Research Engineering Technician II

University of Louisville; Louisville (KY); On-site; USD 51,000 - 78,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking a Research Engineering Technician II to join their Civil and Environmental Engineering department. This role involves supporting vital data collection efforts for an NSF-funded initiative aimed at understanding and predicting flash floods in eastern Kentucky. The technician will engage in hands-on fieldwork, manage sensor data, and develop GIS platforms for real-time data visualization. This position offers a unique opportunity to contribute to impactful research while enjoying full university benefits and a collaborative work environment. If you're passionate about environmental science and engineering, this role is perfect for you!

Benefits

Full university benefits

Travel reimbursement for fieldwork

University vehicle for fieldwork

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering or related field required.
• Experience conducting fieldwork in remote terrain preferred.

Responsibilities

• Support data collection and QAQC for NSF CLIMBS Project 4.
• Install and maintain environmental sensors at monitoring sites.

Skills

Fieldwork

Data Management

GIS Software

Data Processing (Excel, Python, R, MATLAB)

Organizational Skills

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering

Bachelor's degree in Geoscience

Bachelor's degree in Environmental Science

Tools

ArcGIS

QGIS

SQL

PostgreSQL

Job description

Department:

Location:
Belknap Campus
Time Type:
Full time
Worker Type:
Regular
Job Req ID:
R106735
Minimum Requirements:
Bachelor's degree in Engineering or a related field and two (2) years of relevant experience or an equivalent combination of education and experience. Grade 6 (Salaried)
Position Description:

The University of Louisville is seeking an Research Engineering Technician II to support the University of Louisville's Civil and Environmental Engineering department in data collection efforts on the National Science Foundation EPSCoR Track 1: CLIMBS project (https://kynsfepscor.uky.edu/climbs/).

The University of Louisville's Civil and Environmental Engineering department is leading Project 4 of Climbs: Mitigate Flood Impacts. This NSF-funded initiative focuses on advancing understanding and prediction of flash floods in eastern Kentucky headwaters, an area particularly vulnerable to extreme precipitation and flooding.

Primary Responsibilities: The technician will support data collection, QAQC, storage, and visualization as part of NSF CLIMBS Project 4 at the University of Louisville.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Install, maintain, and collect data from streamflow, water quality, soil moisture, and weather sensors at monitoring sites in eastern KY;
• Conduct routine site visits to download data and maintain sensor networks;
• Perform QA/QC on sensor data and manage structured data storage;
• Maintain databases used for sensor data management and publication;
• Develop and maintain an online data storage and visualization server;
• Create and maintain a GIS platform for real-time data visualization;
• Assist with field and lab data collection tasks, such as soil sampling, cross-section surveys, and flow measurements; and
• Support faculty, students, and external collaborators with field and data-related project activities.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in engineering, geoscience, geography, environmental science, or a related field (or equivalent experience).
• Experience conducting fieldwork, particularly in remote or rugged terrain.
• Familiarity with environmental sensor systems, dataloggers, and telemetry.
• Proficiency in GIS software and spatial data visualization (e.g., ArcGIS, QGIS).
• Experience with data processing tools (e.g., Excel, Python, R, or MATLAB).
• Knowledge of database management (e.g., SQL, PostgreSQL) and data QA/QC processes.
• Strong organizational skills and the ability to work independently and as part of a team.

Additional Information:

• This position will be based in Louisville, KY, with frequent travel (often overnight) to sites in eastern KY.
• A university vehicle or travel reimbursement will be provided for fieldwork.
• Full university benefits are included.

Application Instructions:

Along with completing your online application, please submit the following materials to [e-mail]:

• Resume or curriculum vitae.
• Cover letter detailing your interest in and qualifications for the position.
• Contact information for two to three professional references.

Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled.

Target Compensation Maximum:
$77,600.00
Target Compensation Minimum:
$51,700.00
Compensation will be commensurate to candidate experience.

Equal Employment Opportunity

The University of Louisville is an equal opportunity, affirmative action employer, and is committed to providing employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, sex, age, color, national origin, ethnicity, creed, religion, disability, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity and expression, marital status, pregnancy, or veteran status. If you are unable to use our online application process due to an impairment or disability, please contact the Employment team at [e-mail] or 502.852.6258.

Assistance and Accommodations

Computers are available for application submission at the Human Resources Department located at 215 Central Avenue, Ste 205 - Louisville, Kentucky 40208.

If you require assistance or accommodation with our online application process, please contact us by email at [e-mail] or by phone [phone].