Hardware Research Engineer (Optomechanical Systems)

Rice University•Houston, TX

3d•Onsite

About The Position

The Kortum Lab in Rice University’s 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.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in bioengineering, biomedical engineering, electrical engineering, computer science, mechanical engineering, physics, or a related field
Two or more (2+) years of related experience
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

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree
Three or more years of experience with optical microscopy, optomechanical hardware, instrumentation control, and/or translational clinical studies
Experience with precision motorized translation stages
Experience with embedded electronic components such as FPGAs or microcontrollers
Experience with rapid prototyping
Experience with hardware cost-reduction strategies

Responsibilities

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.