Acoustical Research Engineer

Job no: 536885
Work type: Faculty - Career
Location: Portland, OR
Categories: Research/Scientific/Grants, Physics, Engineering/Biomedical Engineering

Please submit the following with your online application:

• A cover letter in which you clearly describe how your knowledge, skills, and abilities prepare you for the job responsibilities and requirements outlined in the job announcement.
• A resume of your educational and professional work experience.

Please submit the names and contact information for three professional references. Candidates will be notified prior to contacting references.

Note:

This position is based in Portland Oregon.

The Oregon Acoustic Research Laboratory (OARL) is a state-of-the-art facility for conducting acoustical tests of mass timber assemblies to support the expansion of the mass timber industry. It is located in NW Portland at the Port of Portland’s Mass Timber and Housing Innovation Campus.
Currently, lack of acoustical testing is widely recognized as a barrier to the development of amass timber multi-family housing in North America. OARL will provide floor/ceiling assembly testing chambers capable of delivering reliable, repeatable, and accredited acoustical test results. Testing will focus on airborne sound transmission loss (ASTM E90), impact sound transmission (ASTM E492), and impact sound reduction (ASTM E2179), but will include other ASTM and ISO standard tests along with other non-standard tests.

As the only university-affiliated lab of its kind in the United States, OARL will also serve as a central hub for building acoustics research These new research and industry testing capacities will support increased utilization of mass-timber assemblies in low-, mid-, and high-rise housing and commercial buildings. OARL’s research will also pave the way for the future of building acoustics testing.

The University of Oregon Acoustics Research Laboratory seeks a qualified Acoustical Research Engineer to support acoustical testing, applied research activities, and day-to-day laboratory operations within a nationally recognized research and testing facility. This position contributes to the execution of standardized acoustical test methods and supports innovative research in acoustics, vibration, and noise control across a range of built-environment and engineering applications.
This role is ideal for a professional with formal training in acoustics, engineering, physics, or a related discipline, and hands-on experience conducting experimental measurements in laboratory or field environments. The successful candidate will demonstrate strong technical aptitude, attention to detail, and the ability to support both routine testing services and evolving research initiatives in a collaborative, multidisciplinary setting.
The Acoustical Research Engineer reports to the OARL Director and assists with the setup, calibration, operation, and maintenance of acoustical and vibration measurement systems; conducts laboratory and field testing; supports data collection and analysis; and helps maintain laboratory quality and safety standards. The position may also support faculty, student researchers, and external industry partners engaged in sponsored research and testing activities.
Experience in acoustics or vibration disciplines beyond building acoustics—including noise and vibration measurement, experimental modal analysis, signal processing, electroacoustics, and noise, vibration, and harshness (NVH), and experience with instrumentation, data acquisition systems, technical software, and research documentation are highly valued skills for success in this position.
The ideal candidate is a…