Overview:

The Georgia Tech Research Institute (GTRI) is the nonprofit, applied research division of the Georgia Institute of Technology (Georgia Tech). Founded in 1934 as the Engineering Experiment Station, GTRI has grown to more than 2,900 employees, supporting eight laboratories in over 20 locations around the country and performing more than $940 million of problem-solving research annually for government and industry. GTRI's renowned researchers combine science, engineering, economics, policy, and technical expertise to solve complex problems for the U.S. federal government, state, and industry.   

Georgia Tech's Mission and Values

Georgia Tech's mission is to develop leaders who advance technology and improve the human condition. The Institute has nine key values that are foundational to everything we do: 

1. Students are our top priority.
2. We strive for excellence.
3. We thrive on diversity.
4. We celebrate collaboration.
5. We champion innovation.
6. We safeguard freedom of inquiry and expression.
7. We nurture the wellbeing of our community.
8. We act ethically.
9. We are responsible stewards.

Over the next decade, Georgia Tech will become an example of inclusive innovation, a leading technological research university of unmatched scale, relentlessly committed to serving the public good; breaking new ground in addressing the biggest local, national, and global challenges and opportunities of our time; making technology broadly accessible; and developing exceptional, principled leaders from all backgrounds ready to produce novel ideas and create solutions with real human impact.

Job Description

The Photonics and Materials Division (PMD) currently performs advanced research and development that involves the creation of new material and micro-electronic device technologies, spacecraft hardware, electronic integrated circuits, and RF/millimeter-wave devices. The components and sub-systems are used in a variety of systems and applications, primarily for aerospace and national security platforms. The successful candidate will join the Electro Optical Systems Laboratory (EOSL) of Georgia Tech Research Institute (GTRI) as a student assistant during Fall 2026 semester to support GTRI's research portfolio in the areas of advanced materials fabrication and characterization, thin film deposition, and heterogeneous material integration and testing.

Job Duties:

1. Create, analyze and characterize various materials, devices for national security applications.

2. Work with common electronic packaging equipment such as: spectrometers, microscopes, oscilloscopes, etc.

3. Assist in other activities as directed.

Required Minimum Qualifications

• Hands on experience with laboratory testing tools including microscopes and spectrometers.
• Hands on experience with computers and typical software.

Student Assistant/Research Assistant

• Pursuing a Bachelor’s degree at Georgia Tech in Material Science, Aerospace Engineering , Mechanical Engineering , Biomedical Engineering, Electrical Engineering or related field
• Must be registered for at least 6 credit hours with your university
• 3.0 or higher cumulative GPA

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in 1 or more programming languages
• Task / team leadership experience
• Strong math skills and ability to learn complex engineering concepts
• Ability to clearly communicate technical ideas

Hours per Week

9–12 hours per week

U.S. Persons Requirements

Due to our research contracts with the US federal government, candidates for this position are required to be US Persons.

Clearance Type Required

None

Housing and Relocation

Housing and relocation assistance are not available for this position.

The Georgia Institute of Technology (Georgia Tech) is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer. The University is committed to maintaining a fair and respectful environment for all. To that end, and in accordance with federal and state law, Board of Regents policy, and University policy, Georgia Tech provides equal opportunity to all faculty, staff, students, and all other members of the Georgia Tech community, including applicants for admission and/or employment, contractors, volunteers, and participants in institutional programs, activities, or services.  Georgia Tech complies with all applicable laws and regulations governing equal opportunity in the workplace and in educational activities.

Georgia Tech prohibits discrimination, including discriminatory harassment, on the basis of race, ethnicity, ancestry, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, age, disability, genetics, or veteran status in its programs, activities, employment, and admissions.  This prohibition applies to faculty, staff, students, and all other members of the Georgia Tech community, including affiliates, invitees, and guests. Further, Georgia Tech prohibits citizenship status, immigration status, and national origin discrimination in hiring, firing, and recruitment, except where such restrictions are required in order to comply with law, regulation, executive order, or Attorney General directive, or where they are required by Federal, State, or local government contract.

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 on-line 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 on-line at https://www.usg.edu/policymanual/section6/C2653.