UNC Charlotte is a public university with over 29,600 students in 75 Bachelor, 65 Masters, and 24 Doctoral programs. The campus is located in the suburbs of one of the fastest-growing U.S. cities and adjacent to a large research park. UNC Charlotte maintains a particular commitment to addressing the cultural, economic, educational, environmental, health, and social needs of the greater Charlotte region. The William States Lee College of Engineering, located on the Charlotte Research Institute Campus, has paired with the Energy Production Infrastructure Center (EPIC), to create programs, courses, and energy concentrations within multiple departments that enhance technical skills and engineering. The College of Engineering has over 3,000 students.
EPIC is a university-industry partnership that meets the education and research needs for a safe, reliable, and sustainable energy future. EPIC enhances the available technical workforce, advances technology, and facilitates strategic industry-university collaboration for the global energy industry while supporting the Carolinas' economic and energy security development. EPIC is well funded in terms of facilities, faculty, chaired positions, operations, energy-focused laboratories, student scholarships, educational and research programs in the order of $100M. EPIC's main sponsors are the North Carolina State Government, Duke Energy, Siemens, Framatome, Westinghouse, URS, and others.
Current Positions At EPIC
Research Specialist
The main purpose of the Research Specialist is to support the research and instructional laboratory operations by assisting in projects and research, providing fabrication of specialized equipment to satisfy specific research and instructional needs. In addition, the position confers with research personnel to recommend procedures used in the development of experimental research equipment, and assists in the preparation of plans and specifications for such equipment and experimentation. The position monitors the EPIC (Energy Production and Infrastructure Center) High bay and service yard, totaling 34,000 sq. ft. and operates and maintains all heavy equipment with the High bay (like telescopic handler, fork lifter, overhead cranes, etc.) Also, the position manages the structures and transportation lab spaces in CEE (Civil and Environmental Engineering).
A. Manages laboratory resources, may include budget and personnel; establishes priorities in the use of resources including space, field, equipment and/or facilities. Manages quality assurance program.
• Manages and monitors the EPIC High bay (8,000 sq. ft.) and the EPIC Yard (26,000 sq. ft.) and all associated equipment.
• Researches, initiates/suggests lab improvements, equipment procurement and laboratory supplies.
• Maintain supply and equipment inventory. Calibrates electronic instruments according to prescribed instructions.
• Manage the structures and transportation and lab spaces in CEE as directed by position supervisor.
B. Proposes alternative research methods, techniques and initiatives demonstrating knowledge of other scientific areas and related research. Knowledge and ability to independently adapt work process and methods based on findings and literature review; may contribute new knowledge and/or techniques.
• Reads shop drawings and makes components which will be used in the High Bay. Review the engineering description on the drawings and suggest any modification to the designer if there are any technical flaws
• Experience in steel welding with tic, arc, stick welding plasma cutting, steel erection.
• Experience drilling, operating telescopic handler and fork lifter and on wood with table saw, router, etc.
• Calibrates, performs preventative maintenance, troubleshoots, and repairs electronic devises or systems made up of several interconnected devices where this interconnection complicates troubleshooting and repair procedures.
• All welding and carpentry experience are a plus.
C. Expands scope of literature search to support and/or propose alternative experimental methods, procedures and/or techniques. Collaborates with others to plan and design data collection, technology and analysis. Modifies and adjusts resources needed to conduct experiments.
• Designs and fabricates apparatus to perform novel functions. Designs and constructs specialized one-of-a-kind devices used in research and testing.
• Performs machining and fabricating operations using various machines and hand tools to produce mechanical parts and subassemblies requiring mechanical skill, working from oral instructions, sketches, and/or detailed mechanical.
• Operates standard and specialized electronics testing devices and evaluate sand installs electronics devices and systems, researching electronic literature to lay out electronics circuitry as required to modify, build, or interface electronics devices.
• Assists faculty and graduate students in calibrating equipment and analyzing performance data.
• Constructs or modifies mechanical equipment and apparatus used for research based on oral instruction, manufacturers documentation, sketches, and detailed drawings.
D. Trains others in the performance of complex tests and procedures and the proper use and care of specialized equipment. Documents experimental processes and results in reports and/or publications.
• Train and assist faculty, staff, and students on technical problems encountered with apparatus used for scheduled lab experiments.
• Assists faculty and graduate students in calibrating equipment and analyzing performance data. Uses various calipers and micrometers to establish and maintain required tolerances. Assists students and faculty if necessary in the fabrication and assembly of such equipment
• Confers with faculty to determine the purpose of needed devices and any operating parameters.
• Develops documentation in the form of schematic diagrams, wiring diagrams, and repair manuals.
• Fulfil special request from the executive staff of EPIC main office, (i.e., special deliveries, events, etc.)
• General Safety and policy enforcement for EPIC High bay and yard.
• Reports any safety or procedural violations by lab users once identified.
• Ensures students have tools and knowledge to comply with research protocols and regulatory requirements.
E. Defines standards for the collection of data; sets standards for accuracy, validity and integrity; leads others in analysis. Evaluates documentation of results; leads efforts to modify and adapt research methodologies in collaboration with others; ensures compliance with regulatory standards. Adapts experimental design based upon interpretation of data and/or literature review, in collaboration with others. Co- authors/authors manuscripts and publications; serves as primary presenter within department and/or at professional conferences.
• Determines workflow through the labs and scheduling work load and new projects after conferring with Laboratory manager concerning unusual priority requests.
• Provides suggestions for improvements to existing equipment and facilities.
• Assists technical research personnel in developing plans and specifications for experimental equipment.
• Confers with research personnel and recommends research practices and procedures to be used in the mechanical development of experimental research equipment and assists in preparing plans and specifications for such equipment and experimentation.
• Reads and interprets schematics and diagrams and determines configurations and functions in the absence of diagrams.
• Assist in developing documentation in the form of schematic diagrams, wiring diagrams, and repair manuals using fragmented or non-existent information.
• Modifies existing circuitry to improve performance or effect output or layout circuitry to provide for special functions such as the interfacing of individual devices into systems
• Assists faculty and graduate students in calibrating equipment and analyzing performance data.
• Expands scope of literature search to support and/or propose alternative experimental methods, procedures and/or techniques.
F. Analyzes and resolves variations in complex tests, experiments and procedures; designs and implements modifications and changes to techniques, procedures and quality control measures. Leads multiple, concurrent projects and/or multi-faceted projects; directs others in making modifications.
• Possess knowledge and ability to independently adapt work process and methods based on findings and literature review; may contribute new knowledge and/or techniques.
• Arranges and assigns work for multiple research objectives.
• Maintains inventory of replacement parts.
• Proposes alternative research methods, techniques and initiatives demonstrating knowledge of other scientific areas and related research.
• Maintains inventory of replacement parts.
• Recommends the purchase of additional equipment or replacement of equipment.
• Assists faculty in grant writing by providing assessments of laboratory needs in order to carry out the research project.
Apply here: https://jobs.charlotte.edu/postings/43474