Research Scientist II

Overview

Georgia Tech prides itself on its technological resources, collaborations, high-quality student body, and its commitment to building an outstanding and diverse community of learning, discovery, and creation. We strongly encourage applicants whose values align with our institutional values, as outlined in our Strategic Plan. These values include academic excellence, diversity of thought and experience, inquiry and innovation, collaboration and community, and ethical behavior and stewardship. Georgia Tech has policies to promote a healthy work-life balance and is aware that attracting faculty may require meeting the needs of two careers.

About Georgia Tech

Georgia Tech is a top-ranked public research university situated in the heart of Atlanta, a diverse and vibrant city with numerous economic and cultural strengths. The Institute serves more than 45,000 students through top-ranked undergraduate, graduate, and executive programs in engineering, computing, science, business, design, and liberal arts. Georgia Tech's faculty attracted more than $1.4 billion in research awards this past year in fields ranging from biomedical technology to artificial intelligence, energy, sustainability, semiconductors, neuroscience, and national security. Georgia Tech ranks among the nation's top 20 universities for research and development spending and No. 1 among institutions without a medical school.

Georgia Tech's Mission and Values

Georgia Tech's mission is to develop leaders who advance technology and improve the human condition. The Institute has nine key values that are foundational to everything we do:
1. Students are our top priority.
2. We strive for excellence.
3. We thrive on diversity.
4. We celebrate collaboration.
5. We champion innovation.
6. We safeguard freedom of inquiry and expression.
7. We nurture the well-being of our community.
8. We act ethically.
9. We are responsible stewards.

Over the next decade, Georgia Tech will become an example of inclusive innovation, a leading technological research university of unmatched scale, relentlessly committed to serving the public good; breaking new ground in addressing the biggest local, national, and global challenges and opportunities of our time; making technology broadly accessible; and developing exceptional, principled leaders from all backgrounds ready to produce novel ideas and create solutions with real human impact.

About the School of Electrical and Computer Engineering (ECE) at the Georgia Institute of Technology

The School of Electrical and Computer Engineering (ECE) at the Georgia Institute of Technology is one of the largest producers of electrical engineers and computer engineers in the United States. Almost 2,600 students are enrolled in the School's graduate and undergraduate programs, and in the last academic year, 801 degrees were awarded. All ECE undergraduate and graduate programs are in the top five of the most recent college rankings by U.S. News & World Report.

In addition to the main campus in Atlanta, Georgia, ECE also has permanent operations at Georgia Tech-Lorraine in France. Graduate students who spend at least one semester each at of the Georgia Tech locations (Atlanta, Lorraine, on two continents, North America and Europe) can earn the Georgia Tech Global Engineering Immersion Program (GEIP) Certificate when they receive the Georgia Tech M.S. degree.

Over 110 ECE faculty members are involved in 11 areas of research and education: bioengineering, computer systems and software, digital signal processing, electrical energy, electromagnetics, electronic design and applications, nanotechnology, optics and photonics, systems and controls, telecommunications, and VLSI systems and digital design: and the School is either home to or a key player in almost 20 research centers and consortia.

ECE is key to Georgia Tech's growing reputation as an internationally recognized educational and research and development university. ECE is firmly committed to sustaining excellence in traditional areas of strength and venturing into burgeoning areas of opportunity.

Atlanta, GA

Research Scientist will manage the day-to-day operations of the research laboratory. This position plays a dual role by conducting and/or assisting with high-impact research and ensuring the laboratory runs efficiently. The candidate will assist the PI in mentoring junior researchers as they are designing and conducting experiments; oversee maintenance of dry-lab equipment; ensure safety compliance; and contribute to high-quality publications and grant proposals.

1. Research and Scientific Contributions:

2. Help to design and execute research projects: Together with junior researchers, develop and refine experiments in collaboration with faculty, postdocs, and graduate students within and outside the lab, helping to ensure rigorous study design. Assist with the execution of research projects to ensure success. Help to align research efforts with the lab's and individuals long-term goals.

3. Help to analyze and interpret the data/results: Help others to analyze and interpret complex data sets using advanced software and tools. Ensure scientific rigor in all analyses.

4. Publication and presentation: Contribute to preparing peer-reviewed journal articles, conference presentations, and grant proposals. Co-author (or lead) manuscripts based on research outcomes.

5. Collaborative research: Engage in interdisciplinary research with external collaborators, maintaining strong communication and partnerships to advance shared goals.

6. Laboratory Management:

7. Lab operations: Help to manage the operational functions of the lab, including experimental workflow, equipment usage, and personnel to ensure the efficient functioning of the lab.

8. Equipment maintenance: Help to ensure that lab infrastructure is maintained and operational. Coordinate routine maintenance schedules, promptly address any technical issues, and work with service providers to minimize downtime.

9. Safety and research ethics compliance: Help ensure the lab complies with all institutional, state, and federal safety regulations (e.g., chemical safety, biosafety) by overseeing the implementation of safety protocols by lab members and maintaining up-to-date documentation. Ensure all research activities adhere to ethical standards and regulatory requirements, including Institutional Review Board (IRB) protocols for human subjects and Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) guidelines for animal research. Oversee the submission, approval, and adherence to all IRB/IACUC protocols, ensuring that studies are conducted responsibly and in full compliance with all relevant regulations.

