New

Senior Research Engineer

University of Georgia

retirement plan

United States, Georgia, Athens

Jan 09, 2026

Posting Details

Posting Number	S14575P
Working Title	Senior Research Engineer
Department	Franklin-Biochemistry
About the University of Georgia	Chartered by the state of Georgia in 1785, the University of Georgia is the birthplace of public higher education in America and is the state's flagship university (https://www.uga.edu/). The proof is in our more than 240 years of academic and professional achievements and our continual commitment to higher education. UGA is currently ranked among the top 20 public universities in U.S. News & World Report. The University's main campus is located in Athens, approximately 65 miles northeast of Atlanta, with extended campuses in Atlanta, Griffin, Gwinnett, and Tifton. UGA employs approximately 3,100 faculty and more than 7,700 full-time staff. The University's enrollment exceeds 41,000 students including over 31,000 undergraduates and over 10,000 graduate and professional students. Academic programs reside in 19 schools and colleges, including our newly established School of Medicine.
About the College/Unit/Department	Franklin College of Arts and Sciences is the heart of the University of Georgia's learning environment, advancing new knowledge, research, scholarship and creative output by faculty, students, and staff in more than 80-degree programs across 40+ units.
College/Unit/Department website	https://www.bmb.uga.edu
Posting Type	External
Retirement Plan	TRS or ORP
Employment Type	Employee
Benefits Eligibility	Benefits Eligible
Full/Part time	Full Time
Work Schedule
Additional Schedule Information	M-F; 8am-5pm; Evening or weekend work may be required
Advertised Salary	Commensurate with experience
Posting Date	01/08/2026
Open until filled	Yes
Closing Date
Proposed Starting Date	04/01/2026
Special Instructions to Applicants
Location of Vacancy	Athens Area
EEO Policy Statement	The University of Georgia is an Equal Opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, color, disability, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex, or veteran status or other protected status. Persons needing accommodations or assistance with the accessibility of materials related to this search are encouraged to contact Central HR ( hrweb@uga.edu).
USG Core Values Statement	The University System of Georgia is comprised of our 26 institutions of higher education and learning, as well as the System Office. Our USG Statement of Core Values are Integrity, Excellence, Accountability, and Respect. These values serve as the foundation for all that we do as an organization, and each USG community member is responsible for demonstrating and upholding these standards. More details on the USG Statement of Core Values and Code of Conduct are available in USG Board Policy 8.2.18.1.2 and can be found online at https://www.usg.edu/policymanual/section8/C224/#p8.2.18_personnel_conduct. Additionally, USG supports Freedom of Expression as stated in Board Policy 6.5 Freedom of Expression and Academic Freedom found online at https://www.usg.edu/policymanual/section6/C2653.

Position Information

Classification Title	Res Engineer-Photonics II
FLSA	Exempt
FTE	1.00
Minimum Qualifications	Bachelor's degree in a related field or equivalent and 2 years of professional experience
Preferred Qualifications
Position Summary	This position is an advanced professional work position in the fields of structural biology and X-ray optical engineering. Work involves research, development, planning, organizing, evaluating and directing programs and projects in a Synchrotron Research Facility. An employee allocated to this class of work research, develops, and evaluates design criteria, methods, processes, instrumentation, computer programs and systems, and related equipment for beamline operations at a Synchrotron Facility. This position may assist with supervising the work of other subordinate beamline personnel. Methods of fulfilling responsibilities are usually at the discretion of the employee. Work is carried out under the general direction of an administrative superior and is reviewed through observation of the results. The SER- CAT beamline engineer position is a critical component of the highly skilled staffing matrix of the SER- CAT operations team that is required to maintain and improve SER- CAT as a state-of-art Research Resource. The SER- CAT beamline engineer will be required to work as part of the operations development team with the SER- CAT operation manager and controls scientists. The applicant will work independently on highly complex design and integration tasks in all areas of the defined beamline systems and be able to supervise the SER- CAT Research Engineer and support staff in the regular maintenance, trouble shooting and repair of components in all defined beamline systems.
Knowledge, Skills, Abilities and/or Competencies	Strong working knowledge of the following: Synchrotron beamline components such as monochromators and sample goniometers Common drawing package such as Auto-CAD or similar Cryogenic systems. Vacuum technology Servo and stepper motors and their requisite amplifiers and drivers Control hardware for motion control such as delta-tau and galil motion controllers Experience with experiment automation. Experience with beamline operations
Physical Demands	Normal working conditions in an office and laboratory environment. Ability to lift the weight of a shipping Dewar (~40-50 lbs.) and other shipments items of similar poundage.
Is driving a responsibility of this position?	No
Is this a Position of Trust?	Yes
Does this position have operation, access, or control of financial resources?	No
Does this position require a P-Card?	No
Is having a P-Card an essential function of this position?	No
Does this position have direct interaction or care of children under the age of 18 or direct patient care?	No
Does this position have Security Access (e.g., public safety, IT security, personnel records, patient records, or access to chemicals and medications)	Yes
Credit and P-Card policy	Be advised a credit check will be required for all positions with financial responsibilities. For additional information about the credit check criteria, visit the UGA Credit Background Check website.
Background Investigation Policy	Offers of employment are contingent upon completion of a background investigation including, a criminal background check demonstrating your eligibility for employment with the University of Georgia; confirmation of the credentials and employment history reflected in your application materials (including reference checks) as they relate to the job-based requirements of the position applied for; and, if applicable, a satisfactory credit check. You may also be subject to a pre-employment drug test for positions with high-risk responsibilities, if applicable. Please visit the UGA Background Check website.

Duties/Responsibilities

Beamline Automation

Work as part of the SER-CAT operations development team to research and propose upgrades to the various beamline automated systems.
Provide engineering support for the installation and commissioning of new beamline automation equipment which includes (but not limited to) sample mounting automation and data collection/processing automation.
Oversee the procurement of new beamline automation equipment and supplies.
Supervise/Participate in the maintenance, trouble shooting, and repair of the beamline automation hardware, which includes (but not limited to) Sample changers, Sample diffractometers and detector supports.

Percentage of time

Duties/Responsibilities

Motor Drive Systems

Work as part of the SER-CAT operations development team to research and propose upgrades to the various beamline motion control systems.
Supervise/Participate in the maintenance, trouble shooting, and repair of the beamline motion control hardware, which includes (but not limited to) delta-tau motion controllers, various servo and stepper motors as well their associated current amplifiers and drivers.
Oversee the procurement of new motion control equipment and supplies.

Percentage of time

Duties/Responsibilities

Programming control systems such as Galil, PMAC and ACS

Work as part of the SER-CAT operations development team to research and propose upgrades to the various beamline motion control systems.
Supervise/Participate in the maintenance, trouble shooting and repair of the beamline control systems which include (but not limited to) Beamline equipment protection systems, which are comprised of various measurement devices from all of the beamline systems which are controlled by Allen Bradley PLCs.

Percentage of time

Duties/Responsibilities

User interface design/implementation

The candidate will use CAD/CAM systems for the design/implementation of beamline components and design/fabrication, and installation and other experimental components.
Supervise/Participate in the documentation of new beamline capabilities.
Prepares and presents technical reports, research articles and poster presentation to members, supervisors and the research community.

Percentage of time