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Title: Undergraduate Research Assistant (SP)
Employee Classification: Student Help Regular
Division Name: Academic Affairs
Department: Mechanical Engineering

Job Summary

The Department of Mechanical Engineering has an open position for one undergraduate student to participate in a research project focused on the design and simulation of a thermochemical conversion reactor. This project emphasizes engineering design, thermal analysis, and simulation-driven performance evaluation using advanced CAD software (SolidWorks/Ansys).
The selected student will work under the mentorship of Dr. Md Hafizur Rahman on:

Background study on various thermochemical reactor systems
Developing and modifying reactor geometries using CAD tools for simulation-ready models
Performing thermal simulation to study heat transfer behavior
Investigating temperature distribution for the designed reactor
Contributing to technical reports, presentations, or research outputs as applicable

Additional Information

Student employees are eligible to participate in the University’s 403(b) Plan.  More information can be found here.

Pay Rate

$16.00/per hour

Preferred Qualifications

This position is ideal for students interested in simulation, energy conversion, and design analysis. The experience will strengthen skills in finite element analysis (FEA), engineering modeling, and problem-solving, and is well-suited for students considering a career in applied engineering, especially bio-processing.

Work Hours

3 hours per week

Functional Expectations

Must be able to complete the following with or without a reasonable accommodation:
- Effectively communicate on a daily basis.

Proposed Starting Date

May 2026

Important Information for Applicants

This position is subject to a criminal background investigation and if applicable, an employment history review, based on University Policy 3.1.30 and any offer of employment is contingent upon you passing a satisfactory criminal background investigation and/or an employment history review. You may not begin work until the criminal background investigation results have been received and cleared by Human Resources.

In addition, all appointments are contingent upon proof of eligibility for employment at Illinois State University to perform the required duties described above on your scheduled start date. The Immigration and Control Act of 1986, Public Law 99-603, requires all new employees to file an I-9 in person and no later than three days from the beginning of employment. This may be accomplished within the department or through Human Resources. A list of the types of documentation you will be expected to provide is available at https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents. Failure to comply with this law will result in cancellation of your appointment.

Illinois State University, as your employer, is required by federal law to ensure proper tax withholding from wages and to ensure that the required reporting of employee wages, withholding, and employment taxes is accurate. For this reason, every employee must have a valid Social Security Number registered with the University at the time of employment and/or as soon after as possible, but no later than 45 days from the start date. Failure to comply with this law may result in cancellation of your appointment.

Illinois State University student employees are restricted to no more than 28 hours per week of on-campus employment for all positions held.

International students are restricted by their visa status to no more than 20 hours per week of on-campus employment when the university is in session but may work more when the university is not in session. International students should contact the Office of International Studies and Programs for guidance if they have questions concerning employment restrictions.

Illinois State University is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran.

If you are an individual with a disability and need a reasonable accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) or other state or federal law you may request an accommodation by contacting the Office of Equal Opportunity and Access at (309) 438-3383. The Office of Equal Opportunity and Access will hold any confidential information you provide in confidence.

If you are having difficulty accessing the system, please call Human Resources at (309) 438-8311.