10. Personnel Management:

11. Mentorship and training: Provide mentorship, training, and supervision to graduate students and postdoctoral researchers. Promote a collaborative, inclusive lab culture. Participate in evaluating lab personnel, providing constructive feedback and setting goals for improvement.

12. Training Programs: Facilitate professional development opportunities for lab members, such as workshops, seminars, or training sessions on new techniques and technologies.

13. Administrative Responsibilities:

14. Grant preparation: Submit and manage your own grants. Assist the principal investigator (PI) with grant preparation and progress reports. Contribute to the preparation of grant proposals and funding applications by developing research objectives, drafting proposal content, and coordinating with team members to ensure timely submission and compliance with funding requirements to secure external resources for laboratory projects.

15. Serve as a liaison between the laboratory and external collaborators/departments: Act as a point of contact between the laboratory and external collaborators or departments, coordinating communication, facilitating joint projects, and ensuring alignment of objectives to advance shared research goals.

16. Recruitment and collaborative opportunities: Assist in recruiting efforts to attract a diverse pool of talented students and staff, while simultaneously seeking out and developing new collaborations with other researchers, institutions, or industry partners. By building strong networks and partnerships, contribute to the lab's growth and advancement of shared research goals.

1. Ph.D. in science or engineering (biology, chemistry, physics, biophysics, electrical, mechanical, biomedical engineering is preferred).

2. Five or more years of experience in laboratory research or equivalent research environment.

3. Full technical ability for interpreting, organizing, executing, and coordinating research projects.

4. Research with substantial scientific, translational or clinical impact, and development of intellectual property.

5. Previous project management experience in research setting.

6. Ability to act independently on technical matters pertaining to projects and laboratory.

7. Exhibits creativity, foresight and mature judgment in conducting research programs/projects.

Experience in cellular immunotherapy and immunoengineering, including work with CAR T cells, engineered immune cells, immune checkpoint blockade treatment, or related translational systems.

Experience with ultrasound and/or photoacoustic imaging, including instrumentation, system integration, or development of imaging-based diagnostics for biological applications.

Expertise in biological or molecular sensing technologies, particularly in protease-activated imaging sensors, multiplexed imaging probes, or other engineered imaging contrast agents.

Background in biomedical engineering, bioinstrumentation, imaging contrast agent design or advanced biological assay development.

Training in optics/photonics, acoustics, chemistry, and biology with applications in imaging, sensing, diagnostic technology development, and in vivo preclinical studies.

Proficiency in signal and image processing, quantitative analysis, and data presentation relevant to biological and medical imaging workflows.

Hands-on experience with biological and imaging laboratory equipment, such as flow cytometry, cell culture, assay platforms, molecular analysis tools, ultrasound/photoacoustic imaging systems, or related instrumentation.

Experience in preparing competitive proposals for federal, institutional, and philanthropic funding mechanisms.

Experience in non-academic professional roles.

Prior supervision or mentorship of undergraduate, graduate, or postdoctoral researchers, with evidence of effective leadership and training.

The University System of Georgia is comprised of our 26 institutions of higher education and learning as well as the System Office. Our USG Statement of Core Values are Integrity, Excellence, Accountability, and Respect. These values serve as the foundation for all that we do as an organization, and each USG community member is responsible for demonstrating and upholding these standards. More details on the USG Statement of Core Values and Code of Conduct are available in USG Board Policy 8.2.18.1.2 and can be found on-line at https://www.usg.edu/policymanual/section8/C224/#p8.2.18_personnel_conduct.

Additionally, USG supports Freedom of Expression as stated in Board Policy 6.5 Freedom of Expression and Academic Freedom found on-line at https://www.usg.edu/policymanual/section6/C2653.

The Georgia Institute of Technology (Georgia Tech) is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer. The Institute is committed to maintaining a fair and respectful environment for all. To that end, and in accordance with federal and state law, Board of Regents policy, and Institute policy, Georgia Tech provides equal opportunity to all faculty, staff, students, and all other members of the Georgia Tech community, including applicants for admission and/or employment, contractors, volunteers, and participants in institutional programs, activities, or services. Georgia Tech complies with all applicable laws and regulations governing equal opportunity in the workplace and in educational activities.

Equal opportunity and decisions based on merit are fundamental values of the University System of Georgia ("USG") and Georgia Tech. Georgia Tech prohibits discrimination, including discriminatory harassment, on the basis of an individual's race, ethnicity, ancestry, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy), national origin, age, disability, genetics, or veteran status in its programs, activities, employment, and admissions. Further, Georgia Tech prohibits citizenship status, immigration status, and national origin discrimination in hiring, firing, and recruitment, except where such restrictions are required in order to comply with law, regulation, executive order, or Attorney General directive, or where they are required by Federal, State, or local government contract.

This is not a supervisory position.
This position does not have any financial responsibilities.
This position will not be required to drive.
This role is not considered a position of trust.
This position does not require a purchasing card (P-Card).
This position will not travel
This position does not require security clearance.

Successful candidate must be able to pass a background check. Please visit http://policylibrary.gatech.edu/employment/pre-employment-screening