Posting Details
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Posting Summary
Logo Posting Number RTF00125PO26 USC Market Title Research Associate Link to USC Market Title https://uscjobs.sc.edu/titles/156386 Business Title (Internal Title) Research Associate Campus Columbia Work County Richland College/Division College of Engineering and Computing Department CEC Chemical Engineering Anticipated Hiring Range To commensurate with qualifications Location of Vacancy Part/Full Time Full Time Hours per Week 40 Work Schedule
Type of Staff Position Staff Research Grant (SRGP) Basis 12 months Job Search Category Other Professional
About USC
About University of South Carolina
From the Upstate to the Lowcountry, the University of South Carolina system is transforming the lives of South Carolinians through the impact of our eight institutions and 20 locations throughout the state. More than 50,000 students are enrolled at one of eight institutions, including the research campus in Columbia and comprehensive four-year universities in Aiken, Upstate and Beaufort. In addition, our Palmetto College campuses in Salkehatchie, Union, Lancaster and Sumter enable students to earn associate or bachelor's degrees through a combination of in-person, online or blended learning. All of our system institutions place strong emphasis on service - helping to build healthier, more educated communities in South Carolina and beyond.
Benefits for Research Grant or Time-Limited Positions Are Indicated Below
The University of South Carolina (UofSC), through the State of SC and Public Employee Benefit Authority (PEBA), offers employees a valuable benefits package, including health and life insurance, generous paid leave and retirement programs. To learn more about UofSC benefits, access the "Working at USC" section on the Applicant Portal at https://uscjobs.sc.edu. Research Grant or Time-limited positions may be eligible for all, some, or no benefits, based on the grant or project funding.
South Carolina Retirement Yes State Insurance Programs Yes Annual Leave Yes Sick Leave Yes
Position Description
Advertised Job Summary
Conduct research on cyberphysical electric grid security, data-driven and AI-based power/energy management of electric grid, and electric grid resilience in Grid Resiliency Lab
Job Related Minimum Required Education and Experience
Required Certification, Licensure/Other Credentials Preferred Qualifications
Knowledge/Skills/Abilities
Job Duties
Job Duty
Conduct research focused on communication networks, control system architectures, edge devices, and edge‑to‑cloud integration to enhance system protection and reliability. Perform resilience analyses addressing the impacts of variable generation, electronic loads, extreme weather events, power electronics behavior, and energy‑storage system dynamics. Develop and evaluate energy‑management strategies using advanced AI techniques, including reinforcement learning and hybrid classical‑quantum optimization methods. Build, simulate, and validate complex power‑system and control‑system models using tools such as MATLAB/Simulink, PSCAD, and ANSYS. Conduct research on cyber-physical electric grid security, data-driven and AI-based energy management, and electric grid resilience. Develop and validate simulation models, design hardware-in-the-loop test setups, and apply methods to microgrids, data centers, and grid-connected systems.
Essential Function Yes Percentage of Time 70 Job Duty
Prepare technical reports, journal articles, and conference papers documenting project results. Responsible for producing sponsor reports that clearly describe modeling approaches, implementation methods, experimental validation, and key findings. Present research results to internal research teams, external collaborators, and stakeholders. Prepare and submit manuscripts to major IEEE conferences and high-impact peer-reviewed journals, and contribute to proposal preparation. Support the development of new research directions aligned with ongoing projects.
Essential Function Yes Percentage of Time 15 Job Duty
Participate in project meetings, technical discussions, and research planning with internal team members and external collaborators, to include the Principal Investigator, research faculty, postdoctoral fellows, graduate and undergraduate students, Savannah River National Laboratory, federal agency partners, and industry sponsors. Contribute to project coordination, integration of research tasks across teams, and development of new collaborative initiatives.
Essential Function Yes Percentage of Time 10 Job Duty
Mentor students and support laboratory activities related to sponsored research projects and other duties as assigned.
Essential Function Yes Percentage of Time 5
Position Attributes
Hazardous weather category Non-Essential Employees in Safety-Sensitive or Security-Sensitive positions will be subject to pre-employment and post-employment drug testing in accordance with University policy HR 1.95 Drug and Alcohol Testing. No
Posting Detail Information
Number of Vacancies 1 Desired Start Date 07/01/2026 Position End Date 06/30/2027 Job Open Date 06/04/2026 Job Close Date 06/11/2026 Open Until Filled No Special Instructions to Applicant
Applicants must provide detailed work history in the employment history section of their application and upload a copy of their c.v.
Positions are advertised for a minimum of five (5) business days on our job website. After five (5) business days, positions can be closed at the discretion of the department at any time. This employment site is updated on a regular basis. The length of the recruitment and screening process may vary from position to position, depending upon a variety of factors. Should review of your qualifications result in a decision to pursue your candidacy, you will be contacted by phone or email.
We are only accepting applications submitted by June 11, 2026.
Quicklink for Posting https://uscjobs.sc.edu/postings/207382 EEO Statement
The University of South Carolina does not discriminate in educational or employment opportunities or decisions for qualified persons on the basis of age, ancestry, citizenship status, color, disability, ethnicity, familial status, gender (including transgender), gender identity or expression, genetic information, HIV/AIDs status, military status, national origin, pregnancy (false pregnancy, termination of pregnancy, childbirth, recovery therefrom or related medical conditions, breastfeeding), race, religion (including religious dress and grooming practices), sex, sexual orientation, veteran status, or any other bases under federal, state, local law, or regulations.
Supplemental Questions
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Applicant Documents
Required Documents
Optional Documents