Summer Researcher

New Jersey Institute of Technology; United States; On-site; USD 41,000 - 58,000; Part time

Job summary

The New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT) PRANA Lab is seeking a hands-on Summer Researcher to advance electrochemical gas sensing technology for environmental monitoring and detection of VOCs. The role focuses on microfluidic sensor design, electrode optimization, and portable integration in a focused 10-week term.

You will work with graduate and undergraduate students, apply impedance spectroscopy and ML-driven data analysis, and contribute to ESSENCE-Air platform development, reporting

Qualifications

• PhD-level candidate with hands-on electrochemical sensing experience.
• Experience designing and fabricating microfluidic devices.
• Excellent written and verbal English communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Design, fabricate, and characterize electrochemical microfluidic gas sensing cells.
• Develop electrode materials (ITO, carbon-based) to improve sensor performance.
• Integrate porous membrane transducer architectures into portable sensing modules.

Skills

Electrochemical sensing

Impedance spectroscopy

Cyclic voltammetry

Amperometry

Microfluidic fabrication

Independent work

English communication

Education

Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering / Materials Science / Electrical Engineering / Chemistry

Tools

Python

scikit-learn

TensorFlow

Job description

Title:

Summer Researcher

Department:

Associate Professor

Reports To:

Associate Professor

Position Summary:

The PRANA Lab at NJIT develops programmable, responsive, and adaptive microfluidic biosensing platforms for applications spanning point-of-care diagnostics, environmental monitoring, and defense. Our flagship systems—including the ESSENCE (Electrochemical Sensing System with Ionic-liquid-based Nanoporous Configurations for Environments) platform and the Porous Membrane Transducer (PMT)—leverage impedance spectroscopy, ionic liquid interfaces, and AI/ML-driven signal processing to enable multiplexed, real-time detection of chemical and biological analytes. We seek a hands-on Summer Researcher to contribute to advancing electrochemical gas sensing technology over a focused 10-week term, supporting innovative research in environmental monitoring and chemical detection.

Essential Functions:

• Design, fabricate, and characterize electrochemical microfluidic gas sensing cells incorporating ionic liquid electrolytes.
• Develop and optimize electrode materials, including indium tin oxide (ITO) and carbon-based electrodes, to enhance sensor sensitivity and selectivity.
• Integrate porous membrane transducer architectures into portable, field-deployable sensing modules.
• Conduct impedance spectroscopy and amperometric measurements for volatile organic compound (VOC) detection and quantification.
• Implement and refine machine learning models, including neural networks and random forests, for multi-analyte classification and concentration prediction.
• Develop signal drift correction protocols to improve long-term sensor stability under real-world operating conditions.
• Integrate sensor data acquisition with embedded computing platforms to support autonomous, portable operation.
• Design and execute experiments to evaluate sensor performance against established reference methods.
• Document experimental procedures and results, prepare technical reports, and contribute to presentations.
• Provide technical data and analytical results to support ongoing development of the ESSENCE-Air platform.
• Collaborate with graduate and undergraduate students within the PRANA Lab.

Prerequisite Qualifications:

• Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering, Materials Science, Electrical Engineering, Chemistry, or a related field.
• Demonstrated hands‑on experience with electrochemical sensing techniques, including impedance spectroscopy, cyclic voltammetry, and amperometry.
• Experience designing and fabricating microfluidic devices.
• Ability to work independently, troubleshoot technical challenges, and deliver results within established project timelines.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience with ionic liquid-based electrolyte systems for gas sensing applications.
• Familiarity with AI/ML frameworks such as Python, scikit‑learn, TensorFlow, or equivalent tools applied to chemical sensor data.
• Experience developing portable or field‑deployable analytical instrumentation.
• Experience with impedance data analysis and equivalent circuit modeling.
• Background in point‑of‑care diagnostics or environmental sensing applications.
  

Compensation:

$35.71/hour

Range:

Hourly Employees

FLSA:

Non-Exempt

Time Type:

Part time

Pay Rate:

Hourly

Additional Information:

As an EEO employer NJIT is committed to building a diverse and inclusive teaching, research, and working environment and strongly encourages applications from individuals with disabilities, minorities, veterans, and women.

Employment at NJIT is subject to the provisions of New Jersey First Act which mandates new employees, who are not NJ residents, to establish primary residence in New Jersey within one year of their appointment to certain positions. The law does not apply to any individual employed at NJIT on a temporary or per semester basis as a visiting or adjunct professor, teacher, lecturer, researcher or administrator. For more information on the act

Information regarding NJIT campus security, personal safety, and fire safety including topics such as, disciplinary procedures, crime prevention, NJIT Police law enforcement authority, crime reporting policies, and crime statistics for the most recent three year period is available on the NJIT Department of Public Safety here.

NJIT is an E-Verify employer and uses E-Verify to confirm work authorization of each new hire.