Electronics Engineer

Job Description

Special Instructions to Applicants: All interested applicants must attach a cover letter and a resume in the Supporting Documents section of the application in a PDF format. Please note that the applicant tracking system does not convert attachments in Word format successfully. Full consideration is given to applications received by Oct 1, 2022, but the position will remain open until filled. Inquiries may be addressed to Prof. Wei Li (wl33@rice.edu).

Position Summary

The T.W. Bonner Laboratory invites applications for electronics engineers to join our efforts on the Compact Muon Solenoid (CMS) experiment at the Large Hadron Collider (LHC). The Rice group (Acosta, Ecklund, Geurts, Li, Padley) is playing key roles in designing and constructing electronic systems of several upgrade projects of the CMS experiment for the high-luminosity LHC, including the forward pixel tracker, endcap timing layer (ETL), and muon trigger system.

The candidate is expected to have excellent skills in one (or more) of the following areas: analog circuit design; FPGA logic design and programming, data acquisition, high-level programming (such as C++ and python), schematic capture and PCB layout. Experience in large particle physics experiments is preferred. The successful candidate will collaborate closely with other physicists and engineers at Rice University and at other institutions and will participate and help represent Rice in all activities related to these projects including project reviews and system tests.

Experience and Education Requirements

• Bachelor's degree (or equivalent) in physics or electrical engineering at the time of appointment
• Five years of related experience (e.g. experience as an engineer)
  • In lieu of the experience requirement, additional related education, above and beyond what is required, on an equivalent year for year basis may be substituted
• Knowledgeable in analog circuit design, schematic capture and PCB layout
• Knowledgeable in an electronics firmware language (preferably Verilog or VHDL)
• General software development experience (C++ and python), as is familiarity with trigger and data acquisition systems
• Experience with aspects of digital electronics hardware design, board production, and testing, as future experimental physics projects are expected to arise in these areas

Essential Functions

• Prepares and maintains the current electronics and firmware for CMS data-taking operations
• Development of new analog electronics for upgrades of the detectors to exploit the improvements planned for the high-luminosity phase of the LHC
• Development of firmware for upgrades of the detectors and electronics to exploit the improvements planned for the high-luminosity phase of the LHC
• Additional opportunities to participate in the development, production, and testing of electronics for the upgrade exist

Skills Required

• • Proficient and comprehensive knowledge of information management, knowledge management and publication management
  • Possess a logical and independent mind
  • Good interpersonal skills such as patience, determination, flexibility, and decisiveness
  • Excellent listening, verbal and written communication, analytical, and research skills
  • Excellent scientific and numerical skills with meticulous attention to details and accuracy
  • Ability to work in a team environment, to participate actively, to collaborate and to motivate others in the lab
  • Able to learn new tools and software and skills to adapt to existing in-house software standards

Preferences

• Experience with high-speed optical links
• Experience working in an institution of higher education

Rice University is an Equal Opportunity Employer with commitment to diversity at all levels, and considers for employment qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, genetic information, disability or protected veteran status.

Current Rice University COVID policies, which include vaccination, face mask, testing, gatherings, occupancy limits, and travel policies can be found here: https://coronavirus.rice.edu/policies