Senior Research Engineer, Center for Energy and Environmental Resources in Cockrell School of Engineering

The University of Texas at Austin; Austin (TX); On-site; USD 144,000 - 176,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive health benefits

Retirement plan and savings options

Tuition assistance

Paid vacation and holidays

Professional development opportunities

Job summary

The University of Texas at Austin is seeking a Senior Research Engineer for the Center for Energy and Environmental Resources at the Pickle Research Campus. The role leads a funded research program focused on laboratory and pilot scale separations, including distillation and extraction, with emphasis on safety and data-driven results.

Responsibilities include supervising staff, coordinating equipment upgrades, developing funding proposals, and mentoring graduate researchers.

Qualifications

• MSc degree in chemical engineering or related field.
• Minimum of seven (7) years of professional experience.
• Ph.D. in chemical engineering or related field preferred; strong publication record.

Responsibilities

• Supervise technical staff of the pilot plant and coordinate operations.
• Develop proposals to obtain industrial and government funding for separations research.
• Develop and implement research plans for the pilot plant and ensure safe operations.
• Upgrade PSTC facilities: specify equipment, drawings, procurement, and coordination with contractors.
• Analyze data and prepare reports; support graduate and undergraduate researchers; publish results.

Skills

Lab management

Proposal development

Experimental design

Education

MSc in chemical engineering or related field

PhD in chemical engineering (preferred)

Tools

Pilot plant equipment

Job description

Job Posting Title

Senior Research Engineer, Center for Energy and Environmental Resources in Cockrell School of Engineering

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Hiring Department

Cockrell School of Engineering

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Position Open To

All Applicants

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Weekly Scheduled Hours

40

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FLSA Status

Exempt from FLSA

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Earliest Start Date

Immediately

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Position Duration

Expected to Continue

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Location

PICKLE RESEARCH CAMPUS

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Job Details

General Notes

As a top-10 engineering school with the No. 1 program in Texas, the Cockrell School of Engineering at The University of Texas at Austin (UT Austin) has been a global leader in technology innovation and engineering education for over a century. With 11 undergraduate and 13 graduate programs, over 20 research centers and a faculty community that boasts one of the highest number of National Academy of Engineering members among U.S. universities, Texas Engineering has launched some of the nation's most accomplished leaders and pioneered world-changing solutions in virtually every industry, from space exploration to energy to health care. Situated in the heart of Austin - named "America's Coolest City" by Expedia and "The Best Place to Live in the U.S." by U.S. News and World Report - the Cockrell School embodies the city's innovative spirit. Major companies with Austin campuses, such as Dell, National Instruments, Apple, IBM, Samsung, Google and many others, continue to recruit Cockrell School students at a remarkable rate, launching thousands of successful careers and developing Texas Engineers into industry leaders.

UT Austin, recognized by Forbes as one of America's Best Large Employers, provides outstanding employee benefits and total rewards packages that include:

• Competitive health benefits (employee premiums covered at 100%, family premiums at 50%)
• Voluntary Vision, Dental, Life, and Disability insurance options
• Generous paid vacation, sick time, and holidays
• Teachers Retirement System of Texas, a defined benefit retirement plan, with 7.75% employer matching funds
• Additional Voluntary Retirement Programs: Tax Sheltered Annuity 403(b) and a Deferred Compensation program 457(b)
• Flexible spending account options for medical and childcare expenses
• Robust free training access through LinkedIn Learning plus professional conference opportunities
• Tuition assistance
• Expansive employee discount program including athletic tickets
• Free access to UT Austin's libraries and museums with staff ID card
• Free rides on all UT Shuttle and Austin CapMetro buses with staff ID card

ORU General Notes

The Center for Energy and Environmental Resources (CEER) serves as the central liaison for energy and environmental research, education, and public service at the University of Texas at Austin. It focuses on efficient and economical use of energy and on ensuring a cleaner environment by developing, in cooperation with industry, processes and technologies that minimize waste and conserve natural resources. CEER research projects are funded from a variety of state, federal, and private sources, including the Texas Advanced Research and Technology Programs, National Science Foundation, US Department of Energy, US Environmental Protection Agency, Texas Governor's Energy Office, several national associations, and more than 40 private and public corporations.

Established in 1974, CEER is located in the Electromechanics and Energy Building at the J. J. Pickle Research Campus, where it occupies over 43,000 square feet of labs & office space. Over its history, CEER has worked with 25 departments and 10 colleges of the university, collaborating on research projects, supporting graduate students, and stimulating education activities related to energy. CEER is an organized research unit that reports through UT's Cockrell School of Engineering.

Position Purpose

The Senior Research Engineer manages an industry-funded research program involving lab and pilot scale separations equipment. The incumbent will conduct research which benefits and enhances the UT Process Science and Technology Center (PSTC), provide service to the separation technology community which reflects positively on the PSTC and the University. The incumbent will also coordinate activities of Technical Staff to maintain high level of operating efficiency.

