Hardware Research Engineer (Optomechanical Systems)
Rice University’s Kortum Lab in the Department of Bioengineering is seeking a Hardware Research Engineer (Optomechanical Systems) to support translational clinical research involving optical microscopy for evaluation of margin status during cancer surgery.
About the role
This position will contribute to next-generation optomechanical design and development of array microscopes and sample preparation systems, with an emphasis on system optimization, clinical validation, cost-efficient components, imaging performance, and preparation for eventual commercialization.
This is an exempt, salaried, term-limited, one-year position funded by grant, soft, and/or restricted funds. Continued employment is contingent on the renewal of funding. The role is exclusively on-site, with duties performed in person on the Rice University campus during the department’s regular business hours. Occasional schedule adjustments may be required to support clinical studies or research activities.
Responsibilities
- Participates in the planning, design, and execution of research projects under the guidance of senior researchers or project leads
- Conducts experiments, collects and analyzes data, and assists in interpreting results
- Collaborates with multidisciplinary teams and contributes ideas and insights to ongoing research
- Maintains accurate records of experiments, results, and methodologies
- Contributes to reports, technical documents, and presentations describing research findings
- Stays current on relevant industry trends, advances, and emerging technologies
- Adheres to safety protocols and regulatory standards during experiments and research activities
- Participates in specialized research and development of array microscope technologies
- Develops hardware for array microscopes and sample preparation systems supporting clinical studies, with attention to cost-efficiency and clinical reliability
- Prepares instrumentation for clinical studies
- Participates in data analysis, system evaluation, and optomechanical hardware optimization
- Communicates results through verbal presentations and written reports
- Interacts appropriately with clinical personnel and study subjects
- Performs all other duties as assigned
Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree in bioengineering, biomedical engineering, electrical engineering, computer science, mechanical engineering, physics, or a related field
- Two or more (2+) years of related experience
- Additional related education, above and beyond the required degree, may substitute for the experience requirement on an equivalent year-for-year basis
Skills
- Listening, verbal and written communication, analytical, and research skills
- Good scientific and numerical skills with meticulous attention to detail and accuracy
- Ability to work in a team environment, participate actively, collaborate, and motivate others in the lab
- Critical thinking, technical, and data collection skills
- Statistical and graphical analysis skills
- Ability to maintain quality, safety, and infection control standards in accordance with approved clinical research protocols
- Ability to plan and schedule effectively
- Ability to interact appropriately with clinical personnel and study subjects
Preferences
- Master’s degree
- Three or more years of experience with optical microscopy, optomechanical hardware, instrumentation control, and/or translational clinical studies
- Experience with rapid prototyping or hardware cost-reduction strategies
- Experience with precision motorized translation stages, embedded electronic components such as FPGAs or microcontrollers
Pay
$63,731 - $80,400 annually
About the department
The George R. Brown School of Engineering and Computing ranks among the top 20 undergraduate engineering programs (US News & World Report) and is strongly committed to nurturing the aspirations of faculty, staff, and students in an inclusive environment. We seek greater representation of women, minorities, people with disabilities, and veterans in disciplines in which they have historically been underrepresented; to attract international students from a wider range of countries and backgrounds; to accelerate progress in building a faculty and staff who are diverse in background and thought, and we support an inclusive environment that fosters innovation and collaboration.