College of Engineering Technology, Research Associate

Rochester Institute of Technology; New York (NY); Remote; USD 25,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) invites applications for a DOL grant funded Research Associate position. The role is 12 months, potentially renewable, with duties spanning experimental setup, data analysis, and reporting.

Work location includes Bethesda, MD, with remote flexibility for certain tasks. The successful candidate will bring strong computational and lab competencies, including Matlab, C++, Python, and related tools.

Qualifications

• Associate's degree in a related field required; 1 year of relevant experience or equivalent combination.
• Strong writing and communication skills with ability to publish results.
• Ability to work independently and mentor undergraduates/ graduates.
• Familiar with Matlab, C++, Python, Java or other programming languages; proficient in core research software.

Responsibilities

• Assist with setup and execution of experiments and lab analyses under senior researchers guidance.
• Collect, analyze, and interpret data; provide preliminary findings to support ongoing projects.
• Prepare and contribute to research reports, presentations, and publications.
• Maintain laboratory equipment; ensure calibration and safe operation; enforce safety protocols.
• Perform administrative tasks related to scheduling, inventory, and record-keeping.

Skills

Data analysis

Programming (Python/C++)

High-performance computing

Lab experimentation

Numerical computation

Machine learning / AI

Education

Associate's degree in related field

Tools

Matlab

C++

Python

Java

MOOSE

ABAQUS

COMSOL

LS-DYNA

TensorFlow

R

SAS

Excel

Job description

Position Highlights

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 DOL grant funded Research Associate position. The start date of these positions is negotiable and can be as early as March 1, 2027, but no later than September 1, 2027. The position is grant funded and temporary. The initial appointment of the position is for 12 months and renewable depending upon funding availability and performance. The work location of this position is in Bethesda Maryland.

Key responsibilities include:

• Neuroscience with EEG
• Data Science and Artificial Intelligence
• Multi-physics and multi-scale simulation using high performance computing
• Finite element analysis using MOOSE and ABAQUS
• Constitutive models of asphalt binder and mixture, balanced mix design and pavement engineering
• Drone surveying using LiDAR and photogrammetry
• SLAM, autonomous driving and mobile robotics
• Remote sensing, image/video processing and computer vision
• Object detection, tracking and classification using deep learning
• Monitoring of transportation and energy infrastructure
• Transportation safety and traffic safety
• Vehicle dynamics simulation and traffic simulation using VISSIM
• Gamification using Unreal and Omniverse for Smart Cities and Crowd Digital Twin

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

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

Assists with the setup and execution of experiments and laboratory analyses under the guidance of senior researchers Collects, analyzes, and assists in interpreting data, providing preliminary findings to support ongoing research projects Participates in the preparation and development of research reports, presentations, and publications to disseminate experimental results and findings Maintains laboratory equipment and instruments, ensuring they are calibrated, functional, and ready for experiments Enforces safety protocols and compliance standards in the laboratory to ensure a safe work environment and the proper handling, storage, and disposal of materials and chemicals Performs administrative tasks related to laboratory scheduling, resource allocation, inventory control, and detailed record-keeping of research activities Other duties as assigned

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities

Knowledge of principles and practices of relevant field of research Knowledge of the standards, regulations, and protocols related to the proper handling, storage, and disposal of laboratory materials, chemicals, and waste Skill in Microsoft Office Suite and applicable research software Skill in time management, organization, and multi-tasking in high volume environments Skill in maintaining detailed records of research activities, ensuring documentation is thorough and easily accessible Ability to set up, calibrate, trouble shoot, or instruct the use of laboratory equipment and instruments

Minimum Education & Experience

Associate's degree in related field 1 year of relevant experience Equivalent combination of experience and education may be considered

Job Level Overview

Operations, Administrative, Service, or Technical Support Level 1 - An entry-level role building knowledge and skills. Performs routine, well-defined, easy-to-understand tasks that can typically be learned in a short period of time. Work is performed under close supervision using clearly prescribed methods and detailed instructions.

FLSA Category

Non-Exempt

Work Location Remote

Compensation $17.90 - $28.60 Hourly

Additional Details

In compliance with NYS's Pay Transparency Act, the salary range for this position is listed above. Rochester Institute of Technology considers factors such as (but not limited to) scope and responsibilities of the position, candidate's work experience, education/training, key skills, internal peer equity, as well as, market and organizational considerations when extending an offer. The hiring process for this position may require a criminal background check and/or motor vehicle records check. Any verbal or written offer made is contingent on satisfactory results, as determined by Human Resources. RIT provides equal opportunity to all qualified individuals and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, age, marital status, sex, gender, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, veteran status or disability in its hiring, admissions, educational programs and activities. RIT provides reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities under the Rehabilitation Act, the Americans with Disabilities Act, the New York Human Rights Law, or similar applicable law. If you need reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process, please contact the Human Resources office at 585-475-2424 or email your request to [e-mail]. Determinations on requests for reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis.

Eligibility

Candidates must be eligible to work in the United States.

About the Institution

Founded in 1829, Rochester Institute of Technology has a long-standing history of innovation that blends the arts, technology, and experiential learning. In addition to its main campus in Rochester, New York, RIT maintains a strong international presence with over 100 active global partnerships and international campuses in Croatia, Dubai, and Kosovo. As of Fall 2024, total student enrollment across all campuses exceeded 21,000. Nationally recognized for its co-op and internship programs, RIT is supported by more than 4,000 dedicated faculty and staff members committed to student success. Its 1,300-acre suburban campus features cutting-edge facilities that reflect RIT’s strengths in applied research, design, and workforce development.