Research Associate - College of Engineering - Department of Mechanical Engineering

About the Role

Carnegie Mellon University’s Department of Mechanical Engineering’s EMIT Lab, led by Prof. Sneha P. Narra, is seeking a highly reliable and hands-on Research Associate to support research in metal additive manufacturing. This role focuses on Alloy 718, process modeling, and materials characterization for an ongoing NASA-funded project. The ideal candidate is a recent MS or PhD with strong technical skills, excellent execution, and interest in a future faculty or research-leadership path. This position is designed for someone who wants to deepen their expertise in metal AM while gaining experience leading technical work, coordinating research tasks, mentoring students, and contributing to follow-on funding efforts through high-quality preliminary data and technical drafts.

Responsibilities

• Lead hands-on characterization work including tomography, microscopy, metallography, and related materials analysis.
• Build on existing process and microstructure modeling efforts to connect experimental characterization results with modeling findings.
• Produce high-quality experimental results, figures, methods descriptions, and technical summaries based on specific research directions provided by the PI.
• Integrate knowledge across stages of the metal AM workflow, including processing, post-processing, characterization, and interpretation of results.
• Support ongoing collaborative project activities by providing characterization expertise, technical feedback, and data organization to ensure deliverables are completed accurately and on time.
• Learn and implement new techniques or concepts as needed to support evolving project needs.
• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• MS or recent PhD in materials science, mechanical engineering, metallurgical engineering, additive manufacturing, or a closely related field. PhD preferred.
• Prior experience with metal additive manufacturing processes and strong hands-on ability with laboratory equipment and experimental workflows.
• Experience with materials characterization techniques such as microscopy, tomography, metallography, or related methods.
• Basic experience with modeling or relevant modeling coursework.
• Strong organizational skills and ability to coordinate with students and collaborators.
• Demonstrated reliability, judgment, and ability to execute tasks.
• A combination of education and relevant experience from which comparable knowledge is demonstrated may be considered.

Successful background check required.

Benefits

• Comprehensive medical, prescription, dental, and vision insurance.
• Generous retirement savings program with employer contributions.
• Tuition benefits.
• Ample paid time off and observed holidays.
• Life and accidental death and disability insurance.
• Free Pittsburgh Regional Transit bus pass.
• Access to the Family Concierge Team to help navigate childcare needs.
• Fitness center access.

Pay

Salary basis.

Schedule

Full time.

Location: Pittsburgh, PA