MRC- Research Associate

The University of Texas at Austin•Austin, TX

19d•Onsite

About The Position

As a top-10 engineering school with the No. 1 program in Texas, the Cockrell School of Engineering at The University of Texas at Austin has been a global leader in technology innovation and engineering education for over a century. With 11 undergraduate and 13 graduate programs, over 20 research centers and a faculty community that boasts one of the highest number of National Academy of Engineering members among U.S. universities, Texas Engineering has launched some of the nation’s most accomplished leaders and pioneered world-changing solutions in virtually every industry, from space exploration to energy to health care. Situated in the heart of Austin — named “America’s Coolest City” by Expedia and “The Best Place to Live in the U.S.” by U.S. News and World Report — the Cockrell School embodies the city’s innovative spirit. Major companies with Austin campuses, such as Dell, National Instruments, Apple, IBM, Samsung, Google and many others, continue to recruit Cockrell School students at a remarkable rate, launching thousands of successful careers and developing Texas Engineers into industry leaders. At UT Austin, we say “What starts here changes the world.” As a member of the university community, you will be part of an organization that is internationally recognized for our academic programs and research. Your work will have meaning and make a difference not only in the lives of our faculty, staff, and students, but also those who are impacted by our first-class academic and research programs. UT Austin provides outstanding employee benefits and total rewards packages that include: Competitive health benefits (employee premiums covered at 100%, family premiums at 50%) Voluntary Vision, Dental, Life, and Disability insurance options Generous paid vacation, sick time, and holidays Teachers Retirement System of Texas, a defined benefit retirement plan, with 8.25% employer matching funds Additional Voluntary Retirement Programs: Tax Sheltered Annuity 403(b) and a Deferred Compensation program 457(b) Flexible spending account options for medical and childcare expenses Robust free training access through LinkedIn Learning, plus professional conference opportunities Tuition assistance Expansive employee discount program, including athletic tickets Free access to UT Austin's libraries and museums with a staff ID card Free rides on all UT Shuttle and Austin Cap Metro buses with a staff ID card Position Purpose The Research Associate will conduct independent and collaborative research on advanced radio-frequency (RF) and millimeter-wave acoustic microsystems, with a focus on piezoelectric thin-film devices (e.g., SAW, Lamb-wave, and bulk acoustic resonators) and their application to wireless communication, sensing, and computing systems. The positions will support multi-institutional, federally sponsored and industry-sponsored projects within the RF Acoustic Microsystems group in the Department of ECE.

Requirements

Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a closely related field, with a focus on MEMS, acoustics, RF/microwave engineering, or a related area
Demonstrated research experience in micro-/nano-electromechanical systems (MEMS/NEMS) or acoustic wave devices, evidenced by a strong record of peer-reviewed publications.

Nice To Haves

Research experience with thin-film piezoelectric materials such as LiNbO₃/LiTaO₃, AlN/ScAlN, or related hetero-acoustic platforms (e.g., piezo-on-substrate, or Bragg reflectors).
Experience designing and characterizing high-frequency (GHz to mmWave) acoustic resonators and filters, including SAW/SH-SAW, Lamb-wave, and FBAR/SMR devices.
Advanced hands-on experience in micro/nanofabrication, beyond the minimum requirements, including process integration and optimization of lithography (UV, EBL), thin-film deposition (PVD/PECVD), dry etching (RIE/ICP/ion milling), and fab-related metrology (profilometry, SEM).
Proficiency with finite-element or multiphysics simulation tools (e.g., COMSOL, ANSYS) for acoustic/RF device design, and circuit-level tools (e.g., ADS, SPICE, Cadence) for co-design with RF front-ends.
Strong design, data analysis and modeling skills using MATLAB and/or Python, including automation of layout, measurement, post-processing, and parameter extraction.
Experience with RF/microwave device characterization, such as on-wafer probing, S-parameter measurements, and extraction of figures of merit for resonators and filters.
Prior involvement in multi-institutional or sponsored research projects (e.g., DARPA, NIST, industry partners), including preparation of technical reports, presentations, and milestone-driven deliverables.
Demonstrated experience mentoring or supervising graduate and/or undergraduate students in device design, fabrication, or measurement.
Strong scientific writing and presentation skills, including a track record of first-author publications and conference presentations in relevant fields (MEMS, acoustics, RF/microwave, or related areas).

Responsibilities

Device designing, fabrication, testing and modeling of Radio Frequency Microsystems
Dissemination of research results through papers and presentations
Supervise graduate and undergraduate students
Grant writing
Perform other related duties as assigned

Benefits

Competitive health benefits (employee premiums covered at 100%, family premiums at 50%)
Voluntary Vision, Dental, Life, and Disability insurance options
Generous paid vacation, sick time, and holidays
Teachers Retirement System of Texas, a defined benefit retirement plan, with 8.25% employer matching funds
Additional Voluntary Retirement Programs: Tax Sheltered Annuity 403(b) and a Deferred Compensation program 457(b)
Flexible spending account options for medical and childcare expenses
Robust free training access through LinkedIn Learning, plus professional conference opportunities
Tuition assistance
Expansive employee discount program, including athletic tickets
Free access to UT Austin's libraries and museums with a staff ID card
Free rides on all UT Shuttle and Austin Cap Metro buses with a staff ID card