Student Research Assistant – Applied Acoustics & Data Acquisition

Position Overview

We are looking for a motivated undergraduate or graduate student to join our research team starting Spring/Summer 2026 as a Student Research Assistant in the areas of applied acoustics, vibrations, and experimental data acquisition.

Our group works closely with industry partners on practical engineering problems related to medical devices, non-destructive testing (NDT), and other engineered systems, with a strong emphasis on hands-on laboratory work and measurement-based research.

The project involves experimental testing of medical device components used in surgical environments, where sound and vibration behavior play an important role in performance and user experience. In this role, you will conduct acoustic measurements in an anechoic chamber (a specially designed room that minimizes sound reflections), contributing to the collection of high-quality experimental data used in real product development.

This position is well suited for students who are comfortable working with hands-on measurements, sensors, and data acquisition, and who are interested in understanding how sound and vibration are investigated in practical, real-world engineering contexts.

Primary Responsibilities

• Assist with experimental testing of sound power generated from surgical equipment

• Work hands-on with microphones, vibration sensors, and other measurement hardware during testing

• Set up experiments and prepare test configurations for acoustic and vibration measurements

• Operate data acquisition systems and record time-based measurement data

• Perform basic checks to ensure data quality (e.g., appropriate signal levels, background noise, sensor performance)

• Organize experimental data and assist with basic documentation and test summaries

Technical Scope & What You’ll Learn
 

• How sound and vibration are measured in real engineering systems

• Hands-on use of sensors, instrumentation, and data acquisition hardware

• Collecting and working with time-domain measurement data

• Basic interpretation of signals in time and frequency domains

• How experimental data supports engineering decisions in industry projects

• The workflow of industry-sponsored research from testing to deliverables

Desired Qualifications

• Strong interest in experimental acoustics, vibrations, or mechanics

• Ability to follow detailed test procedures with high attention to detail

• Comfortable working hands-on with physical hardware in a laboratory environment

Preferred Qualifications

• •  Junior, Senior, or Masters student in Mechanical Engineering, or a related field

  • Prior experience with data acquisition or experimental testing using LabView or a similar environment

  • Familiarity with using MATLAB to process and plot experimental data

    • Basic familiarity with:

    • Signals and systems concepts

    • FFT and frequency-domain interpretation

    • Sensors such as microphones and accelerometers

  • Interest in medical devices, applied research, or industrial R&D

Compensation & Commitment

• Paid part-time/COOP positions are available for qualified undergraduate students or Master of Engineering (MEng) students.

• Unpaid or for-credit arrangements may be considered depending on the student’s background, experience, and academic requirements

How to Apply

Please submit:

·         A brief resume (PDF)

·         A short statement describing your interest and any relevant lab or technical experience

Contact

Dr. Ahmed Allam
Department of Mechanical & Materials Engineering
University of Cincinnati
allamad@ucmail.uc.edu 

Metasonics Lab | Applied Acoustics Lab