Research Associate

The Department of Mechanical Engineering at Southern University and A&M College invites applications for a Research Associate to support the development of the new Metal Additive Manufacturing (AM) Laboratory.

About the Metal AM Laboratory

The Metal AM Lab is being established as a state-of-the-art research and training facility, equipped with three cutting-edge 3D printing platforms : a multi-material laser powder bed fusion (MM-LPBF) system, a laser powder directed energy deposition (LP-DED) system, and a wire-laser DED system. To achieve high-precision test geometries, the lab also includes a wire electrical discharge machining (wire EDM) system for post-processing. This facility will serve as a regional hub for research, workforce training, and STEM outreach in advanced manufacturing.

Responsibilities

The Research Associate will :

• Operate and maintain metal AM systems (MM-LPBF, LP-DED, and wire-laser DED) and perform basic post-processing (e.g., wire EDM).
• Oversee daily lab safety compliance, scheduling, and vendor communications for maintenance or repair.
• Supervise and train undergraduate / graduate students on equipment use and research protocols.
• Coordinate project tasks, sample fabrication schedules, and communication with faculty investigators.
• Lead outreach demonstrations and workshops to introduce metal AM technologies to local high-school teachers and students.
• Contribute to research execution, data analysis, and reporting.
• Co-author publications, conference presentations, and proposals, with opportunities to lead proposal development.

Qualifications

Required

Preferred Qualifications

Per Southern University HR policies and eligibility, this position offers :

Southern University and A&M College is an equal opportunity employer.

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