For job description, qualifications, and application link, please view the job posting on Workday.
The MATRIX Lab led by Dr. Donald "Bucket" Costello at the University of Maryland (located in Southern Maryland) is seeking a Postdoctoral Research Associate to work on cutting-edge, funded research focused on developing evidence and methodologies for the certification of autonomous systems (primarily drones) to perform safety-critical actions currently reserved for human pilots.
Job Description
The successful candidate will contribute to multiple funded efforts across the lab, with responsibilities including:
- Research & Development: Develop, test, and evaluate theoretical, algorithmic, and experimental methods to generate evidence for the certification and verification of autonomous aerial systems operating in safety-critical domains.
- Project & Lab Assistance: Assist in managing multi-project deliverables, experimental setups, and coordination across ongoing funded research efforts.
- Mentorship & Leadership: Assist with the supervision and mentoring of undergraduate and graduate students in the lab.
- Grant Writing & Proposals: Gain valuable career development experience through contributing to and assisting with grant proposal writing and funding initiatives.
- Implementation & Collaboration: Evaluate theoretical findings in simulation and on physical hardware testbeds, while collaborating with interdisciplinary researchers across UMD and partner organizations.
- Appointment: 12 months, with the potential for renewal subject to performance and funding availability.
- Start Date: As early as possible.
Qualifications
- Must be authorized to work in the United States. This position does not sponsor work visas.
- Ph.D. in Robotics, Aerospace Engineering, Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Systems Engineering, or a closely related field.
- Demonstrated research experience in one or more of the following areas:
- Verification, validation, and certification of autonomous or AI systems
- Safe autonomy, control theory, and decision-making under uncertainty
- Uncrewed Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) / Drones and autonomous flight operations
- Formal methods, safety-critical control (e.g., Control Barrier Functions), or trustworthy AI
- A strong publication record in autonomous systems, robotics, control, aerospace engineering, or related top-tier venues.
- Leadership and organizational skills suitable for assisting with project management and student mentoring across multiple active research efforts.
- Excellent written and oral communication skills.
- Motivated self-starter capable of working independently while actively collaborating within a fast-paced lab environment.
How to Apply
To apply, please email Dr. Costello at dhcost@umd.edu with a single PDF file including:
- A cover letter
- Curriculum Vitae (CV) (maximum 2 pages)
- A brief research statement (maximum 1 pages) outlining your research vision and goals
- Contact information for at least 3 professional references
Full Consideration Date: December 1, 2026 (Applications received by this date will receive full consideration).
