection using the custom high speed videomicroscopy setup and turbulence tank.
• Analyze data from PIV experiments in the turbulence tank.
• Coordinate the preparation and deployment of interventions, ensuring alignment with project goals and timelines.

Collaborative Engagement:

• Work closely with the project PI, two technicians and multiple undergraduate researchers.
• Lead group lab meeting at least once per semester.

Research and Analysis:

• Lead the analysis of collected data.
• Prepare and present research findings at conferences and workshops, contributing to the broader dissemination of our research findings.

Required qualifications:

• A PhD, or equivalent degree in Comparative Biomechanics or equivalent. Degree must be awarded in the last 5 years. 

Preferred qualifications:

• Demonstrated expertise in fluid mechanics research
• Demonstrated ability to work both autonomously and collaboratively
• Excellent communication and organizational skills
• A strong background in animal biophysics, with experience collecting and analyzing PIV data
• Experience and/or potential to mentor students of various levels.

Interested candidates should submit the following materials via Interfolio:
1.    Cover letter
2.    Current CV – including date of PhD conferral
3.    Contact information for three professional references.
4.    Research statement detailing past research experiences, current research interests

Review of applications will begin December 1, 2025 and will continue until the position is filled.  Please address any questions to Dr. Douglas Fudge at [email protected], using "Post Doc Position" as the email subject line.

This assignment is set to begin January 5, 2026. Successful completion of a background check is required for the final candidate. This position is subject to final budget approval. The salary for this Postdoctoral Research Fellow position is $70,304.