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Job Posting Title:

Research Associate 4

   

Position Type:

Other Academic

   

Department:

LSUAM Engineering - CM - Hazard (Zhihong Pang (00077979))

   

Work Location:

3319 Patrick F. Taylor Hall

   

Pay Grade:

Other Academic

   

Job Description:

The Department of Construction Management is seeking a highly motivated Research Associate 4 to join our team in the field of building science and energy systems. This role is ideal for individuals passionate about advancing the science of sustainable built environments, developing integrated modeling frameworks, and applying their expertise to pressing challenges in energy efficiency, resilience, and occupant health. The successful candidate will contribute to innovative research, perform high-fidelity simulations, and support dissemination through journal publications, conference presentations, and collaborative reports. This position requires a combination of strong technical skills, interdisciplinary perspective, and leadership ability.

The RA4 will be expected to: design and execute advanced simulation studies using multi-scale modeling, computational fluid dynamics (CFD), and whole-building energy simulation tools; apply advanced programming and data analysis methods to integrate models and interpret results; and prepare research deliverables consistent with professional standards. The candidate should be capable of working independently with minimal technical supervision, providing guidance to graduate students, and effectively communicating results to interdisciplinary collaborators. Strong leadership, organizational, and written/oral communication skills are essential for success in this position.

Job Responsibilities:

40% Conduct high-quality research on building-to-battery energy storage system (BESS) integration, including development of benchmark models in Modelica and EnergyPlus, system-level optimization, and performance evaluation under different operational scenarios. Deliver reproducible simulation frameworks and support dissemination through technical reports, publications, and presentations.

40% Conduct advanced research on mold dynamics, indoor air quality, and climate-health interactions in buildings, including multi-scale modeling of fungal growth and dispersion, CFD-based transport analysis, and whole-building simulations. Integrate results to assess occupant exposure and health risks under climate change.

10% Collaborate with interdisciplinary teams and external stakeholders, including LSU partners, NASEM advisory groups, and industry collaborators, to align research objectives and deliverables. Contribute to project meetings, workshops, and outreach efforts.

10% Contribute to proposal development, prepare research manuscripts, and pursue new funding opportunities. Perform additional tasks related to laboratory development and research administration as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications:

Master's Degree in Mechanical Engineering or a related field with two years of experience, or a Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering or a related field with four years of related experience.

   

Additional Job Description:

Special Instructions:

Please include your CV and three professional reference contacts for consideration. For questions regarding this position, contact Zhihong Pang at zpang@lsu.edu.

   

Posting Date:

October 14, 2025

   

Closing Date (Open Until Filled if No Date Specified):

October 28, 2025

  

Additional Position Information:

Background Check - An offer of employment is contingent on a satisfactory pre-employment background check.

Benefits - LSU offers outstanding benefits to eligible employees and their dependents including health, life, dental, and vision insurance; flexible spending accounts; retirement options; various leave options; paid holidays; wellness benefits; tuition exemption for qualified positions; training and development opportunities; employee discounts; and more!

Positions approved to work outside the State of Louisiana shall be employed through Louisiana State University’s partner, nextSource Workforce Solutions, for Employer of Record Services including but not limited to employment, benefits, payroll, and tax compliance. Positions employed through Employer of Record Services will be offered benefits and retirement as applicable through their provider and will not be eligible for State of Louisiana benefits and retirement.

   

Essential Position (Y/N):

   

LSU is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

   

All candidates must have valid U.S. work authorization at the time of hire and maintain that valid work authorization throughout employment. Changes in laws, regulations, or government policies may impact the university’s ability to employ individuals in certain positions. This position is not eligible for H1B visa sponsorship.

   

HCM Contact Information: