Postdoctoral Research Associate

TAMU-CC is a dynamic university designated as both a Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI) and Minority-Serving Institution (MSI) with approximately 11,000 students from 47 states and 54 foreign nations. The University attracts highly talented faculty and staff and offers an array of undergraduate and graduate degrees, including doctoral programs. As a member of the Texas A&M University System, TAMU-CC benefits from a range of resources, increased visibility and influence, and opportunities to collaborate with peers across member institutions. The campus is located on a 240-acre island on Corpus Christi Bay, ranked #1 College by the Sea by Best College Reviews.

About the role

The Postdoctoral Research Associate conducts applied research at the Autonomy Research Institute (ARI) in support of sponsored research, autonomous technology development, and institutional research initiatives. The position develops, integrates, and evaluates innovative solutions in autonomous systems, including artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning, robotics, control systems, sensing technologies, and related disciplines.

Responsibilities

• Research (70%):
  • Conduct independent and collaborative applied research in support of research projects and institutional research priorities.
  • Develop and execute research activities, including formulation of research questions, technical approaches, and objectives.
  • Collect, analyze, interpret, and summarize research data.
  • Develop research methodologies, experimental designs, protocols, models, and analytical approaches.
  • Assist in laboratory, field, or research program operations, including equipment maintenance and resource management.
  • Document research methods, technical approaches, analyses, and results for reproducibility and technical reporting.
  • Write and contribute to research papers, articles, and publications.
  • Contribute to grant proposals, research funding applications, technical reports, and sponsor deliverables.
  • Travel may be required for some engagements.
• Research Integration and Testing (20%):
  • Integrate research methods, algorithms, software, sensing systems, and emerging technologies into laboratory, simulation, and field-based research environments.
  • Plan and execute experimental activities supporting testing, evaluation, and validation of research concepts and technologies.
  • Collaborate with ARI’s Applied Research, Engineering, and Program Integration personnel to transition research concepts into testable experimental capabilities.
  • Evaluate experimental results against defined research objectives, technical requirements, and performance measures.
  • Identify technical challenges, research gaps, and opportunities for continued development based on experimental and test results.
  • Document experimental configurations, methodologies, results, and lessons learned to support reproducibility and future research activities.
  • Support the integration of research outcomes into prototype systems, operational demonstrations, or technology transition activities.
  • Safely operate university vehicles/machinery.
• Mentoring (5%):
  • Assist, mentor, and/or supervise undergraduate student workers and graduate assistants supporting research activities.
  • Provide technical guidance, research instruction, and professional development support to student researchers.
  • Assist students in executing research activities, data collection, laboratory procedures, and documentation while promoting safe and effective research practices.
• Research Communication (5%):
  • Prepare and present research findings at professional meetings, conferences, seminars, and workshops.
  • Actively participate in the preparation of required technical progress reports and other research communications for sponsors.

Requirements

• Doctoral degree in Engineering, Computer Science, Physical Sciences, Mathematics, Robotics, or a closely related discipline.
• Maintain a valid driver license.
• Demonstrated research experience in autonomous systems, AI, machine learning, control systems, sensing systems, robotics, or a closely related field.
• Ability to conduct independent scientific research.
• Experience with research data collection, processing, analysis, and visualization.

Skills

• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Intermediate proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite.
• High level of articulation and professionalism.
• Exceptional attention to detail.
• Critical thinking and proactive problem solving.
• Ability to take initiative and identify opportunities for improvement.
• Ability to work both collaboratively and independently with minimal supervision.
• Ability to manage and prioritize tasks, resources, and time effectively.
• Knowledge of scientific research methods and experimental design.
• Ability to analyze complex technical problems.
• Ability to prepare technical reports and scholarly publications.
• Ability to communicate complex technical concepts to technical and non-technical audiences.
• Ability to work safely in laboratory and field research environments.
• Ability to communicate and collaborate effectively within multidisciplinary research teams.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience designing and executing laboratory, simulation, or field-based experiments.
• Experience developing software using Python, MATLAB, C/C++, ROS, simulation environments, or other scientific computing tools applicable to autonomous systems research.
• Record of scholarly publications, technical reports, or conference presentations.
• Experience contributing to externally funded research projects, grant proposals, or technical reports.
• Experience collaborating with multidisciplinary research, engineering, or operational teams.
• Experience mentoring undergraduate or graduate student researchers.
• Familiarity with aviation, autonomous systems, unmanned aircraft systems (UAS), advanced air mobility (AAM), or related technology sectors.

Pay

Up to $4,500.00 monthly ($54,000.00 annual, approximately).

Benefits

• Insurance:
  • Medical: $0 - $30 per month for Employee Only coverage after university contribution ($920 value). Up to 83% of premium covered by the university for Employee and Spouse, Employee and Children, or Employee and Family coverage.
  • Dental & Vision.
  • Life Insurance, Accidental Death & Dismemberment (D&D), Long Term Disability.
  • Flexible Spending Account and Day Care Spending Account.
• Dual Career Partner Program.
• On-Campus Wellness Opportunities.
• Work Life Solutions: Counseling, Work Life Assistance, Financial Resources, and Legal Resources.
• Tuition Benefits:
  • Public Loan Forgiveness.
  • Book scholarships.
  • 100% tuition coverage for up to 18 credit hours per fiscal year (other rules may apply).
• Retirement:
  • Teacher Retirement System of Texas (TRS) or Optional Retirement Plan (ORP).
  • Voluntary Tax Deferred Account/Deferred Compensation Plan.
• Time Off:
  • 8+ hours of vacation paid time off every month.
  • 8 hours of sick leave time off every month.
  • 8 hours of paid time off for Birthday leave.
  • 12-15 paid holidays each year.