Robotics Facility Administrator

The Sarah and John Graves Institute for Robotics and Autonomy at the University of Tulsa invites applications for a Robotics Facility Administrator. The Institute was founded in 2024 and explores robot design, prototyping, communication, interaction, safety, and security. Its research focuses on autonomous robotic and software systems that solve industrial and societal problems. The Institute’s initial emphasis is on assistive, cooperative robotics for people who are aging in place. It features an interdisciplinary team that includes faculty in computer science, kinesiology, and mechanical engineering; graduate and undergraduate students; and commercial partners. The Robotics Facility Administrator will serve as a lynchpin for research facilitation, by maintaining standards of excellence and supporting the research teams within the facility.

The University of Tulsa is a small, private research university with approximately 4,000 undergraduate and graduate students and Division I athletics. It is located in midtown Tulsa, approximately two miles from downtown. Both areas are undergoing an exciting period of growth and are home to vibrant art and music scenes. Tulsa is a mid-sized city (city population ~400,000; metro area ~1M), family-friendly, affordable place to live, with easy access to urban, suburban, and rural areas. The city of Tulsa is nestled in an area where the Muscogee Creek, Cherokee, and Osage tribal territories share a common boundary. Tulsa is also home to The Gathering Place, an expansive riverside park, that Time magazine calls “One of the World’s Greatest Places” (https://www.gatheringplace.org/). Oklahoma is geographically diverse, including plains, grasslands, rocky mesas, and mountains.

Laboratory Operations and Infrastructure

Maintain robotics workspaces and testing areas

Manage inventory of parts, sensors, actuators, batteries, tools, and consumables

Order and receive equipment and track budgets for supplies

Maintain equipment and station scheduling and checkout systems

Organize storage and documentation systems

Coordinate equipment repairs and vendor support

Assist with facility improvements and laboratory organization

Supporting technology demonstrations for sponsors and industry partners

Ensure facility upkeep and cleanliness, including by working with facilities and other support services to those ends

Research and Experiment Support

Prepare robots for experiments

Set up test environments

Maintain technical records and documentation supporting commercialization activities

Safety and Compliance

Maintain laboratory safety protocols

Train new users on equipment

Develop instructional materials for user support

Develop standard operating procedures

Conduct safety inspections

Ensure compliance with institutional and grant funding requirements

Oversee chemical, battery, and electronic waste disposal

Technical Support for Research Projects

Mechanical Support

Assemble robotic platforms

Aid in the design and fabrication components

Maintain machine shop tools

Perform basic machining, drilling, cutting, and 3D printing

Build experimental fixtures and test rigs

Determine when to outsource design and fabrication and perform follow-through

Electrical Support

Wire robotic systems

Build cable harnesses

Solder components

Troubleshoot power systems

Maintain laboratory electronics

Software Support

Deploy robotics software

Install operating systems and development environments

Maintain ROS (Robot Operating System) infrastructure

Assist with sensor integration

Help configure data-collection systems

Technical Skills

Mechanical assembly and fabrication

CAD software (SolidWorks, Fusion 360, Onshape)

3D printing

CNC machining

Embedded systems

Electronics troubleshooting

Soldering

Linux, Python, ROS / ROS2

Sensor integration

Networking

Data acquisition systems

Other Skills

Laboratory record keeping

Good Communication and organization

Customer-service mindset

The University of Tulsa is a student-centered research university that cultivates interconnected learning experiences to explore complex ideas and create new knowledge in a spirit of free inquiry. Guided by our commitment to service and inclusion, we prepare individuals to make meaningful contributions to our campus, our community, and our world.

The University endeavors to create and nurture an informed and inclusive environment in its workplace and educational programs. Affirmative action and equal employment opportunity are integral parts of the University not just because they are legally mandated, but because we recognize that the present and future strength of the university is based primarily on people and their skills, experience, and potential. The University does not discriminate in access to, or treatment or employment in, its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, age, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national or ethnic origin, veteran status, disability, genetic information, ancestry, or marital status. The University seeks to recruit, select, and promote students, faculty, and all other employees on the basis of individual merit.