Equal Opportunity and Excellence in Education and Employment:
Chico State is a diverse community of individuals who represent many perspectives, beliefs, and identities, committed to fostering an inclusive, respectful, and intellectually vibrant environment. We cultivate a culture of open dialogue, mutual respect, and belonging to support educational excellence and student success. Through academic programs, student organizations and activities, faculty initiatives, and community partnerships, we encourage meaningful engagement with diverse perspectives. As a higher education institution, we are dedicated to advancing knowledge and empowering individuals to reach their full potential by prioritizing inclusive curriculum development, faculty and staff training, student mentorship, and comprehensive support programs. At California State University, Chico, excellence is built on merit, talent, diversity, accessibility, and equal opportunity for all. The ideal candidate will embrace our values predicated on the primacy of student success and equitable learning and working environments.
Position Title: Student Research Assistant
College/Unit: EECE
Department/School: MMEM
Application Deadline: Open until filled
Seasonal Role Working Dates: 10/12/26-05/31/27
Pay Range: $18.00 per hour
Location Type: LANG 122
Role Description:
The MMEM Department in the College of EEC is collecting application materials for Support experimental and computational research investigating the thermal and fluid behavior of small-scale rocket systems. The research combines CFD and thermal simulations with instrumentation, static-fire testing, and experimental data analysis to evaluate rocket motor temperatures, exhaust conditions, thrust, and heat-transfer behavior.
ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:
•Conduct background research on rocket heat transfer, compressible flow, CFD, thermal analysis, sensors, and data-acquisition systems.
•Develop and run CFD and thermal simulations using Ansys Fluent and other Ansys analysis tools.
•Assist with selection, calibration, installation, and testing of thermocouples, load cells, and data-acquisition equipment.
•Assist with the design and assembly of rocket motor static-fire test and instrumentation systems.
•Conduct controlled static-fire experiments and collect temperature and thrust measurements.
•Process and analyze experimental and simulation data using MATLAB.
•Compare experimental measurements with computational predictions and assist with refinement of numerical models.
•Document research procedures, simulation methods, experimental results, and data analysis; assist with technical reports, presentations, and conference materials.
Description of Duties:
10-20 hours per week / 80-125 max
Minimum Qualifications:
Current Chico State undergraduate student in Mechanical Engineering, Mechatronic Engineering, or a related engineering discipline. Interest in thermal-fluid sciences, aerospace/rocket propulsion, experimental research, and computational modeling is preferred. Experience with MATLAB, Ansys, CAD, instrumentation, or data acquisition is desirable but not required. Ability to work effectively as part of a research team and follow laboratory and testing safety procedures is required.
Applicants must provide:
- Resume
- (Cover letter) - optional
- (Class schedule / availability) - optional
Additional information may be requested at a later time. All applicants must apply online, applications submitted via email or in-person to the department will not be considered.
Notification Procedure:
Email or phone call
Job-related questions should be directed to:
Yang Chao
ychao@csuchico.edu
Additional Information:
All work must be performed within the State of California.
Compliance training completion (approximately 4 hours of work time) is required of this position within the first 30 days of work.
Education Code 89521 Requirements: Applicants will be required to disclose whether they have received a final administrative decision or final judicial decision determining that they have committed sexual harassment within the last 7 years only after a determination is made that they meet the minimum qualifications for the position, and before an offer of employment is extended. Applicants who reach the final stages of the application process must also sign a release form that authorizes the release of information by the applicant’s current and/or former employers to the CSU concerning any substantiated allegations of misconduct.
For disability-related accommodations, please call the ADA Coordinator at (530) 898-5959.
All positions are contingent on funding.
Chico State is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We consider qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, ancestry, age, sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, genetic information, medical condition, disability, marital status, or protected veteran status and only employ individuals authorized to work in the U.S.
All university programs and activities are open and available to all regardless of race, sex, color, ethnicity, or national origin. Consistent with California law and federal civil rights laws, California State University, Chico provides equal opportunity in education and employment without unlawful discrimination or preferential treatment based on race, sex, color, ethnicity, or national origin. Our commitment to equal opportunity means ensuring that every student and employee has access to the resources and support they need to thrive and succeed in a university environment and in their communities. California State University, Chico complies with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, the California Equity in Higher Education Act, California’s Proposition 209 (Art. I, Section 31 of the California Constitution), other applicable state and federal anti-discrimination laws, and CSU’s Nondiscrimination Policy. We prohibit discriminatory preferential treatment, segregation based on race or on any other protected status, and all forms of discrimination, harassment, and retaliation in all university programs, policies, and practices.
Chico State’s Annual Security Report includes summaries of institutional policy relating to campus safety, drug and alcohol use, sexual assault, and other matters. The report is published in compliance with the Clery Act and includes three years of certain crime statistics that occurred in Clery Act defined geography. A paper copy of the report may be requested in person at the Chico State Police Department or by calling 530-898-5555. It is also available on the web at Annual Security & Fire Safety Report.
