What are the responsibilities and job description for the Research Associate position at Inside Higher Ed?
Logo:
Posting Number:
RTF00109PO26
USC Market Title:
Research Associate
Link To USC Market Title:
https://uscjobs.sc.edu/titles/156386
Business Title (Internal Title):
Research Associate
Campus:
Columbia
Work County:
Richland
College/Division:
College of Engineering and Computing
Department:
CEC Mechanical Engineering
Anticipated Hiring Range:
$52,526 - $75,000
Part/Full Time:
Full Time
Hours Per Week:
40
Work Schedule:
Staff Research Grant (SRGP)
Basis :
12 months
Job Search Category:
Other Professional
About University Of South Carolina:
From the Upstate to the Lowcountry, the University of South Carolina system is transforming the lives of South Carolinians through the impact of our eight institutions and 20 locations throughout the state. More than 50,000 students are enrolled at one of eight institutions, including the research campus in Columbia and comprehensive four-year universities in Aiken, Upstate and Beaufort. In addition, our Palmetto College campuses in Salkehatchie, Union, Lancaster and Sumter enable students to earn associate or bachelor’s degrees through a combination of in-person, online or blended learning. All of our system institutions place strong emphasis on service — helping to build healthier, more educated communities in South Carolina and beyond.
South Carolina Retirement:
Yes
State Insurance Programs:
Yes
Annual Leave:
Yes
Sick Leave:
Yes
Advertised Job Summary:
A research associate will investigate and develop autonomous systems, such as unmanned surface vessels. Design and develop sensors (camera and lidar), guidance, navigation, and control systems onboard unmanned surface vessels (USVs). Implement guidance, navigation, and control algorithms for autonomous vehicle operation in the littoral environment. Maintain and operate the USVs in littoral environments to acquire measurements required to meet research goals. Analyze data acquired using MATLAB or other programming languages. Documenting technical results and presenting the results in project meetings and conferences. Assistance in proposal preparations, journal article preparation, and supervising undergraduate and graduate students.
Job Related Minimum Required Education And Experience:
Design and develop autonomous systems for unmanned surface vessels. This includes perception systems (camera, Lidar, radar, and INS) and guidance, navigation, and control systems, implemented using ROS or directly in Python, MATLAB, or C . A reliable collection of testing data is required from the autonomous system. Perform simulation of autonomous surface vessels in the maritime environment
Essential Function:
Yes
Percentage Of Time:
40
Job Duty:
Process and analyze collected data and sensor readings from the littoral environment using MATLAB or other computer languages. Identify and develop computer vision methods or other relevant approaches to process environmental data for situational awareness, such as ocean currents, wave states, and other variables. Identify and develop algorithms to analyze the data for autonomous vehicle navigation and control.
Percentage Of Time:
30
Job Duty:
Create technical documentation of project results. Contribute to the monthly report required by the project sponsor. Prepare slides, videos, and demos for the quarterly project reviews. Present the research outcomes in internal meetings and conferences and to sponsors.
Percentage Of Time:
20
Job Duty:
Oversee students in using the sensor system and simulation of the autonomous systems. Guide students in troubleshooting the sensors and program (e.g., SDK) and simulation. Assist in instructing the students in autonomous surface vessel deployment and data acquisition in the littoral environment.
Percentage Of Time:
10
Hazardous Weather Category:
Non-Essential
Employees In Safety-Sensitive Or Security-Sensitive Positions Will Be Subject To Pre-employment And Post-employment Drug Testing In Accordance With University Policy HR 1.95 Drug And Alcohol Testing.:
No
Number Of Vacancies:
1
Desired Start Date:
08/16/2026
Position End Date :
08/15/2027
Job Open Date:
05/18/2026
Job Close Date:
07/16/2026
Open Until Filled:
No
Special Instructions To Applicant:
Applicants must provide a copy of their C.V and a list of at least 3 contacts/references
Positions are advertised for a minimum of five (5) business days on our job website. After five (5) business days, positions can be closed at the discretion of the department at any time. This employment site is updated on a regular basis. The length of the recruitment and screening process may vary from position to position, depending upon a variety of factors. Should review of your qualifications result in a decision to pursue your candidacy, you will be contacted by phone or email. We are only accepting applications submitted by July 16, 2026.
Quicklink For Posting:
https://uscjobs.sc.edu/postings/206508
EEO Statement:
The University of South Carolina does not discriminate in educational or employment opportunities or decisions for qualified persons on the basis of age, ancestry, citizenship status, color, disability, ethnicity, familial status, gender (including transgender), gender identity or expression, genetic information, HIV/AIDs status, military status, national origin, pregnancy (false pregnancy, termination of pregnancy, childbirth, recovery therefrom or related medical conditions, breastfeeding), race, religion (including religious dress and grooming practices), sex, sexual orientation, veteran status, or any other bases under federal, state, local law, or regulations.
