SDSU Research Foundation · 10 hours ago
Research Scientist I
San Diego, CA
Full-time
Onsite
Entry, Mid Level
$7,000/mo - $7,000/mo
2+ years expSDSU Research Foundation is seeking a Research Scientist I to conduct complex scientific research and scholarship under the guidance of a principal investigator. The role involves advanced material characterization, grant proposal leadership, and lab mentorship, while also ensuring compliance with safety standards and managing laboratory operations.
Higher Education
Responsibilities
Design and execute complex experiments to investigate the mechanical behavior of nontraditional materials (such as polymers, composites, or smart materials), focusing on their response to extreme conditions or high strain rates
Utilize and refine Terahertz (THz) time-domain spectroscopy and imaging techniques to non-destructively evaluate material properties, detect sub-surface defects, and map internal stress distributions
Develop and validate constitutive models that bridge experimental findings with theoretical mechanics, ensuring that empirical lab data accurately inform predictive modeling of complex material systems
Take a primary role in securing research funding by identifying opportunities, performing preliminary feasibility studies, and authoring high-quality grant proposals for agencies such as the DoE, NSF, DoD, or NASA
Oversee the daily operations of the laboratory, including the mentorship of graduate and undergraduate students, while leading the preparation of manuscripts for publication in high-impact peer-reviewed journals
Serve as the primary Point of Contact (POC) for Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) standards, ensuring that all experimental setups, terahertz laser equipment, and chemical handling protocols comply with university and federal safety regulations
Manage the strategic procurement of specialized equipment and consumables, including tracking expenditures against active grant budgets and coordinating with SDSU’s administrative offices for contract renewals and vendor relations
Help with outreach activities and lab tours for potential participants and collaborators
Assist in day-to-day operation in the lab, including education, mentorship, research, and collaboration activities
Help bridging laboratory innovations with industrial partners
Qualification
Required
Doctoral or equivalent degree and a minimum of two (2) years of postdoctoral research
Qualifications generally equivalent to Instructor position in the particular discipline at SDSU
Preferred
Prior experience with terahertz spectroscopy and imaging using fiber lasers and custom optics
Prior experience with thermal, mechanical, dynamic, chemical, and physical properties of nontraditional materials and composites using advanced techniques
Prior experience with laser-induced shock waves in different loading modes, including pressure, shear, and bending, and shock propagation diagnostics using interferometry and velocimetry
Knowledge of revising LabVIEW algorithms for controlling experimental setups using a broad range of electronics, including oscilloscopes, function generators, amplifiers, etc
Knowledge of the mechanics of polymers and composites as a function of a broad range of strain rates and loading conditions
Ability to tackle challenging scientific problems and devise viable solutions
Ability to manage time effectively and meet deadlines defined by the PI and timelines of ongoing and future projects
Company
SDSU Research Foundation
SDSU Research Foundation (SDSURF) is a non-profit auxiliary organization chartered to further the educational, research, and community service objectives of San Diego State University (SDSU).
1001-5000 employees
H1B Sponsorship
SDSU Research Foundation has a track record of offering H1B sponsorships. Please note that this does not
guarantee sponsorship for this specific role. Below presents additional info for your
reference. (Data Powered by US Department of Labor)
Distribution of Different Job Fields Receiving Sponsorship
Represents job field similar to this job
Trends of Total Sponsorships
2025 (7)
2024 (3)
2023 (7)
2022 (1)
2021 (3)
2020 (2)
Funding
Current Stage
Late StageLeadership Team
Leslie Levinson
Chief Financial Officer
April Fox
HR Business Partner
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