Research Associate, AI Bio Lab

University of Cincinnati; Cincinnati (OH); On-site; USD 75,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

University of Cincinnati seeks a Research Associate for the AI Bio Lab in the College of Engineering and Applied Science. You will coordinate projects on Explainable AI, trustworthy AI, and cybersecurity, and mentor graduate researchers within a collaborative lab.

The role includes overseeing research software, data assets, and cloud resources, supporting proposals, publications, and invention disclosures, and partnering with faculty and industry to advance impactful AI-driven solutions and new

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in CS, AE, or related field.
• At least three years of research lab experience.
• Experience with AI explainability, reliability, and safety evaluation.
• Experience mentoring graduate students.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate funded AI Bio Lab projects in Explainable AI and cybersecurity.
• Manage grant-funded lifecycles, milestones, and deliverables.
• Mentor graduate students and guide lab researchers.
• Oversee research software, datasets, and cloud resources.
• Collaborate with faculty and industry partners to expand funding.

Skills

Explainable AI

Trustworthy AI

Cybersecurity

Fuzzy logic

Machine learning

Graduate mentoring

Education

Bachelor's degree in Computer Science

Bachelor's degree in Aerospace Engineering

Job description

Next Lives at the University of Cincinnati

Founded in 1819, the University of Cincinnati ranks among the nation’s best urban public research universities. Home to more than 53,600 students, 12,000 faculty and staff, and over 360,000 living alumni, UC, a Carnegie 1 institution, combines research prowess with a physical setting The New York Times has called "the most ambitious campus design program in the country." UC's momentum has never been stronger as the anchor of the Cincinnati Innovation District, the oldest cooperative education (co-op) program in the country with students earning $94 million annually through paid experiences, an academic health system, and as a member of the Big 12 Conference. The university contributes $10.6 billion in economic impact to the city and $22.7 billion to the state of Ohio. At UC, next is all of us. Learn more at uc.edu.

UC is a mission-driven organization where we are committed to student success and positively transforming the community through scholarship and service. We thrive on innovation, making an impact, and fostering an environment where staff and faculty are key contributors to UC’s success.

Job Overview

A Research Associate Position is available in the AI Bio Lab in the College of Engineering and Applied Science at the University of Cincinnati and will report to a tenured Professor in Aerospace Engineering. The AI Bio Lab specializes in explainable and trustworthy Artificial Intelligence (AI) and human performance augmentation, with expertise in advanced mobility and personalized medicine. We address the challenges of safely integrating intelligent decision‑making systems by combining the efforts of academic researchers with agency and industry collaborators. Our lab develops a robust library of proprietary, explainable algorithms, tested and certified within a comprehensive framework based on foundational research. By attracting a diverse group of researchers from multiple disciplines, we adapt tools to critical application areas. Our external partnerships expand our expertise and provide essential use cases for necessary data.

Essential Functions

• Coordinate AI Bio Lab research on select, fully funded projects in Explainable AI, Trustworthy AI, and cybersecurity, including but not limited to Fuzzy Logic-based AI for safety critical systems.
• Manage grant-funded project lifecycles, milestones, documentation, and deliverables.
• Mentor and provide technical guidance to graduate research students in the lab.
• Oversee research software, datasets, cloud resources, and lab operations.
• Support proposals, publications, technical reports, and invention disclosures by leading student research teams in cybersecurity/Aerospace AI projects, guiding scope of projects, participating in cyber defense exercises, and working with Tech Transfer officer on invention disclosures/patents.
• Develop interpretable fuzzy logic and machine-learning models for cybersecurity.
• Evaluate AI safety, explainability, and robustness; support model deployment.
• Collaborate with faculty, students, university units, and industry partners to advance research projects and expand the funding base and transition to industry.
• Deliver significant outcomes for assigned projects and studies as an independent researcher.

Required Education

Prior to effective date of appointment, Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Aerospace Engineering or a closely related field.

Required Experience

Three (3) years research laboratory experience during or after completion of the required undergraduate degree.

Compensation And Benefits

UC offers an exceptional benefits package designed to support your well-being, financial security, and work-life balance. (UC Benefits) Eligibility may vary by position and FTE status. Highlights include:

Comprehensive Tuition Remission

UC provides tuition remission for you and your eligible dependents, covering tuition costs for nearly all undergraduate and graduate programs offered by the university.

Robust Retirement Plans

As a UC employee, you won’t contribute to Social Security (except Medicare). Instead, you’ll choose between state pension plans (OPERS, STRS) or an Alternative Retirement Plan (ARP), with UC contributing 14-18% of your salary based on position.

Real Work-Life Balance

UC prioritizes work-life balance with a generous time-off policy, including:

• Vacation and sick time
• 11 paid holidays and additional end-of-year paid time off (Winter Season Days)
• 6 weeks of paid parental leave for new parents

Additional Benefits Include

• Competitive salary based on experience
• Comprehensive health coverage (medical, dental, vision, prescription)
• Flexible spending accounts & wellness programs
• Professional development & mentorship opportunities

UC is an E-Verify employer. If hired into this position, you will be required to provide satisfactory proof of employment eligibility by providing acceptable, original forms of identification for employment verification via the Federal I-9 employment verification process.

Equal Opportunity Employer. Building a workplace where all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment, including Individuals with Disabilities and Protected Veterans.