Posting Number:
RTF00109PO26
USC Market Title:
Research Associate
Link To USC Market Title:
https://uscjobs.sc.edu/titles/156386
Business Title (Internal Title):
Research Associate
Campus:
Columbia
Work County:
Richland
College/Division:
College of Engineering and Computing
Department:
CEC Mechanical Engineering
Anticipated Hiring Range:
$52,526 - $75,000
Part/Full Time:
Full Time
Hours Per Week:
40
Work Schedule:
- Monday – Friday 8:30 am – 5:00 pm
- Schedule may change to meet the needs of the college
Staff Research Grant (SRGP)
Basis :
12 months
Job Search Category:
Other Professional
About University Of South Carolina:
From the Upstate to the Lowcountry, the University of South Carolina system is transforming the lives of South Carolinians through the impact of our eight institutions and 20 locations throughout the state. More than 50,000 students are enrolled at one of eight institutions, including the research campus in Columbia and comprehensive four-year universities in Aiken, Upstate and Beaufort. In addition, our Palmetto College campuses in Salkehatchie, Union, Lancaster and Sumter enable students to earn associate or bachelor’s degrees through a combination of in-person, online or blended learning. All of our system institutions place strong emphasis on service — helping to build healthier, more educated communities in South Carolina and beyond.
South Carolina Retirement:
Yes
State Insurance Programs:
Yes
Annual Leave:
Yes
Sick Leave:
Yes
Advertised Job Summary:
A research associate will investigate and develop autonomous systems, such as unmanned surface vessels. Design and develop sensors (camera and lidar), guidance, navigation, and control systems onboard unmanned surface vessels (USVs). Implement guidance, navigation, and control algorithms for autonomous vehicle operation in the littoral environment. Maintain and operate the USVs in littoral environments to acquire measurements required to meet research goals. Analyze data acquired using MATLAB or other programming languages. Documenting technical results and presenting the results in project meetings and conferences. Assistance in proposal preparations, journal article preparation, and supervising undergraduate and graduate students.
Job Related Minimum Required Education And Experience:
- Requires a master’s degree in area of research specialty.
- Ph.D. in Engineering, Physical Sciences, or related field, OR a Master’s degree in a relevant engineering field of study with more than 3 years of experience.
- MATLAB and Python programming.
- C , Hardware, and software experience in developing autonomous systems.
Design and develop autonomous systems for unmanned surface vessels. This includes perception systems (camera, Lidar, radar, and INS) and guidance, navigation, and control systems, implemented using ROS or directly in Python, MATLAB, or C . A reliable collection of testing data is required from the autonomous system. Perform simulation of autonomous surface vessels in the maritime environment
Essential Function:
Yes
Percentage Of Time:
40
Job Duty:
Process and analyze collected data and sensor readings from the littoral environment using MATLAB or other computer languages. Identify and develop computer vision methods or other relevant approaches to process environmental data for situational awareness, such as ocean currents, wave states, and other variables. Identify and develop algorithms to analyze the data for autonomous vehicle navigation and control.
Percentage Of Time:
30
Job Duty:
Create technical documentation of project results. Contribute to the monthly report required by the project sponsor. Prepare slides, videos, and demos for the quarterly project reviews. Present the research outcomes in internal meetings and conferences and to sponsors.
Percentage Of Time:
20
Job Duty:
Oversee students in using the sensor system and simulation of the autonomous systems. Guide students in troubleshooting the sensors and program (e.g., SDK) and simulation. Assist in instructing the students in autonomous surface vessel deployment and data acquisition in the littoral environment.
Percentage Of Time:
10
Hazardous Weather Category:
Non-Essential
Employees In Safety-Sensitive Or Security-Sensitive Positions Will Be Subject To Pre-employment And Post-employment Drug Testing In Accordance With University Policy HR 1.95 Drug And Alcohol Testing.:
No
Number Of Vacancies:
1
Desired Start Date:
08/16/2026
Position End Date :
08/15/2027
Job Open Date:
05/18/2026
Job Close Date:
07/16/2026
Open Until Filled:
No
Special Instructions To Applicant:
Applicants must provide a copy of their C.V and a list of at least 3 contacts/references
Positions are advertised for a minimum of five (5) business days on our job website. After five (5) business days, positions can be closed at the discretion of the department at any time. This employment site is updated on a regular basis. The length of the recruitment and screening process may vary from position to position, depending upon a variety of factors. Should review of your qualifications result in a decision to pursue your candidacy, you will be contacted by phone or email. We are only accepting applications submitted by July 16, 2026.
Quicklink For Posting:
https://uscjobs.sc.edu/postings/206508
EEO Statement:
The University of South Carolina does not discriminate in educational or employment opportunities or decisions for qualified persons on the basis of age, ancestry, citizenship status, color, disability, ethnicity, familial status, gender (including transgender), gender identity or expression, genetic information, HIV/AIDs status, military status, national origin, pregnancy (false pregnancy, termination of pregnancy, childbirth, recovery therefrom or related medical conditions, breastfeeding), race, religion (including religious dress and grooming practices), sex, sexual orientation, veteran status, or any other bases under federal, state, local law, or regulations.
Salary : $52,526 - $75,000