Research Associate

Job Summary

Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) College of Engineering Technology (CET), Department of Civil Engineering Technology, Environmental Management, and Safety (CETEMS) is inviting applications for a Research Associate position. The start date of these positions is negotiable and can be as early as May 2026, but no later than October, 2026. The responsibility of the Research Associate position includes 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 producing reports supporting analysis, maintaining and operating lab equipment and space in support of research/engineering projects.

Job Responsibilities

• 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.
• Receives detailed instructions on all new work assignments.
• Works under close supervision and demonstrates independence as duties are learned.
• Solves repetitive problems.

Typical Functions

• Assists 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.
• Aids 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.
• Aids in 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.
• 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.

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.

Education/Experience Required

• 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)
• Geographical information system (GIS)
• Geogame and digital twin with Unity or Omniverse
• Global positioning system (GPS), GNSS and IMU
• Image processing and computer vision
• Asphalt binder modification, asphalt mixture design and pavement performance
• Asphalt pavement constitutive model and multi-physics simulation
• Geopolymer and novel construction materials
• High-speed train dynamics and simulation
• Operations research, optimization, network programming and routing
• Optical metrology for surface texturing and imaging
• Remote sensing and photogrammetry
• Drone mapping
• Surveying with total station
• LIDAR and Optical mapping
• Digital image correlation (DIC)
• 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
• Proficient in one of the software packages: PFC, VISSIM, ABQUS, COMSOL, MOOSE, LS-DYNA, optimization, TensorFlow, SAS, R, optical modeling