Undergraduate Researcher; Student wage

Overview

The Center for Emerging Technology Identification for Roadway Infrastructure Construction & Maintenance has developed a radar and rubric to evaluate emerging technologies for VTRC scientists to pilot and research. This rubric has undergone several iterations through discussions with faculty and LLM-driven processes. The current radar uses a retrieval augmented generation (RAG) concept where the LLM compiles 30 URLs for each technology and uses them to rate the technology against the rubric, placing the technology on the radar.

Approximately 90 technologies have been rated; these were identified from a VTRC Report on Emerging Technologies (2004) and related Center research. The Center seeks undergraduate researchers to conduct literature reviews, verify LLM outputs, and build a more extensive technology database under postdoctoral supervision.

• Verify the URLs provided by the LLM. For URLs to be considered sufficient, they must provide information on technology performance, cost, and allow comparison with conventional practice, and come from credible sources (e.g., .gov, .edu, or official vendor sites).
• If URLs are insufficient, perform additional literature search using academic papers or industry vendor websites offering the technology.
• Generate a one-page summary based on the literature review, defining the technology and providing context for rubric ratings, with references.
• Provide a rating of technologies based on the literature review. Ratings should be justifiable from the summary; if based on judgment due to information gaps, provide justification. Include justification for any rubric rows omitted from scoring.
• Provide a confidence flag for each technology (high/medium/low). If confidence is medium or low, postdoctoral researchers will conduct an additional literature review before finalizing scores.
• One postdoctoral researcher will sign off on each technology before the score is entered into the radar. If there is disagreement, the researchers will discuss to determine whether additional information should be added to the summary.
• Deliverables per technology: a one-page PDF summary and a rubric sheet highlighting chosen scores and justification. A provided template should be used for consistency. Files stored in a folder named after each technology.

• Undergraduate student (current UVA undergraduate preferred); resume required; no other specific experience required.
• Experience:
  
  None required; however, candidates with engineering backgrounds or adjacent fields are preferred.
• Ability to synthesize information, work under supervision, and follow protocols, while recording and organizing research results.

Undergraduate student wage position for less than 20 hours per week. Compensation: $16.50/hr.

This position may require the ability to sit, stand, walk, bend, stoop, squat, climb stairs, perform fine finger manipulation, and conduct or observe research activities.

Under the direct supervision of a faculty member or research supervisor, the incumbent conducts research, follows protocols, records results, and documents data using various methods. Must follow oral and written instructions and work effectively both independently and in a team.

The University of Virginia is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified individuals are encouraged to apply, including veterans and individuals with disabilities. Learn more about UVA’s commitment to non-discrimination and equal opportunity employment.

In 1819, Thomas Jefferson founded the University of Virginia. UVA comprises eleven schools and affiliated foundations in Charlottesville, plus the College at Wise in Southwest Virginia. The UVA Health System is a renowned academic medical center. UVA offers a robust benefits program alongside traditional health care, time off, and retirement plans.