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Pay Grade/Pay Range: The rate of pay is to be determined by the employer.

Department/Organization: This position reports to an off-campus employer.

Normal Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 6:00am to 6:00pm

Note to Applicants: To apply, email the following to dbussan@usgs.gov with the subject line: “Graduate Research Assistant – Electrical Engineering & Advanced Instrumentation Systems"

• Résumé
• Class schedule for the current semester
• Portfolio samples (PDF or link required)
• A brief statement (3–5 sentences) describing your interest in design and visual communications

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled, and interviews will be scheduled immediately upon receipt of qualified applications.

Applications submitted through the UA Student Jobsite will not be reviewed.

Job Summary: A Graduate Student Assistant for Electrical Engineering & Advanced Instrumentation Systems supports advanced research, development, and field deployment of next-generation environmental sensing and hydrologic monitoring systems for the USGS Hydrologic Instrumentation Facility. Develops and validates velocity measurement systems (e.g., PIV, acoustic, optical) and integrate telemetry (LTE, cellular, satellite, radio) into remote platforms. Optimizes systems for rugged, low-power field deployment. Creates and refines digital signal processing (DSP) algorithms, including filtering, Doppler mitigation, and multipath correction. Builds automated data pipelines (MATLAB, Python, Rust) with QA/QC and real-time validation tools. Integrate sensor outputs with hydrodynamic/hydraulic models and support simulation and HPC workflows. Assists with laboratory and field testing, remote logging, troubleshooting, and technical reporting. Contributes to publications, presentations, cross-disciplinary research, and mentor undergraduate assistants.

Additional Department Summary: This position is located at the U.S. Geological Survey – Hydrologic Instrumentation Facility (HIF), 27 Kirkbride Lane Tuscaloosa, AL 35401.

The Hydrologic Instrumentation Facility (HIF) is a national center within the U.S. Geological Survey dedicated to hydrologic instrumentation, water science innovation, and training. The facility develops, tests, calibrates, and supplies hydrologic equipment nationwide and provides technical training to water-science professionals. Students working at the HIF gain real-world exposure to national water science operations and federal communications.

While this position does not include formal design training, the HIF provides a highly supportive environment where staff will offer guidance, feedback, project expectations, and assistance as needed. Students will have the opportunity to apply and grow their existing design skills while contributing meaningful work to a national scientific organization.

Required Minimum Qualifications: Current M.S. or Ph.D. student in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or related field at the University of Alabama (or affiliated institution).

Additional Required Department Minimum Qualifications: The physical demands described  are representative of those that must be met by an individual to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these functions.

• Ability to sit, stand, walk, and move throughout laboratory, office, and industrial work areas for extended periods.
• Ability to lift, carry, and move equipment, tools, and materials weighing up to 25–40 pounds on an occasional basis.
• Ability to use hands and fingers for handling small components, operating tools, computers, and laboratory instruments.
• Ability to bend, stoop, kneel, crouch, and reach as required for equipment setup, maintenance, and workspace organization.
• Ability to work safely in laboratory, shop, and field-support environments with exposure to noise, machinery, electrical equipment, and environmental conditions.
• Ability to visually inspect instruments, displays, and detailed technical components.
• Ability to follow all safety procedures and properly use personal protective equipment (PPE) when required

Skills and Knowledge: Interest in water quality, laboratory science, or environmental research. Strong attention to detail and organizational skills. Ability to follow safety protocols and standard operating procedures. Good written and verbal communication skills. Strong written and verbal communication skills. Ability to work independently and as part of a scientific team.
Skills and Knowledge: Strong foundation in circuits, embedded systems, and signal processing. Experience with programming languages such as MATLAB, Python, Rust, or C/C++. Experience with data acquisition systems and laboratory instrumentation. Ability to translate research prototypes into operational-ready systems. Strong technical writing and presentation skills.

Preferred Qualifications: Experience with PCB design and system integration. Familiarity with LTE/cellular, SDR, or radio-based telemetry systems. Experience with DSP algorithm development and multipath mitigation. Exposure to hydraulic modeling tools or environmental data systems. Experience presenting at professional conferences or contributing to publications. Interest in research-to-operations (R2O) translation in water science.

Off-Campus Position Disclaimers: This position is an off-campus employment opportunity. The HR Office of Student Employment makes no particular recommendations regarding off-campus employers and makes no representations or guarantees about positions posted. The HR Office of Student Employment is not responsible for the safety, wages, working conditions, or other aspects of off-campus employment. Applicants are urged to perform due diligence in researching employers when applying for or accepting private, off-campus employment. This position reports to an off-campus employer – U.S. Geological Survey’s Hydrologic Instrumentation Facility. Final candidates may be subject to a thorough background check by employer prior to employment.

Equal Employment Opportunity: The University of Alabama is an Equal Employment/Equal Educational Opportunity Institution. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment or volunteer status without regard to any legally protected basis and will not be discriminated against because of their protected status. Applicants and employees of this institution are protected under Federal law from discrimination on several bases. More information is available in the EEOC’s Know Your Rights: Workplace discrimination is illegal poster.

The University of Alabama affirms its longstanding commitment to institutional neutrality, free speech, and academic freedom.