Research Associate, Research Scientist, Robotics

Research Associate

Posting Number: RTF
00109PO26

Campus: Columbia

Work County: Richland

College/Division: College of Engineering and Computing

Department: CEC Mechanical Engineering

Anticipated Salary Range: $52,526 - $75,000

Employment Type: Full Time (12 months)

Hours Per Week: 40

• Monday – Friday, 8:30 am – 5:00 pm
• Schedule may change to meet the needs of the college

Staff Position Type: Staff Research Grant (SRGP)

Job Search Category: Other Professional

• Annual Leave:
  Yes
• Sick Leave:
  Yes
• South Carolina Retirement:
  Yes
• State Insurance Programs:
  Yes

A research associate will investigate and develop autonomous systems, such as unmanned surface vessels. Design and develop sensors (camera and lidar), guidance, navigation, and control systems onboard unmanned surface vessels (USVs). Implement guidance, navigation, and control algorithms for autonomous vehicle operation in the littoral environment. Maintain and operate the USVs in littoral environments to acquire measurements required to meet research goals.

Analyze data acquired using MATLAB or other programming languages. Document technical results and presenting findings in project meetings and conferences. Assist in proposal preparations, journal article preparation, and supervising undergraduate and graduate students.

• Requires a master’s degree in area of research specialty.

• Ph.D. in Engineering, Physical Sciences, or related field, or a Master’s degree in a relevant engineering field of study with more than 3 years of experience.

• MATLAB and Python programming.
• C++, Hardware, and software experience in developing autonomous systems.

• Design and develop autonomous systems for unmanned surface vessels, including perception systems (camera, lidar, radar, INS) and guidance, navigation, and control systems, implemented using ROS or directly in Python, MATLAB, or C++. (40%)
• Process and analyze collected data and sensor readings from the littoral environment using MATLAB or other computer languages; identify and develop computer vision methods or other approaches for situational awareness. (30%)
• Create technical documentation of project results, contribute to the monthly report, prepare slides, videos, and demos for quarterly project reviews, and present outcomes in internal meetings and conferences. (20%)
• Oversee students in using the sensor system and simulation of the autonomous systems; guide students in troubleshooting sensors and programming, and assist in instructing them in autonomous surface vessel deployment and data acquisition. (10%)

Hazardous Weather Category: Non‑Essential

Pre‑employment and post‑employment drug testing: No

The University of South Carolina does not discriminate in educational or employment opportunities or decisions for qualified persons on the basis of age, ancestry, citizenship status, color, disability, ethnicity, familial status, gender (including transgender), gender identity or expression, genetic information, HIV/AIDs status, military status, national origin, pregnancy (false pregnancy, termination of pregnancy, childbirth, recovery therefrom or related medical conditions, breastfeeding), race, religion (including religious dress and grooming practices), sex, sexual orientation, veteran status, or any other bases under federal, state, local law, or regulations.