Research Support Associate 2

Information on MIT’s COVID-19 vaccination requirement can be found at the bottom of this posting.

RESEARCH SUPPORT ASSOCIATE 2, MIT Kavli Institute for Astrophysics and Space Research (MKI), to work with engineering and technical teams on the assembly and alignment of custom-designed precision optics and optomechanical instruments and components. Responsibilities will include working on the construction, integration, and testing of a fiber-optic based hyperspectral imager “LLAMAS” for the 6.5-meter Magellan Telescopes, sited in the Chilean Andes; integrating complex assemblies based on CAD models and engineering drawings and creating BOMs; handling sensitive optical and electronic components requiring clean or ESD-safe practices; optical and mechanical metrology using interferometers and coordinating measuring machines and flow meters; devising workflows and writing procedures and documentation; coordinating with design engineers and local machine shops to manage fabrication of custom parts and assemblies and procuring off-the-shelf components; participating in the disassembly, packaging, and shipment of finished hardware to the remote observatory location; and performing other duties as needed.

Job Requirements

REQUIRED: high school diploma or its equivalent; experience and comfort with machine tools, mechanical assembly and testing, and shared shop space; experience in a research lab; knowledge of general laboratory practices and procedures; and the ability to perform fine manipulations guided by feedback telemetry from instrumentation. PREFERRED: bachelor’s degree; experience with high-precision instrumentation, machining, tooling, or assembly; experience with assembling electrical cables, soldering, surface mounting for electronics, and assembly of fluid coupling systems. While experience with some duties is helpful, other tasks will be new to many candidates and on-site training will be provided. Job #22776-4

Assembly of all hardware will take place in person on the MIT campus in Cambridge, MA. There is potential to travel to Chile for on-site reassembly and on-sky commissioning (the latter of which is expected in December 2023) based on performance.

Work on the LLAMAS program will end after instrument commissioning, however MKI may offer future opportunities for candidates depending upon performance. These include participation in assembly of spaceflight components for sounding rockets, small satellites or Explorer NASA missions, and other ground-based instrumentation and technology development projects.

Applicants must provide a CV/resume and are encouraged to enclose a cover letter (maximum one page) and a work portfolio (maximum ten pages). The latter could be a slide deck of a presentation, including visual materials with light descriptions illustrating skills, past projects, and work experiences with a focus on your individual contributions to those. Please combine these documents into a single PDF file and upload it during your application process.

U.S. citizenship or permanent residency required.

Pay Range: $21-$25/hr with the final determination dependent on experience and qualifications.