Job Description

Job Summary

Please be advised that this position is temporarily funded with the anticipated end date of August 15, 2025. The position may be extended, depending on funding availability.

Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) College of Engineering Technology (CET), Department of Civil Engineering Technology, Environmental Management, and Safety (CETEMS) is inviting applications for multiple Research Assistant positions.
The start date of these positions is negotiable and can be as early as August 15, 2024, but no later than December 15, 2024.

The responsibility of the Research Assistant position includes for the following functions:
Performing and conducting scientific/engineering tests, experiments, surveys and/or programming
Data entry, observation, collection, and/or organization
Prescribed analysis and interpretation of collected data, and produces reports supporting analysis
Maintain and operate lab equipment and space in support of research/engineering projects
A small portion of the job may perform duties in the Researcher/Engineer track.
Summary: Provides limited, routine, and repetitive technical and non-technical support for a research/engineering project, team, lab, or facility requiring application of standard techniques, procedures, and criteria. Non routine decision making relies heavily on consultation with supervisor. Receives detailed instructions on all new work assignments. Works under close supervision and demonstrates independence as duties are learned. Duties are routine and structured. Follows protocols with little to no deviation. Solves repetitive problems.


Job Responsibilities

Assist researchers/engineers with routine and repetitive tests, experiments, measurements, surveys, and/or programming under close technical supervision.
Supports research/engineering function by performing basic tasks in the operation and maintenance of research/engineering instrumentation and equipment.
Cleans research/engineering equipment and instruments.
Maintains logs, records, and databases.
Assists in gathering and entering data using routine techniques and methods.
Validates data.
Observes conditions and identifies and reports concerns or changes to senior staff or faculty.
Maintains inventories and requisitions supplies for assigned areas.
Assist with research/engineering work including labeling, preliminary sorting, measuring, processing and shipping samples.
May train students on proper use of equipment and basic procedures.
May present a written report on the data collected or results of experiments, tests, surveys, programming, etc, or provide data for use in other manuscripts or reports.
May produce charts and graphs to display trends in data.
Performs routine library work, including finding literature and copying articles.
May provide administrative support for research/engineering activities such as ordering research supplies, maintaining inventory, receiving and stocking research/engineering supplies, tracking repairs, etc.
May pick up and deliver equipment and supplies and ensure proper removal of hazardous waste. Participate in research team meetings to discuss project progress and findings.
The successful applicants will have the opportunity to work under the supervision of a CET faculty member. The positions are renewable depending upon the availability of funding and other conditions. The position also carries the following responsibilities.
Prepare research proposals
Conduct research and publish
Assist in laboratory building and management
Assist in undergraduate and graduate students supervision
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
Basic knowledge to perform simple repetitive tasks related to a scientific or engineering field.
Basic knowledge of laboratory/research/engineering techniques, equipment and terminology.
Basic skills and abilities including use of simple hand tools, power tools, heavy machinery or other equipment.
Basic to intermediate math, reading and writing skills. Basic knowledge to perform simple repetitive tasks related to a scientific or engineering field. Ability to effectively communicate.

Required Qualifications

Education/Experience
Associate’s degree in a related field and one year of related experience OR combination of related experience and education may be considered.

Successful applicants will have experience or degree(s) in one of the following areas.
Advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS)
Gas and air emission monitoring
Information technology and database development
Web programming and mobile App development
Artificial Intelligence, natural language processing (NLP) and machine learning
Connected and autonomous vehicles
Disaster and natural Hazard assessment and management
Discrete element method (DEM) and finite element methods (FEM)
Thermal-Hydro-Mechanical-Chemical (THMC) multi-physics constitutive model
Geographical information system (GIS)
Global positioning system (GPS), GNSS and IMU
Image processing and computer vision
Asphalt modification, asphalt mixture and pavement performance
Geopolymer and novel construction materials (epoxy resin, graphene, nanomaterials, nanotubes, fullerene, graphene, synthetic polymeric materials)
Operations research, optimization, network programming and routing
Optical metrology for surface texturing and imaging
Remote sensing and Photogrammetry
Drones mapping
LiDAR and Optical mapping
Digital image correlation (DIC)
Synthetic aperture radar (SAR)
Vehicle and structural dynamics
Structural health monitoring (SHM)
Nondestructive testing and evaluation (NDE)
Transportation safety

Preferred Qualifications

Master’s or PhD degree
Effective writing and communication skills
Strong publication record
Ability to work independently
Ability to work with undergraduate and graduate research students
Strong background in laboratory experiment or numerical computation
Familiar with Matlab, C++, Python, Java, or other programming language, or proficient in one of the software packages: PFC, VISSIM, ABQUS, COMSOL, MOOSE, LS-DYNA, optimization, TensorFlow, SAS, R, optical modeling

Work LocationHenrietta Campus — 100%