Graduate Research Assistant, PhD
Desert Research InstituteAbout the role
Thank you for your interest in employment with the Desert Research Institute. We want your application process to go smoothly and quickly. We ask that you keep in mind the following when completing your application:
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Job Description
The Desert Research Institute (DRI; www.dri.edu) in Reno, Nevada, in partnership with the Graduate Program at the University of Nevada Reno (UNR), are actively recruiting a highly motivated PhD. student to work on a National Science Foundation (NSF)-funded research project in the areas of light scattering, aerosol optical property characterization, and advanced instrumentation development. The selected candidate will join a dynamic interdisciplinary team based at the Desert Research Institute (DRI) in Reno, Nevada, and will be formally enrolled in the Department of Physics, an Engineering Department, or any other Department at the University of Nevada, Reno (UNR).
Research Focus
The project will involve experimental (mostly) and theoretical and computational work with a focus on:
Aerosol optical characterization using advanced angularly resolved light scattering measurements using static, dynamic, and holography-based systems.
Development and enhancement of aerosol optical instrumentation, including multi-wavelength nephelometers, PM monitoring sensors, and lidar-based remote sensing tools.
Laboratory generation and optical characterization of bioaerosols (e.g., pollen, spores), mineral dust aerosols, and other particles relevant to defense system and atmospheric optics.
Data acquisition, signal processing, and integration with real-time particle sizing instruments.
Requirements
A bachelor’s degree in physics, computer engineering, or a closely related discipline is required.
To be eligible for an assistantship, students must be admitted to the Department of Physics, an Engineering Department, or any other Department at the University of Nevada, Reno. The student must have an overall GPA of at least 3.0 and must be continuously enrolled in at least 6 graduate level credits throughout the duration of the assistantship.
Demonstrate experience is desired in: Hands-on experience with laser-based experiments, optical instrumentation, and aerosol sampling systems is considered a plus. Electronic systems, signal acquisition, microcontrollers (e.g., Arduino, Raspberry Pi), circuit design, and optical sensor integration. Programming (e.g., Python, LabVIEW, MATLAB).
Preferred Qualifications
A master’s degree in related field.
Start Date
Flexible; the student may begin research activities at DRI and receive funding as soon as UNR admission is confirmed. Both current and prospective students are encouraged to apply.
Compensation/Benefits
DRI offers a competitive support package, which includes a half-time (50% FTE) minimum monthly salary of $2250 for PhD students during the academi
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