Student Employment IoT and Environmental Sensing Research Assistant

Advertising Department

WATER RESOURCES CENTER

Academic Term/Year

SUMMER 2026

Position Title Student Employment - IoT and Environmental Sensing Research Assistant Posting Number 08081 Position Number 08081 Student Job Category Student - Hourly Job Number of Vacancies 1 Job Description ECU Water Resources Center is seeking a highly motivated and creative engineering student to help rethink how environmental sensors are deployed in the field, particularly in challenging aquatic environments. This work focuses on the design and fabrication of low-cost, robust, and easily reproducible deployment systems that can be paired with environmental sensing platforms for hydrologic and environmental research. The goal is to develop solutions that make field deployment faster, more reliable, and less labor-intensive. The selected student will gain hands-on experience in designing, prototyping, and testing innovative deployment systems, potentially involving mechanical design, 3D printing, and the integration of off-the-shelf components. Working closely with research mentors, the student will apply engineering principles to real-world field conditions and contribute to ongoing environmental monitoring projects.

Key Responsibilities:

Design & Manufacturing:

Design prototypes and manufacture the mechanical assemblies for sensor deployment.

Component Selection:

Evaluate and select off-the-shelf and custom-fabricated components. Develop and test concepts using 3D printing and rapid prototyping tools.

Field Testing:

Participate in field testing and performance evaluation in hydrologic environments.

Documentation:

Document designs and provide recommendations for implementation and future scalability.

Expected Wages:

$15-$20/hour, depending on qualifications and experience. Preferred (Majors, Experience, GPA, etc.)

Desired Skills & Qualifications:

Undergraduate or graduate student in Mechanical Engineering or a related field. Experience with Fusion 360 (preferred) and comfortable using power tools. Interest in hands-on, field-oriented engineering challenges. Strong critical thinking skills to propose innovative, practical solutions. Ability to balance cost, durability, and reproducibility in design. Special Instructions to

Applicant To Apply:

upload your resume, a brief cover letter, and contact information for two references.