What are the responsibilities and job description for the Lab and Research Specialist position at Virginia Tech?
Job Description
This is a research staff position in the Sled Lab within the Center for Injury Biomechanics. The Sled Lab conducts research on the human tolerance to impact and injury with a focus on automotive safety and military applications.
Position responsibilities include preparation, completion, and tear-down of experiments as well as participation in daily laboratory maintenance. Detailed responsibilities comprise preparation of human tissues for impact biomechanics and material testing. This includes whole body testing focusing on skeletal components as well as preparation of skeletal and soft-tissue components for structural and material testing. This also includes assisting with autopsy procedures. Additionally, staff will assist with the planning and execution impact/injury biomechanics testing involving postmortem human surrogate (PMHS), ATDs, and human volunteers. Specifically, this involves the set up and performance of tests using a crash sled, impactors and pendulums, restraint systems, highspeed biplane xray, tissue testers, drop towers, material testing machines, blast bucks, transducers, data acquisition equipment, highspeed video cameras, and motion capture equipment. This includes assisting with posttest and between test activities such as transducer maintenance and procurement, design and fabrication of testing fixtures and parts. Other daily responsibilities include management of machine and electronics shop areas, management of specimen preparation and storage laboratories, tracking inventory, ordering supplies, and maintaining general laboratory spaces. Staff will work collaboratively with a team of researchers, taking direction from and reporting findings to the principal investigator and working side by side with graduate and undergraduate students.
Must be able to travel.
Due to the restrictions from the funding agencies, US Citizenship status is required. Excludes Permanent Residents.
Required Qualifications
4
Overtime Status
Non-Exempt: Eligible for overtime
Appointment Type
Restricted
Salary Information
Commensurate with Experience, starting salary is $44,000
Hours per week
40
Review Date
04/10/2025
Additional Information
The successful candidate will be required to have a criminal conviction check.
About Virginia Tech
Dedicated to its motto, Ut Prosim (That I May Serve), Virginia Tech pushes the boundaries of knowledge by taking a hands-on, transdisciplinary approach to preparing scholars to be leaders and problem-solvers. A comprehensive land-grant institution that enhances the quality of life in Virginia and throughout the world, Virginia Tech is an inclusive community dedicated to knowledge, discovery, and creativity. The university offers more than 280 majors to a diverse enrollment of more than 36,000 undergraduate, graduate, and professional students in eight undergraduate colleges , a school of medicine , a veterinary medicine college, Graduate School , and Honors College . The university has a significant presence across Virginia, including the Innovation Campus in Northern Virginia; the Health Sciences and Technology Campus in Roanoke; sites in Newport News and Richmond; and numerous Extension offices and research centers . A leading global research institution, Virginia Tech conducts more than $500 million in research annually.
Virginia Tech endorses and encourages participation in professional development opportunities and university shared governance . These valuable contributions to university shared governance provide important representation and perspective, along with opportunities for unique and impactful professional development.
Virginia Tech does not discriminate against employees, students, or applicants on the basis of age, color, disability, sex (including pregnancy), gender, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information, ethnicity or national origin, political affiliation, race, religion, sexual orientation, or military status, or otherwise discriminate against employees or applicants who inquire about, discuss, or disclose their compensation or the compensation of other employees or applicants, or on any other basis protected by law.
If you are an individual with a disability and desire an accommodation, please contact Natalie Jett at njett@vtti.vt.edu during regular business hours at least 10 business days prior to the event.
This is a research staff position in the Sled Lab within the Center for Injury Biomechanics. The Sled Lab conducts research on the human tolerance to impact and injury with a focus on automotive safety and military applications.
Position responsibilities include preparation, completion, and tear-down of experiments as well as participation in daily laboratory maintenance. Detailed responsibilities comprise preparation of human tissues for impact biomechanics and material testing. This includes whole body testing focusing on skeletal components as well as preparation of skeletal and soft-tissue components for structural and material testing. This also includes assisting with autopsy procedures. Additionally, staff will assist with the planning and execution impact/injury biomechanics testing involving postmortem human surrogate (PMHS), ATDs, and human volunteers. Specifically, this involves the set up and performance of tests using a crash sled, impactors and pendulums, restraint systems, highspeed biplane xray, tissue testers, drop towers, material testing machines, blast bucks, transducers, data acquisition equipment, highspeed video cameras, and motion capture equipment. This includes assisting with posttest and between test activities such as transducer maintenance and procurement, design and fabrication of testing fixtures and parts. Other daily responsibilities include management of machine and electronics shop areas, management of specimen preparation and storage laboratories, tracking inventory, ordering supplies, and maintaining general laboratory spaces. Staff will work collaboratively with a team of researchers, taking direction from and reporting findings to the principal investigator and working side by side with graduate and undergraduate students.
Must be able to travel.
Due to the restrictions from the funding agencies, US Citizenship status is required. Excludes Permanent Residents.
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in biomedical engineering, mechanical engineering, or related area, or significant combination of related experience, education, and training.
- Must have strong organization skills and be willing to work both independently and as part of a team.
- Must have a background in either biomechanics, mechanics, anatomy/physiology, mechanical design, electronics/sensors, and/or machining.
- Valid Driver's license
- Due to the restrictions from the funding agencies, US Citizenship status is required. Excludes Permanent Residents.
- Experience using crash test sensor and data acquisition techniques (specifically DTS equipment), material testing devices, motion capture systems, and cameras.
- Experience with PMHS preparation and testing, and use of ATDs.
- Experience with material testing
- Experience in CNC machining, welding, soldering, CAD design, and design and implementation of electromechanical systems is highly desired.
4
Overtime Status
Non-Exempt: Eligible for overtime
Appointment Type
Restricted
Salary Information
Commensurate with Experience, starting salary is $44,000
Hours per week
40
Review Date
04/10/2025
Additional Information
The successful candidate will be required to have a criminal conviction check.
About Virginia Tech
Dedicated to its motto, Ut Prosim (That I May Serve), Virginia Tech pushes the boundaries of knowledge by taking a hands-on, transdisciplinary approach to preparing scholars to be leaders and problem-solvers. A comprehensive land-grant institution that enhances the quality of life in Virginia and throughout the world, Virginia Tech is an inclusive community dedicated to knowledge, discovery, and creativity. The university offers more than 280 majors to a diverse enrollment of more than 36,000 undergraduate, graduate, and professional students in eight undergraduate colleges , a school of medicine , a veterinary medicine college, Graduate School , and Honors College . The university has a significant presence across Virginia, including the Innovation Campus in Northern Virginia; the Health Sciences and Technology Campus in Roanoke; sites in Newport News and Richmond; and numerous Extension offices and research centers . A leading global research institution, Virginia Tech conducts more than $500 million in research annually.
Virginia Tech endorses and encourages participation in professional development opportunities and university shared governance . These valuable contributions to university shared governance provide important representation and perspective, along with opportunities for unique and impactful professional development.
Virginia Tech does not discriminate against employees, students, or applicants on the basis of age, color, disability, sex (including pregnancy), gender, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information, ethnicity or national origin, political affiliation, race, religion, sexual orientation, or military status, or otherwise discriminate against employees or applicants who inquire about, discuss, or disclose their compensation or the compensation of other employees or applicants, or on any other basis protected by law.
If you are an individual with a disability and desire an accommodation, please contact Natalie Jett at njett@vtti.vt.edu during regular business hours at least 10 business days prior to the event.
Salary : $44,000
