Special Information

• This position is an on-site position which requires the incumbent to complete their work primarily at an NAU site, campus, or facility with or without accommodation. Opportunities for remote work are rare.
• This position is subject to the availability of funding. The incumbent is not eligible for Service Professional non-renewal notice, or Classified Staff layoff or recall status.

About the Department/College

The Nishikawa Laboratory at Northern Arizona University (NAU) and the NSF-funded Integrative Movement Sciences Institute (IMSI) invite applications for a postdoctoral scientist to participate in development, validation, and evaluation of multiscale muscle models from molecules to movement. IMSI is a consortium of ~20 faculty from ~10 universities across the US, which provides extensive opportunities for mentorship and networking, as well as opportunities to visit and collaborate with affiliated research laboratories, including the Functional Biomechanics Lab (PI: Anne Silverman) at the Colorado School of Mines, the Agile Systems lab (PI Simon Sponberg), Bertrand Tanner’s lab at Washington State University, and the Daley/Azizi Neuromuscular Mechanics lab at UC Irvine, among others. 

About the Position

The Postdoctoral Scholar will be mentored by Dr. Kiisa Nishikawa, and co-supervised by at least one other IMSI faculty mentor to perform modeling and experiments using muscles from the Nishikawa (NAU), Tanner (WSU) and Monroy (Claremont Colleges) laboratories, will have the chance to learn x-ray diffraction methods using the BIOCAT beam at the Argonne National laboratory, and will develop spatially explicit models of sarcomere structure and function in collaboration with Drs. Nishikawa, Tanner, and Sponberg.

Applicants should submit:
1) Cover letter describing your qualifications, accomplishments, and research interests,
2) A current curriculum vitae,
3) Contact information (including names, email addresses, and telephone numbers) for three references.

Expected timeline: This is a full-time twelve-month position beginning as early as January 2026 for a term of one year with additional years being possible depending on performance and availability of funds.

For questions about the position or to discuss specific projects of interest, please contact Prof. Kiisa Nishikawa at kiisa.nishikawa@nau.edu.

Responsibilities Include

65% - Research & Data Analysis

• Collaborate with the research team to design and validate computer models.
• Simulate data and lead data analysis efforts.
• Disseminate research projects through conference presentations and journal articles.

20% - Publication & Presentation

• Publish scientific manuscripts based on research findings.
• Present research results at conferences and professional meetings.

5% - Literature Review

• Read and synthesize scientific literature to build expertise and leadership in the project area.

5% - Mentorship & Collaboration

• Mentor graduate and undergraduate students at NAU and within the IMSI network.

5% - Other

• Other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

• PhD in a relevant field such as engineering, physics, mathematics or biology, completed by the start date.

*A combination of related education, experience, and training may be used as an equivalent to the above Minimum Qualifications.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in interdisciplinary team science.
• Experience mentoring students in scientific research.
• Experience in mathematical modeling and simulation, including understanding of Lagrangian dynamics.
• A peer-reviewed publication record that is appropriate for career stage.

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities

Knowledge

• Domain knowledge in biophysics, biomechanics, or energetics.

Skills

• Mathematical modeling, validation, simulation and coding.
• Organizational and project management skills.
• Critical and creative thinking skills.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills (as demonstrated by presentations at professional meetings and peer-reviewed publications).
• Coding skills in Matlab, Python or another suitable language.
• Strong trouble-shooting and problem-solving skills.
• Good organizational skills, time management and attention to detail, to ensure smooth running of research activities.

Abilities

• Ability to take initiative and complete tasks without direct supervision.
• Motivated to learn new skills and knowledge.
• Motivated to perform research in a collaborative environment.
• Establishes and maintains effective working relationships.
• Communicates effectively.
• Possesses strong problem solving, organizational, and analytical capabilities.
• Ability to work and communicate effectively in a collaborative team environment.

Compensation

Budgeted salary is $61,800. Annual salary commensurate with candidate's qualifications and related experience.

Pre-Employment Check

Northern Arizona University requires satisfactory results for the following: a criminal background investigation, an employment history verification and a degree verification (in some cases) prior to employment. You may also be required to complete a fingerprint background check. Also, as an employer in the state of Arizona, NAU is required to participate in the federal E-Verify program that assists employers with verifying new employees' right to work in the United States.

This position has been identified as a safety/security sensitive position. Therefore, per AZ Revised Statute, Northern Arizona University requires satisfactory results for the following: a criminal background investigation, employment history investigation, degree verification (in some cases) and fingerprinting. If you are applying for a job that requires a CDL, you will be required to register with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration Drug & Alcohol Clearinghouse and adhere to the clearinghouse requirements.

Notice of Availability of the Annual Fire and Security Report

Each year Northern Arizona University releases an Annual Security Report. The report is a result of a federal law known as the Clery Act. The report includes Clery reportable crime statistics for the three most recent completed calendar years and discloses procedures, practices and programs NAU uses to keep students and employees safe including how to report crimes or other emergencies occurring on campus. In addition, the Fire Safety Report is combined with the Annual Security Report for the NAU Flagstaff Mountain Campus as this campus has on-campus student housing. This report discloses fire safety policies and procedures related to on-campus student housing and statistics for fires that occurred in those facilities. If you would like a free paper copy of the report, please contact the NAUPD Records Department at (928) 523-8884 or by visiting the department at 525 E. Pine Knoll Drive in Flagstaff.

Immigration Support/Sponsorship

Northern Arizona University will not provide any U.S. immigration support or sponsorship for this position.

Submit your Application

To apply for this position, please click on the "Apply" button on this page. You must submit your application by midnight of the application deadline.

If you are an individual with a disability and need reasonable accommodation to participate in the hiring process, please contact the Disability Resources Office at 928-523-8773, DR@nau.edu, or PO Box 5633, Flagstaff AZ 86011.