Research Associate

Weston&Sampson, Inc.; Kalamazoo (MI); On-site; USD 57,000 - 60,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Tuition discount for employee

Tuition remission for dependents

Job summary

Western Michigan University in Kalamazoo seeks a researcher to contribute to power electronics, electric drives, and controls for transportation electrification. You will work on project plans, data collection, and analyses, and publish findings with sponsors.

The position is terminal, funded through a grant, with a salary range of $57,178 – $60,000 and comprehensive benefits. Renewal potential exists through June 2028.

Qualifications

• Doctoral or terminal degree in electrical engineering with a power electronics emphasis or ABD (graduation by 2026-10-15).
• Knowledge of the research process, data collection, and analytic methods.
• Clinical, laboratory, training or field skills appropriate to the grant or contract.
• Ability to conduct research independently or in a team.
• Experience in power electronic system design, development, fabrication, integration and control.
• Electromechanical energy conversion system control experience.

Responsibilities

• Implements research projects as specified in the project plan.
• Collects data in accordance with ethical and technical principles.
• Applies quantitative, statistical, and/or qualitative methods for data analysis.
• Writes peer reviewed papers and manuscripts for journals or sponsor reports and presents at conferences.
• Writes grant proposals and handles project administration.
• Collaborates with researchers and stakeholders on the project.
• May contribute to external funding as a co-principal investigator.
• May present at professional conferences and meetings.
• May lead discrete components of a larger project.
• Leads system design, optimization, and integration under PI supervision.

Skills

Interpersonal communication

Data analysis methods

Independent/team research

Electromechanical system control

Power electronics research

Office software proficiency

Clinical/lab/field skills

Education

Doctoral or terminal degree in Electrical Engineering (power electronics)

Tools

PSPICE

MATLAB/Simulink

PSCAD

PLECS

Job description

Posting Summary

College

Executive Area

Executive Area Provost & VP Academic Affairs

Department

Department Electrical & Computer Engr

Posting Number

Posting Number S1701P

Job Type

Job Type Full Time, Regular

Pay Type

Pay Grade

Pay Grade R4E

Campus Location

Campus Location WMU-Kalamazoo - Main Campus

Salary Range

Salary Range Pay is commensurate with qualifications and experience, combined with an excellent benefits package.

Number of Vacancies

Number of Vacancies 1

General Summary

Contributes to and conducts research or scholarship on assigned projects in the field of power electronics, electric drives, and controls for transportation electrification applications.

Major Duties

• Implements research projects as specified in the project plan.
• Collects data in accordance with ethical and technical principles.
• Applies appropriate quantitative, statistical, and/or qualitative methods for analysis and interpretation of data.
• Writes peer reviewed papers and manuscripts for submission to professional and/or scientific journals or reports to the sponsoring agency and presents them at meetings and conferences.
• Writes research grant proposals and completes project administration.
• Collaborates with researchers, scholars and other stakeholders as relevant to the project.
• May contribute to applications for external funding as a co-principal investigator.
• May present at professional conferences and meetings in the relevant field.
• May have lead responsibility for discrete components of a larger project under the general direction of a senior or principal investigator.
• Leads the system design, optimization, and integration activities of the project under the supervision of the principal investigator.

Minimum Qualifications

• Doctoral or terminal degree in electrical engineering with a power electronics emphasis from an accredited institution or ABD with a graduation date of October 15, 2026.
• Knowledge of the research or scholarship process, data collection, analytical and statistical methods.
• Clinical, laboratory, training or field skills appropriate to the grant or contract.
• Demonstrated ability to conduct research or scholarship independently or in a team.
• Research experience in power electronic system design, development, fabrication, integration and control.
• Electromechanical energy conversion system control experience.
• Strong interpersonal, written and verbal communication skills.
• Proficient office software skills, including word-processing, spreadsheets, and presentations.

Desired Qualifications

• Research experience in power electronic system design, development, fabrication, integration and control.
• Ability to simulate power electronic systems using PSpice, MATLAB Simulink, PSCAD and/or PLECS .
• Ability to independently develop code on embedded platforms for power electronic systems.
• Hands-on experience with wide band-gap devices and/or high frequency magnetics.

Additional Position Information

• This is a terminal position that will end June 30 2027 with the possibility to renew until June 24, 2028.
• Grant funded position with a salary range of $57,178 – $60,000.
• Western Michigan University offers generous benefits to its employees including health, dental, vision, life and disability insurance, retirement, and tuition discount for the employee and tuition remission for eligible dependents. To access information about the specific benefits available for this position, go to:https://wmich.edu/hr/benefits-research

Physical requirements and working conditions

• Office or other indoor work with minimal physical demands such as occasionally lifting/moving materials less than 25 pounds.
• Work is generally performed in a well lit, temperature-controlled indoor environment with occasional exposure to the outdoors and/or any number of elements.
• Works with high voltage systems in confined spaces such as electric vehicle chassis.
• Works in dynamometers that generate noise during testing.
• Works with test vehicles.

Supplemental Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).

• * Do you have a doctoral or terminal degree in electrical engineering with a power electronics emphasis from an accredited institution or ABD with a graduation date of October 15, 2026?
  • Yes.
  • No.
• * Do you have relevant electrical engineering experience?
  • Yes.
  • No.
• * Do you have knowledge of the research or scholarship process, data collection, analytical and statistical methods?
  • Yes
  • No
• * Do you have clinical, laboratory, training or field skills appropriate to the grant or contract?
  • Yes.
  • No.
• * Have you demonstrated ability to conduct research or scholarship independently or in a team?
  • Yes
  • No.
• * Do you have strong interpersonal, written and verbal communications skills?
  • Yes
  • No.
• * Do you have proficient office software skills, including word-processing, spreadsheets, and presentations?
  • Yes
  • No.
• * Do you have research experience in power electronic system design, development, fabrication, integration and control?
  • Yes.
  • No.
• * Do you have electromechanical energy conversion system control experience?
  • Yes.
  • No.
• * Do you have nonlinear control system experience?
  • Yes.
  • No.
• * Do you have grid connected energy conversion system experience?
  • Yes.
  • No.
• * Do you have research experience in power electronic system design, development, fabrication, integration and control?
  • Yes.
  • No.
• * Do you have the ability to simulate power electronic systems using PSpice, MATLAB Simulink, PSCAD and/or PLECS?
  • Yes.
  • No.
• * Do you have the ability to independently develop code on embedded platforms for power electronic systems?
  • Yes.
  • No.
• * Do you have hands-on experience with wide band-gap devices and/or high frequency magnetics?
  • Yes.
  • No.

WMU is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. Protected veterans, individuals with disabilities and all other qualified individuals are encouraged to apply.