Job Summary

The Research Associate II will be responsible for the conduct of research and helping with laboratory administration in the Drexel Wireless Systems Laboratory (DWSL). The employee will be collaborating on multiple projects with other researchers but must also be able to lead multiple technical and administrative efforts independently. Specific job tasks include writing proposals, papers, and reports, assisting with development of Antenna. This position interacts with other Drexel faculty, staff, and students (within or outside of the College of Engineering) on a regular basis.

Essential Functions

• Business Development - Work with potential business partners to build and maintain a cooperative relationship through the entire cycle from initial meetings, cultivation of prospective research sponsors, proposal development, and progress reporting.
• Lab Administration – Help perform lab administration duties such as lab supply and equipment procurement, equipment management, grant paperwork (including pre-award submissions, post-award budget management, and progress report preparation).
• Proposal Writing - Assist in technical writing tasks and administrative functions of proposal preparation and submission. Keep track of upcoming due dates and solicitations that may be in accordance with the lab's research mission. Work with Drexel's research office and ECE/COE staff to coordinate proposal submission logistics.
• Research and Collaboration - Perform research and technical tasks for grants that have been awarded. Ensure that the relationship with collaborative entities such as other universities and industrial partners remains effective by maintaining knowledge about lab research tasks and personnel to make the proper connections between researchers in the lab and at the collaborator’s institution. Ensure projects progress on track in accordance with the proposed timeline at time of award.
• System Administration – Help manage the lab anechoic chamber, reverberation chamber, and ceiling mounted Software Defined Radio grid network consisting of radio nodes, reconfigurable antennas, RFID readers, a large wireless channel emulator, and their associated computers and servers. Help ensure close to 100% uptime on the grid network for research continuity. Support and evolve lab hardware and software development initiatives. Assist developers in debugging production issues.
• Student Mentoring - Mentor undergraduate and graduate students working in the lab with respect to their own research areas. Help students find the resources they require, whether that be physical lab equipment or administrative/financial resources. Help students by providing advice and assistance in research and education needs.
• Represent employer at conferences, meetings, boards, panels, committees, or working groups to present, explain, or defend research findings or recommendations, negotiate research agreements, or exchange information.
• Other duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications

• A bachelor's degree in electrical and computer engineering, Computer Science, or a related field is required, or the equivalent combination of education and work experience.
  • Please review the  Equivalency Chart for additional information.
• Two years of experience is required.
• Strong analytical, technical, and writing skills.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to design radio frequency electronic components or systems for research commercial, industrial, medical, military, or scientific applications.
• Ability to operate computer-assisted radio frequency engineering or design software or equipment to perform electronics engineering tasks.
• Ability to confer with engineers, customers, vendors, or others to discuss existing or potential radio frequency electronics engineering research projects or products.
• Strong knowledge on various RF system design such as RF passive components, PLL, VCO, and antenna design from UHF RFID to mmWave for 5G.
• Experience with RF spectrum analyzer, RF network analyzer, EMscan, Anechoic/Reverberate chambers, mmWave circuit design, printed circuit board fabrication.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with Software Defined Radios is preferred.

Physical Requirements

• Typically sitting at a desk/table
• Typically standing, walking

Location

• University City – Philadelphia, PA

Additional Information

This position is classified as exempt, grade J. Compensation for this grade ranges from Ma minimum of $47,490.00 to a maximum of $71,230.00 per year. Please note that the offered rate for this position typically aligns with the minimum to midrange of this grade, but it can vary based on the successful candidate’s qualifications and experience, department budget, and an internal equity review. 

We encourage you to explore Drexel's Professional Staff salary structure and Compensation Guidelines & Policies for more details on our compensation framework.

You can also find valuable information about our benefits in the Benefits Brochure.

Special Instructions to the Applicant

Please make sure you upload your CV/resume and cover letter when submitting your application.

A review of applicants will begin once a suitable candidate pool is identified.