Research Assistant

• Job Type: Support Staff - Non-Union
• Bargaining Unit:
• Regular/Temporary: Regular
• End Date if Temporary:
• Hours Per Week: 35
• Standard Work Schedule:
• Building: Morningside
• Salary Range: $23.73 - $29.23

Position Summary

The Research Assistant will work in the Molecular and Microscale Bioengineering Laboratory of Samuel Sia. The Samuel Sia lab develops technologies for point-of-care blood tests, wearable sensors, implantable devices, and cell-based therapy. The team is looking for a highly motivated Research Assistant to work on fabrication of a bioelectronic device in the clean room.
The Research Assistant must show competence and independence in performing tasks. Strong experimental skills and experience in the area of the project are encouraged. The Research Assistant is expected to work closely with the PI, lab members, and collaborators.

Responsibilities

Fabrication (45%):
 Photolithography (contact/flood exposure and maskless/direct-write)
 Thin-film deposition (e-beam evaporation, sputtering)
 Lift-off process development and optimization
 Plasma processing (ashing, descum, RIE dry etching)
 Polymer (polyimide) processing and multilayer stack integration
 Laser processing (excimer substrate release)

Cleanroom/Assurance/Compliance (45%):
 Cleanroom protocols and contamination control (ISO Class environment)
 Process documentation and SOP adherence
 Optical inspection and basic metrology
 Troubleshooting process defects (adhesion failures, resist residue, etch non-uniformity)

Laboratory/Other (10%):
 Provide support across multiple concurrent laboratory projects if needed including cross-
functional collaboration with graduate students, postdocs, and external collaborators.
 Attend monthly group meetings to present progress and relevant research findings.
 Performs related duties and responsibilities as assigned/requested.

Minimum Qualifications

Bachelors degree required in a scientific discipline.

Equal Opportunity Employer / Disability / Veteran

Columbia University is committed to the hiring of qualified local residents.