Responsibilities

• Supervise technical staff of the pilot plant, including one process engineer, one instrumentation technician, and one mechanical technician
• Develop original proposals to utilize the pilot plant to conduct research on industrial separations including distillation, liquid/liquid extraction, and absorption. Solicit and obtain industrial and government funding for these proposals.
• Develop and Implement research plans on pilot plant. Participate and ensure experimental operations are conducted in a safe manner.
• The PSTC is upgrading their experimental facilities which includes replacing existing equipment with upgraded equipment. Responsibilities will include specifying new equipment, preparing drawings, identifying equipment suppliers and fabricators and procurement of equipment. The incumbent will also be responsible for coordination and scheduling with outside contractors.
• Keep up to date with the latest pilot plant instrumentation and process control technologies. Implement and assist in utilizing the latest technologies to improve plant safety and monitoring. Keep up to date on the latest extraction, distillation and carbon dioxide absorption/stripping technologies.
• Analyze data and prepare reports on research projects
• Prepare proposals, secure funding and equipment donations to enhance pilot plant capabilities.
• Provide support for and supervision of graduate and undergraduate student researchers participating in the PSTC activities.
• Prepare and submit publications to scientific and trade journals, provide technical presentations at conferences
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications

• MSc degree in chemical engineering or related field.
• Minimum of seven (7) years of professional experience
• Experience in lab or pilot scale distillation, and/or other separation processes
• Experience working in a dynamic environment with changing priorities
• Experience interacting with federal and industry project sponsors and stakeholders, and/or other customers
• Experience securing support and funding for research projects

Relevant education and experience may be substituted as appropriate.

Preferred Qualifications

• Ph.D. degree in chemical engineering or related field, with a commensurate publication record
• More than seven (7) years of professional experience
• Strong distillation background with some experience in dividing wall distillation, absorption and stripping, liquid extraction, heat transfer, mass transfer, and process equipment design.

Salary Range

• $160,000 + depending on qualifications

Working Conditions

• Will work around standard office conditions
• Uniforms and/or personal protection equipment including respirators (furnished)
• Able to work at elevated heights (50 ft)
• May work in all weather conditions including extreme temperatures
• May work around chemicals including chemical fumes
• May work around electrical and mechanical hazards

Physical Tasks

• Repetitive use of a keyboard at a workstation
• Use of manual dexterity
• Climbing of stairs and ladders
• Lifting and moving weights up to 50lbs

Work Shift

• Standard work schedule is Monday - Thursday, 7:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. Friday 7:30-11:30
• Work outside of normal business hours, to include evenings and weekends, may be required on a periodic basis.

Required Materials

• Resume/CV
• Letter of interest
• 3 work references with their contact information; at least one reference should be from a supervisor

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Employment Eligibility:

Regular staff who have been employed in their current position for the last six continuous months are eligible for openings being recruited for through University-Wide or Open Recruiting, to include both promotional opportunities and lateral transfers. Staff who are promotion/transfer eligible may apply for positions without supervisor approval.

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Retirement Plan Eligibility:

The retirement plan for this position is Teacher Retirement System of Texas (TRS), subject to the position being at least 20 hours per week and at least 135 days in length. This position has the option to elect the Optional Retirement Program (ORP) instead of TRS, subject to the position being 40 hours per week and at least 135 days in length.

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Background Checks:

A criminal history background check will be required for finalist(s) under consideration for this position.

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Equal Opportunity Employer:

The University of Texas at Austin, as an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer,complies with all applicable federal and state laws regarding nondiscrimination and affirmative action. The University is committed to a policy of equal opportunity for all persons and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, marital status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, disability, religion, or veteran status in employment, educational programs and activities, and admissions.

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Pay Transparency:

The University of Texas at Austin will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor's legal duty to furnish information.

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Employment Eligibility Verification:

If hired, you will be required to complete the federal Employment Eligibility Verification I-9 form. You will be required to present acceptable and original documents to prove your identity and authorization to work in the United States. Documents need to be presented no later than the third day of employment. Failure to do so will result in loss of employment at the university.

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E-Verify:

The University of Texas at Austin use E-Verify to check the work authorization of all new hires effective May 2015. The university's company ID number for purposes of E-Verify is 854197. For more information about E-Verify, please see the following:

• E-Verify Poster (English and Spanish) [PDF]
• Right to Work Poster (English) [PDF]
• Right to Work Poster (Spanish) [PDF]

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Compliance:

Employees may be required to report violations of law under Title IX and the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Crime Statistics Act (Clery Act). If this position is identified a Campus Security Authority (Clery Act), you will be notified and provided resources for reporting. Responsible employees under Title IX are defined and outlined in HOP-3031.

The Clery Act requires all prospective employees be notified of the availability of the Annual Security and Fire Safety report. You may access the most recent report here or obtain a copy at University Compliance Services, 1616 Guadalupe Street, UTA 2.206, Austin, Texas 78701.