Research Assistant will provide general research support to a faculty member in the School of Engineering.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The Research Assistant will assist with department research projects.  The Research Assistant works under direct supervision of a School of Engineering faculty member. The Research Assistant is assigned duties and carries out research objectives and tasks as outlined by the faculty member based on the research.  While supervised, the Research Assistant will be expected to follow guidelines and protocols for safe lab operation as well as to continue developing a good understanding of lab manuals and laboratory terminology.  If using simulation codes, the Research Assistant will assume responsibility for proper operations of the computing facility.  Off hours and weekend work may be required but must have authorization from the faculty advisor.

The Research Assistant must be able to:

•           Understand engineering equipment and processes

•           Plot data in a software package such as Excel, MATLAB, or Mathematica

•           Order articles from the library

•           Learn computer hardware and software for engineering applications

•           Perform research tasks as directed under supervision toward investigation, evaluation, and application of known engineering theories and principles

QUALIFICATIONS AND CREDENTIALS

Education and Experience

Minimum Qualifications:

Proficiency in MS Word, Excel, Access, and Power Point is required. Hours will vary; candidates must have the ability to work 18 hours per week. Candidates must be enrolled in the School of Engineering during the academic year and must have and maintain a minimum of 2.5 overall GPA. Candidates must also be able to lift a minimum of 20 lbs.  

Preferred Qualifications:

Successful candidates will possess excellent oral and written communication skills, customer service skills, demonstrate computer proficiency, be team focused, and possess the abilities to both follow instructions and lead others, a Christ-like attitude, and the ability to function responsibly with minimum direct supervision. 

ABILITIES AND COMPETENCIES ESSENTIAL TO THE FUNCTION OF THE JOB

Communication and Comprehension

• Ability to effectively communicate both verbally and in writing to convey clear, well articulated information.
• Ability to understand, speak, and write English in order to convey messages and correspond in an articulate and professional manner.
• Possess public communication skills that allow professional representation of Liberty University to a variety of business and community customers and associates.
• Strong organizational skills.
• Excellent computer skills.

Problem Solving

• Intuitively able to reason, analyze information and events, and apply judgment in order to solve problems of both a routine and complex nature.

Physical and Sensory Abilities

• Occasionally required to travel to local and campus locations.

• Frequently required to sit for extended periods to perform deskwork or type on a keyboard.  Regularly required to hear and speak in order to effectively communicate orally.
• Occasionally required to stand, walk, and climb stairs to move about the building.
• Handle materials, reach overhead, kneel or stoop in order to conduct business.
• Regularly lift 10 or fewer pounds.

WORKING CONDITIONS

Work Environment

The working environment in which one will typically perform the essential functions of this position is a climate-controlled research setting.  It is well lit, and the noise level is moderate.  Hours are to be worked out between the faculty member and student.

Driving Requirements

None

Time Type

Part time

Location

Onsite

The University is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We believe it is our moral and legal obligation to meet the responsibility of ensuring that all management practices regarding employees are conducted in a nondiscriminatory manner. In compliance with Title VII of the 1964 Civil Rights Act, and other applicable federal and state statutes, all recruiting, hiring, training, and promoting for all job classifications will be administered without regard to race, color, ancestry, age, sex, national origin, pregnancy or childbirth, disability, military veteran status or other applicable status protected by law, including state of employment protected classes. It is, therefore, our policy and intention to evaluate all employees and prospective employees strictly according to the requirements of the job. All personnel related activities such as compensation, benefits, transfers, job classification, assignments, working conditions, educational assistance, terminations, layoffs, and return from layoffs, and all other terms, conditions and privileges of employment will be administered without regard to race, color, ancestry, age, sex, national origin, pregnancy or childbirth, disability, military veteran status or other applicable status protected by law, including all applicable state of employment protected classes. The University is a Christian religious-affiliated organization; and as such, is not subject to religious discrimination requirements. The University’s hiring practices and EEO discrimination practices are in full compliance with both federal and state law. Federal law creates an exception to the “religion” component of the employment discrimination laws for religious organizations (including educational institutions), and permits them to give employment practice preference to members of their own religious beliefs.