2004 positions have been filled.
See Current Opportunities for current listings
Join the CNSE Team and
Realize The Dream
Looking for a Summer Job that could Jump-Start your Career in Science,
Engineering or Technology?
The NDSU Center for Nanoscale Science and Engineering has Undergraduate Research Assistant Positions
Available Immediately!
NDSU’s Center for Nanoscale Science and Engineering (CNSE) is an interdisciplinary research entity located in the new Research
2 facility in the NDSU Research and Technology Park. This year CNSE is conducting research on six Department of Defense
(DoD)-sponsored programs in the areas of microsensors, wireless electronics miniaturization, coatings for ships and aircraft,
superhard coatings, and spin electronics in polymer materials. With its Research Park location, CNSE is well-positioned to
promote commercialization of the intellectual property developed through these DoD projects.
A key objective of CNSE is to provide NDSU undergraduates with opportunities to participate in research, development, and
technology deployment activities through its Undergraduate Research Assistant (UGRA) positions. Students work with cuttingedge equipment, processes and facilities, and alongside CNSE scientists, engineers, graduate students and faculty.
Participation at this level also offers proactive students the chance to become contributing members of teams that strive to realize
technology transfer and commercialization of the team’s research, which could lead to formation of small businesses in the Red
River Valley Research Corridor.
Particulars of UGRA employment:
 Full-time (40 hr/week) appointment in summer, and minimum of 10 hr/week during academic year;
 Candidates commit to one-year term with follow-on support dependent upon available funding;


CNSE salaries are quite competitive, with specific rate consistent with qualifications and experience; and,
UGRAs learn intellection property protection best practices, and agree to confidentially requirements of partner companies.
UGRA Position Descriptions
Position #
2004-5
Technical Area
Organic/polymer
synthesis lab in Research
1 or Research 2
2004-6
Organic/polymer
synthesis lab in Research
1 or Research 2
2004-7
Organic/polymer
synthesis lab in Research
1 or Research 2
2004-8
Applied Materials
Chemistry position in
support of a new NDSU
project in the area of
photovoltaic electronic
materials in Research 2.
Applied Materials
Chemistry and
Engineering position in
support of Alien
Technologies-related
project in Research 2.
Applied Electrical
Engineering position in
support of Alien
Technologies-related
project in Research 2.
Chip Scale Package
Prototype Assembly line
in Research 2 Cleanroom
Semiconductor Prototype
Assembly line in
Research 2 Cleanroom
Surface Mount Assembly
line in STTC and in
Research 2 Cleanroom
Cleanroom Maintenance
and Equipment
Maintenance in
Research 2
2004-9
2004-10
2004-11
2004-12
2004-13
2004-14
&
2004-15
Specific Duties
Combinatorial Chemistry Lab UGRA for computer programming of robotic chemistry lab
equipment and the operation of such equipment to carry out experiments. Must have the
aptitude for hi-level software programming. VB and VB.net skills would be preferred. Full
time in summer 15-20 hours during school year.
Combinatorial Chemistry Equipment Fabrication UGRA to aid in the assembly and
development of prototype lab equipment. Must possess ability to work with shop tools in
order as well as the ability to learn LabView and AutoCad software. Full time in summer 1520 hours during school year.
Assist researchers with
1) synthesis of organic and organometallic compounds;
2) acquisition of spectroscopic data
3) documentation of research operations.
Focus is the development of a novel technique for the formation of large-grained
chalcogenide films using small-grained precursor layers. Job elements include: (1)
experimentation using novel growth technique; (2) characterization of post-treated films
including optical microscopy (for crystal habit) and adhesion testing; and, (3) coordination of
results and sample exchange with the industrial partner, ITN Energy Systems
(Wheat Ridge, CO).
Focus is the optimization of passive electronic device components through the development
of thick film pastes. Job elements to include: (1) formulation and rheological characterization
of precursor pastes; (2) screen printing and processing of pastes to give passive components;
(3) tribological (i.e., adhesion) and morphological (i.e., linewidths/heights via Dektak)
characterization of passives and presentation of information to team.
Requirements
Strong computer/
electrical skills. Prefer
Sophomore to Junior.
Focus is using GHz characterization of coplanar waveguides as a means of optimizing
performance of passive device components. Job elements to include: (1) design and
implementation of a modular SMA-based microwave test fixture; (2) develop standard
operating procedure for testing devices in the modular test fixture using a network analyzer
with PC-interface; (3) collection of test data and presentation of information to team.
Assist engineers with documentation of operating procedures for equipment and processes;
Assist engineers with experimentation set-up and execution; assist engineers with
characterization of process parameters; assist with cleaning and maintenance of equipment.
Assist engineers with documentation of operating procedures for equipment and processes;
Assist engineers with experimentation set-up and execution; assist engineers with
characterization of process parameters; assist with cleaning and maintenance of equipment.
Assist engineers with documentation of operating procedures for equipment and processes;
Assist engineers with experimentation set-up and execution; assist engineers with
characterization of process parameters; assist with cleaning and maintenance of equipment.
Assist the Facilities manager in installation and maintenance of various pieces of cleanroom
infrastructure. This position will also begin the process of setting up the preventive
maintenance system for the cleanroom. Some responsibilities include, purchasing cleanroom
supplies, maintaining Material Data Sheets (MSDS), installing equipment, and performing
routine checks.
Electrical engineering
background with aptitude
for test equipment design
and operation. Junior
preferred.
Science or Engineering
major
Strong computer/
electrical skills. Prefer
Sophomore to Junior.
General chemistry
required. Analytical or
organic chemistry
preferred.
General chemistry
laboratory skills required.
Interest in alternative
energy and Sophomore or
Junior preferred.
General chemistry
laboratory skills required.
Polymers and coatings
interest and Sophomore
or Junior preferred.
Science or Engineering
major
Science or Engineering
major
Science or Engineering
major or Facilities
Management or
Construction
Management majors
To apply, send a cover letter and resume to Shelly Sandstrom, NDSU, 1805 NDSU Research Park Drive, Fargo, ND
58102 or via email at Shelly.Sandstrom@ndsu.nodak.edu. The cover letter should clearly state the position number(s) of
interest. Include a brief summary of your current career aspirations.
Review of the applications and interviews will begin April 14th, with decisions by April 23. Positions will begin on or
before June 1st. Some positions may require U.S. citizenship or permanent residency. For more information on CNSE, go
to www.ndsu.nodak.edu/cnse. Please call Shelly Sandstrom @ 231-5824 with any questions.