Research Associate

Hiring Department: W.M. Keck Center for 3D Innovation

Reports To: Executive Director

Job Location: On-site; El Paso, TX

Posting End Date: Open until filled. This posting may close once a sufficient number of qualified applications have been received.

Hours: 40 hours per week, standard Monday- Friday 8:00am- 5:00pm, flexibility is required on evenings and weekends

FLSA status: Exempt

Earliest Start Date: As soon as possible.

Salary: $70,000 annually.

Required Application Materials:

• Resume
• Cover Letter
• List of three references

Note: This is a full time, temporary contingent upon availability of funds position with a possibility of extension.

The purpose of this position is to manage additive manufacturing (AM) projects (e.g., laser characterization and laser scanning technology specific to laser powder bed fusion) within the W.M. Keck Center for 3D Innovation to advance additive manufacturing research at UTEP. This includes operating AM equipment, analyzing results, mentoring student researchers, and assisting with educational activities as needed.

Duties and Responsibilities

General Duties:

• Conducts, monitors, and analyzes research projects and data.
• Uses statistical methods for the relational databases to analyze data sets.
• Prepares reports of research findings.
• Conducts data-gathering experiment and tests.
• Authors or edits technical reports, summaries of findings, and/or publications in technical journals.
• Assists with planning, developing, coordinating, and administering research projects.
• Assists with formulating research objectives, programs, and priorities.
• Designs and creates computer programs for research applications.
• Trains users on the operation and data management of research equipment.
• Has knowledge of all Microsoft Office software and the ability to learn and use institutional software systems.
• Complies with all State and University policies.
• Other duties may be assigned.

Keck Center-Specific Duties:

• Manages designated training and research projects focused on laser powder bed fusion (LPBF).
• Reports progress to Associate Director and interfaces regularly with other Keck Center directors and staff to provide updates as needed.
• Operates LPBF equipment as needed.
  • Performs routine beam measurements and scanner data analysis
  • Completes build file setup and plate scans
  • Assists with LPBF sensing capabilities
• Identifies when something is not right in the LPBF process and works towards resolving the issue.
• Implements his/her knowledge of standard components in a LPBF system.
• Participates in the development of standard operation procedures or work instructions for LPBF.
• Operates materials testing and/or characterization equipment, analyzes data obtained, and interprets such data for publications, presentations, or other relevant communications.
• Mentors Keck Center students by training them in equipment operation, data analysis, and communication. This may include providing career mentoring to help guide students towards success.
  • Trains and assists students in the setup and execution of beam measurements using different measurement systems.
  • Provides training on build file setup and plate scan procedures for students across all LPBF systems in the laboratory.
  • Trains undergraduate and graduate students in statistics-based design of experiments.
  • Provides guidance on circuitry and controls using LabView or other relevant data acquisition software
• Creates presentations and drafts technical reports based on research findings and relays such information to the funding agency or to colleagues in a way that can be understood.
• Assists with additional LPBF communications (publications, media, agency, program collaborators, equipment/instrument vendors, industry, etc.

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.

Required Qualifications:

Education: Master's Degree in Engineering or Science.

and

Experience: 3 years of experience operating laser powder bed fusion (LPBF) equipment, including but not limited to, powder handling, machine set up, part removal, post processing, and documentation of the work.

Preferred Qualifications:

Master’s Degree with progress towards a Ph.D. Degree in Engineering or Science.

Demonstrated experience using and evaluating LPBF processes, with specific experience in monitoring and data analysis.

The University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP) is a comprehensive public research university that is increasing access to excellent higher education. We advance discovery of public value and positively impact the health, culture, education, and economy of the community we serve.

UTEP is America’s leading Hispanic-serving university. Located at the westernmost tip of Texas, where three states and two countries converge along the Rio Grande, 84% of our 26,000 students are Hispanic, and half are the first in their families to go to college. UTEP offers 170 bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degree programs at the only open-access, top-tier research university in America.

This is an especially exciting time to join UTEP as it advances the goals of its 2030 Strategic Plan. Built around the institution’s core strengths—its location, its people, its supportive culture, and its community partnerships—the plan lays out a bold vision for the next decade, aimed at maximizing the University’s regional impact and national stature.

About the Department

The UTEP Keck Center serves as a hub for interdisciplinary innovation, bringing together researchers, students, and industry partners to address complex challenges through collaborative, applied research. The Center offers a dynamic, mission-driven environment that supports cutting-edge projects, fosters professional growth, and advances impactful work across multiple fields.

What UTEP Offers:

• Benefit Package includes: Medical, Prescription, Life Insurance and Wellness platform
• Voluntary Benefits: Dental, Vision, Additional life insurance, UT Flex, Short and Long - term disability plans
• Retirement Programs
• Longevity Pay
• Paid Vacation & Sick Leave
• Paid Holidays
• Employee Discounts & Perks
• Employee Education Assistance program
• And much more! Visit our Benefits Summary Page for more information on our additional benefits.

Disclaimer: Eligibility for perks and benefits may vary based on part-time or full-time employment.

Note: To the extent that this position involves research, work, or access to critical infrastructure as referenced in Executive Order GA-48, being hired for and continuing to be employed in this position requires the ability to maintain the security or integrity of the infrastructure.

The primary accountabilities are intended to describe the general content of and requirements of this position and are not intended to be an exhaustive statement of duties. Incumbents may perform all or some of the primary accountabilities listed. Specific tasks or responsibilities will be documented in the incumbents’ performance objectives as outlined by the incumbents’ immediate supervisor or manager. This position is security-sensitive and subject to Texas Education Code §51.215, which authorizes the employer to obtain criminal history record information. A valid driver’s license issued by the State where the applicant resides and insurability as defined in UTS 157 may be required to perform the position's essential functions.

The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit; use hands to feel; and reach with hands and arms. The employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; and talk or hear. The employee must regularly be able to lift and move up to 50 lbs.

The noise level for this work environment is usually moderate.

In keeping with its access, excellence, and impact mission, The University of Texas at El Paso is committed to a learning and working environment that honors the talents, respects the differences, and nurtures the growth and development of all. We seek to attract faculty and staff who share our commitment.

The University of Texas at El Paso is an Equal Opportunity Employer. The University does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, sexual orientation, or gender identity in employment or the provision of services in accordance with state and federal law. Discrimination on the basis of sex includes an employee’s or prospective employee’s right to be free from sexual harassment under Title IX of the Higher Education Amendments of 1972. Inquiries—including the filing of a Formal Complaint or reporting an incident—about the application of Title IX may be referred to the Title IX Coordinator, who can be reached by phone at (915) 747-8358, by email at titleix@utep.edu, or by mail at 500 W. University Ave., El Paso, TX, Kelly Hall, Room 223C.

For accommodation information for employees and applicants with disabilities, please contact UTEP's Equal Opportunity Office at eoaa@utep.edu.