Hardware Research Engineer (Optomechanical Systems)

Position Summary

The Kortum Lab in Rice Universitys Department of Bioengineering seeks a Hardware Research Engineer (Optomechanical Systems) to support translational clinical research involving optical microscopy for evaluation of margin status during cancer surgery. The position will contribute to next-generation optomechanical design and development of array microscopes and sample preparation systems with an emphasis on system optimization clinical validation cost-efficient components imaging performance and preparation for eventual commercialization.

Special Instructions to Applicants All interested applicants should attach a cover letter and curriculum vitae or resume in the Supporting Documents section of the application preferably in PDF format.

Ideal Candidate Statement

The ideal candidate has experience in optical microscopy including optomechanical hardware and/or instrumentation control and/or translational clinical studies. Experience with precision motorized translation stages embedded electronic components such as FPGAs or microcontrollers rapid prototyping or hardware cost-reduction strategies is highly desirable.

Workplace Requirements

This position is exclusively on-site with duties performed in person on the Rice University campus during the departments regular business hours. Occasional schedule adjustments may be required to support clinical studies or research activities. Per Rice Policy 440 work arrangements may be subject to change.

Hiring Range: $63731 - $80400 annually.

This is an exempt salaried position and is not eligible for overtime.

This is a term limited one-year position funded by grant soft and/or restricted funds. Continued employment is contingent on the renewal of funding.

Minimum Requirements

Bachelors degree in bioengineering biomedical engineering electrical engineering computer science mechanical engineering physics or a related field

Two or more (2) years of related experience

Additional related education above and beyond the required degree may substitute for the experience requirement on an equivalent year-for-year basis.

Skills

Listening verbal and written communication analytical and research skills

Good scientific and numerical skills with meticulous attention to detail and accuracy

Ability to work in a team environment participate actively collaborate and motivate others in the lab

Critical thinking technical and data collection skills

Statistical and graphical analysis skills

Ability to maintain quality safety and infection control standards in accordance with approved clinical research protocols

Ability to plan and schedule effectively

Ability to interact appropriately with clinical personnel and study subjects

Preferences

Masters degree

Three or more years of experience with optical microscopy optomechanical hardware instrumentation control and/or translational clinical studies

Experience with rapid prototyping or hardware cost-reduction strategies

Essential Functions

• Participates in the planning design and execution of research projects under the guidance of senior researchers or project leads

• Conducts experiments collects and analyzes data and assists in interpreting results

• Collaborates with multidisciplinary teams and contributes ideas and insights to ongoing research

• Maintains accurate records of experiments results and methodologies

• Contributes to reports technical documents and presentations describing research findings

• Stays current on relevant industry trends advances and emerging technologies

• Adheres to safety protocols and regulatory standards during experiments and research activities

• Participates in specialized research and development of array microscope technologies

• Develops hardware for array microscopes and sample preparation systems supporting clinical studies with attention to cost-efficiency and clinical reliability

• Prepares instrumentation for clinical studies

• Participates in data analysis system evaluation and optomechanical hardware optimization

• Communicates results through verbal presentations and written reports

• Interacts appropriately with clinical personnel and study subjects

• Performs all other duties as assigned.

About George R. Brown School of Engineering and Computing:

The George R. Brown School of Engineering and Computing ranks among the top 20 undergraduate engineering programs (US News & World Report) and is strongly committed to nurturing the aspirations of faculty staff and students in an inclusive environment. We seek greater representation of women minorities people with disabilities and veterans in disciplines in which they have historically been underrepresented; to attract international students from a wider range of countries and backgrounds; to accelerate progress in building a faculty and staff who are diverse in background and thought and we support an inclusive environment that fosters

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Rice University is committed to ensuring Equal Employment Opportunity and welcoming the fullness of diversity into our candidate pools. Rice considers qualified applicants for employment without regard to race color religion age sex sexual orientation gender identity national or ethnic origin genetic information disability or protected veteran status. Rice also provides reasonable accommodations to qualified persons with disabilities. If an applicant requires a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process please get in touch with Rice Universitys Human Resources Office via email at for support.

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